The South Bend Police and Fire Departments will host a Bike Drive from 6-8 pm at the Howard Park Ice Rink parking lot on Friday, May 6 from 6-8 pm. Residents are encouraged to donate new and used bicycles or make a monetary donation that will go towards the purchase of bike locks and bike helmets for kids who participate in the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County after-school program at Harrison Primary Center.
“We are thrilled to host this bike drive to benefit local youth,” says co-organizer Lt. Patrick Hechlinski of the South Bend Police Department. “The health and wellness of our kids is extremely important and we hope the bike drive will give our youth an opportunity to enjoy our community in a new way, while having fun outdoors.”
In addition to the bike drive, South Bend Police will have a course set up where kids can learn bicycle skills and “rules of the road.”
The Bike Drive is in advance of the Mayors’ Ride to be held from 7-11 am on Sunday, May 22. The family-friendly, recreational ride will begin at three locations: Red Barn, St. Patrick’s County Park; Howard Park, South Bend; and Central Park, Mishawaka.
The Mayors’ Ride is free of charge, though a $10 per person donation is suggested to help Bike Michiana Coalition, a non-profit bicycle-advocacy organization, with their many education initiatives. All riders must also fill out a waiver.
Sponsored by Visit South Bend and Bike Michiana Coalition, the Mayors’ Ride encourages bicyclists of all ages to enjoy South Bend’s, Mishawaka’s, and St. Joseph County’s connected bikeways and bicycle-friendly infrastructure.
For more information on and to register for the Mayors’ Ride visit bikemichiana.org.