Westlake Bay Village Observer: Bay Village Bicycle Fair to be held May 1

Did you know America's biggest and most successful bike-to-school program was founded right here in Bay Village? Bike To School Challenge returns for its sixth year on May 6-24 and Bay residents can get ready to roll at the free Bay Village Bicycle Fair on May 1.

Organized by Century Cycles bicycle store in conjunction with five local schools, Bike To School Challenge inspires and incentivizes over 4,000 students to ride their bicycles to school as much as possible for three weeks. The program was founded at Bay High School in 2008 and expanded to include Bay Middle School in 2009. Last year, an average of 474 Bay Middle School students biked each day of the challenge. Since 2008, Bay Middle School and Bay High School students have biked 129,476 miles during the challenge.

To prepare for the 2013 challenge and other spring bike-riding, all Bay residents are invited to the Bay Village Bicycle Fair, a free event open to the public on Wednesday, May 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bay Middle School, 27725 Wolf Rd. The first 20 families to enter will receive a free bicycle helmet from sponsors Century Cycles and Raleigh Bicycles (limit one per family).

The event includes bicycle inspections and helmet fittings by Century Cycles mechanics, bike licenses from the Bay Village Police Department, and information and activities from a variety of Bike To School Challenge sponsors and community supporters, including the Project Earth Environmental Club and Bay Skate and Bike Park Foundation.