Delaware bicyclists ride to Dover to encourage cycling

This year’s annual ride to Legislative Hall is, in part, focused on encouraging kids to get out their bikes and take a ride.

Dodging raindrops and even some heavier showers, a group of about a dozen riders left the Polly Drummond Shopping Center in Newark just after 7 a.m. headed for a lunchtime arrival in Dover.  The group, which includes state Senator David Sokola, will make an educational pit stop along the way.  “We’re going to have an event at Townsend Elementary School today to try to emphasize to try to get more young kids on bicycles or doing that extended physical activity during the day.”

Sokola’s led this ride for many years and says, this year, the pain at the pump is another reason to hit the road and take advantage of your own pedal power.  “You know, fuel prices are up there, so you can save a little bit of money by doing this.  There’s other things like environmental impact, and even international impacts if we get enough people to look at alternative modes of transportation, so you reduce congestion and have a lot of positive benefits.  And frankly, I think it’s a lot of fun.”

The ride comes during National Bike Month and just one week before a number of major biking related events in Delaware.  All next week, May 14-18 is Bike to Work Week, and Friday, May 18 is Bike to Work Day.  Also, all next weekend, the Wilmington Grand Prix will be held through downtown Wilmington with hundreds of riders expected to hit the streets.