Share the road safely during community bike rides

The following is a release from the Worcester County Bike and Pedestrian Coalition.

The Worcester County Bike and Pedestrian Coalition is hosting community bike rides to celebrate National Bike Month in May. With the return of warmer weather, beach visitors and an increased number of public events, more people will be walking and biking along trails and roadways. The coalition reminds drivers, bikers and pedestrians to follow guidance from Maryland Department of Transportation to BE STREETWISE every day.

Motorists:

• Look for people walking and cycling, especially at intersections.  
• Yield to bicyclists when turning. 
• Allow 3 feet of room when passing bicyclists. It’s the law in Maryland!
• Watch for approaching bikes before opening your car door. 
• Maintain full attention when driving to avoid distracted driving. 

Bicyclists: 

• Ride with the traffic on the right side of the road.
• Stop at all red lights and stop signs. 
• Use hand signals when turning. 
• Yield right of way to pedestrians and announce when you are passing them.
• Wear a helmet and stay visible with reflectors and bright clothing.

Community bike rides hosted by Coalition members will be held on: 

• May 1, Ocean Pines Association Recreation and Parks Department - 12-mile loop begins at Ocean Pines Racquet Center. Register at [email protected] or call 410-641-7052.
• May 15, Town of Snow Hill  - 6-mile loop begins at Sturgis Park. To register or for more information, email [email protected]. 
• May 22, Pocomoke City Town and Recreation and Parks Committee - 5.5 mile-loop begins at Newtowne Park. To register, email [email protected].

Participants in these rides will be asked to rate the bike-ability of their community on a short survey sponsored by Julie Woulfe of Shamrock Realty Group.
 
Other National Bike Month events include:

• May 8, Maryland Coast Bike Festival – Routes of 15, 35, and 65 miles start and end at the Harbor in West Ocean City. Festival food, drink, and music. Info at https://marylandcoastbikefestival.com/. Volunteers are needed for this event at the rest stops and Festival Village:
  • Rest Stop 2, North Worcester County Athletic Complex, Berlin; shift is 8-10:30 a.m.
  • Rest Stop 3, Newark Public Park; shift is 8-11 a.m.
  • Rest Stop 4, Powellsville Volunteer Fire Department; shift is 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
  • Rest Stop 5, Corner by Dollar General, Berlin; shifts are 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 12-2:30 p.m.
  • Clean up at the Festival Village at the OC Harbor; shifts are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-5 p.m.
  • Sign up on the festival website, volunteer button: www.bikesignup.com/Race/Volunteer/MD/OceanCity/MarylandCoastBikeFestival or email [email protected] or [email protected]. Volunteers will receive a ride shirt and a drink coupon to use at the Village Fest on Saturday.
• May 15, A Bike Safety & Fun Program for children in grades 1- 8 hosted by Worcester County Recreation and Parks Department and Eastern Shore IMBA at John Walter Smith Park in Snow Hill. Register for this program at https://worcesterrecandparks.org/calendar/event/bike-safety-fun.

For more information about the Worcester County Bike and Pedestrian Coalition, contact Patti Stevens at [email protected] or on Facebook.