Beck Center for the Arts and Connect to Beck Present BIKE FOR BECK Today, 5/19

Beck Center for the Arts and Connect to Beck (C2B) are hosting the first annual Bike for Beck tour today, May 19, 2012. Cyclists of all ages are invited to participate. The bike tour begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Beck Center, located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, and continues through the Metroparks. Bike for Beck is followed by an afternoon of arts and entertainment on the Beck Center campus. Proceeds from this fundraising event benefit Beck Center's arts education programs.

"Bike for Beck is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Lakewood's bikeability while introducing Beck Center to new audiences in a fun, healthy and creative way," said Lucinda Einhouse, Beck Center President and CEO. According to the American Community Survey, Lakewood ranked the number one city in the State of Ohio for bikeability. Lakewood City Council recently approved a bicycle master plan to improve their bike-friendly community for cyclists. "Events like Bike for Beck build on the fact that Lakewood is a great bicycle community and we are all working hard to make it even better." added Bryce Sylvester, Planner for the City of Lakewood.

Cyclists may choose from various route lengths designed for all skill levels including a 12-mile, 25-mile, and 60-mile tours. Novice cyclists may choose to participate in "Music in Motion," a 1/2-mile bike parade which begins at 11:45 a.m. and proceeds through the surrounding neighborhood. Parade participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes artistically and judges will be on-hand to award prizes to the most creative entries.

An after-tour event, Bike for Beck Fest, will be held on the Beck Center grounds throughout the day for bike participants, their families, and the community. Bicycle-related activities will include safety and maintenance demonstrations by Bike Lakewood and RTA will conduct bike loading demonstrations on the Community Bus. Guests will be treated to an exhibition of antique bicycles dating from 1900 through 1960 courtesy of SPIN Bike Shop, and the Beck Café will unveil a bicycle-themed exhibit. In addition, the Red Stage will host live music by Fireside, The Supposed So, and Revolution Brass Band; popular food trucks Fired Up Taco Truck and Pranzo Forno Wood Fired Pizza will be also be onsite throughout the afternoon.

Cyclists and parade participants may register online at bikeforbeck.org or call 216.521.2540 x10. Registration is $40 per cyclist and includes an event t-shirt to the first 200 cyclists. In-person registration begins at 9 a.m. the day of the event. The parade participation fee is $5 per person for riders ages 12 and older. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult, with a maximum of three children per each paid adult. Bike for Beck Fest is free and open to the public, except for food and beverage costs.

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