1st Annual Bike for Beck Kicks Off May 19

Beck Center for the Arts and Connect to Beck (C2B) are hosting the first annual Bike for Beck tour Saturday, 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 led by the Beck Center Festival Band which begins at 11:45 a.m. and proceeds through the surrounding neighborhood. Parade participants are encouraged to use their creativity and decorate their bikes artistically. 

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. The Beck Café will unveil a bicycle-themed exhibit and students from Virginia Marti College of Art & Design will design widow displays in Beck Center's main building. In addition, the Red Stage will host live music by Fireside and the Revolution Brass Band. Popular food trucks, such as Panzone Forte! Wood Fire Pizza, will make their first-time appearance and other local fare will be served. 

Register in advance and save! Cyclists may register for the bike tour online at bikeforbeck.org or call 216.521.2540 x10. Advance registration is $35 per cyclist until May 1, 2012 and includes an event t-shirt. After May 1, the cost increases to $40 per cyclist. In-person registration and cyclist sign-in 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.

For more information about Bike for Beck, including a complete list of activities and route information, visit bikeforbeck.org or call 216.521.2540 x10. 

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