Community: Mid-Ohio Valley

On November 1, 2008, seventy-four cyclists of all ages rode through the streets of Parkersburg with a cycling police escort of three of the City of Parkersburg’s officers.

 

It was stellar. At one point when we were riding down Grand Central Avenue, a very busy 6-lane roadway, I glanced over at a motorist who was being blocked from turning because of the mass. I thought she might be upset but instead she was smiling from ear to ear, bouncing up and down in her seat, and applauding! It was an awesome and uplifting sight! It is the most memorable moment of the event for me.

 

The event was organized by the Mid-Ohio Valley Bicycle Council, an informal group of biking and alternate transportation advocate volunteers coordinated by Adventure Pursuit. Adventure Pursuit currently has grant funding to provide resources to help folks get more active in the streets of their own neighborhoods. The Council was formed to help address issues that may make riding bicycles in the neighborhoods uncomfortable.

 

The Council was formed in June of 2008 and has been focusing on developing a community riding program on Parkersburg’s south side. Local cycling volunteers have been riding with children in the Homecrest neighborhood. Those children were a part of the critical mass ride and their pride showed as they rode through their own streets with all those other bikers! Tammy, mother of two of the riders and repeat volunteer for the cause told me her children we very excited about the ride!

 

The Parkersburg Police were amazing! The coordination was phenomenal! When we left the Grand Central Mall, the Vienna Police had stopped traffic to allow the mass to enter the highway together. We were given a complete police escort through the entire event and there is no doubt it and the support and encouragement of the Parkersburg Police played a huge role in the phenomenal atmosphere of the event. I thanked Captain Keith every chance I got. His most memorable response to me was, “We love this.”

 

There were so many people who played a role in organizing the event. Ben Smith and Barry Backus, two AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers worked diligently coordinating and connecting volunteers. Greg Garrett, John Pelligran and James Coleman all played roles in planning the course. All area bike groups played a tremendous role in getting the word out and providing suggestions and support! Awareness material was created and donated by Stonewall Marketing. Grant funding provided by the Bernard McDonough Foundation, the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Charitable Fund and the West Virginia Cycling Foundation, providing funding for costs associated with the event and we are very grateful!

 

I want to thank Bill Robinson for bringing his son and driving up from Charleston to participate in the event. Bill is the Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator for the WVDOH, as well as State Trail Coordinator. Bill had this to say, “The WVDOH is committed to serving the needs of all of the users of the state highways system. We are working with the City and the MPO to try to secure funding for further work on the Little Kanawha Connector bicycle/pedestrian route through the city.”

 

Thanks to everyone involved and every courteous motorist! Many thanks to Drew Smithberger, iPlayOutside’s photographer. If you have a local event you would like to have covered by iPlayOutside, drop them an email. They do a fantastic job and there is no doubt Drew went above and beyond in covering the event.

 

This event was a shining example of what happens when a group of community volunteers pull together. I heard folks say everything from: • This was an event I am proud to have been associated with. • Awesome event! Good work! • When is the next one?

We will keep you posted.