Provider: Parkersburg Bike Advisory Board

Many years ago, a grant-funded neighborhood activity program I was involved in decided we wanted a bike route across Parkersburg to help folks in our two neighborhoods, which were 6 miles apart, ride their bikes to each others locations. So we invited a bunch of folks to a meeting and formed the Mid-Ohio Valley Bicycle Council. That meeting was held June 4, 2008. The support for the bikeway was so strong the City of Parkersburg worked with the council and converted it into a part of its government by creating the Parkersburg Bicycle Advisory Board. Wow! What a show of support and commitment to bicycling.

Since the creation of the board, our outreach has expanded and we have adopted the League of American Bicyclists Blueprint to a bike-friendly community. After years of planning, writing grants for signage, many many trips on the proposed route, community meetings with the route displayed for education and comment, the signs are up for a portion of the bikeway. Wow! While it is a small part of a big puzzle it is a wonderful display to see in our community. I am so grateful for the help and support of the city and citizens in our community who have helped us get this far.

There is still so much to do and we are always looking for help. If you would like to help us, we would welcome your assistance. Feel free to drop me an email at kimberlyjo@theopam.com with any questions, comments, suggestions, and desires to join our work.

To all of those who have helped us get to this point, thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Ride on!