News

Cyclists to dedicate Bike Boulevard, ride to R&B concert

By Bill Moss, Published: July 17, 2014

The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club will hold a ribbon cutting for Hendersonville's first bicycle boulevard and offer a group ride to the Rhythm & Brews Concert today.

The Hendersonville City Council in April authorized the bicycle boulevard on Fourth Avenue from the western city limits to Jackson Park after a request by Bicycle Club president Joe Sanders. A bicycle boulevard is a motor vehicle and bike sharing roadway that is best suited for low traffic, low speed roads (less than 1,500 cars per day, moving at less than 25 mph).
The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club received a $10,500 donation to fund the by covering the cost of shared-lane markings and way-finding signs that offer directions and distances for cyclists to Main Street and Jackson Park. The 3x9-foot road markings indicate the travel path for cyclists. "The purpose of the road markings is really two-fold," Sanders said. "They are designed to make motorists aware of cyclists and also to help the inexperienced bicyclist see where they should be riding."
The Bicycle Club is sponsoring free bicycle rides and valet bicycle parking in conjunction with the concert series. To encourage cycling to the concerts, free valet bicycle parking will be available at the concert where bicycles and strollers may be left for safekeeping. The rides depart at 5:30 p.m. and return at 7:45 p.m. with two routes. One departs from Patton Park and follows the Oklawaha Greenway to Jackson Park and then Fourth Avenue to the concert. The other ride starts at Laurel Green at the corner of Fifth Avenue and White Pine Drive in Laurel Park. That riding group will make a brief stop at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Blythe Street for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the designation of Fourth Avenue in Hendersonville as a Bike Boulevard.
Anyone may participate. Helmets are mandatory. For more information contact Joe Sanders at 828-243-6732 or President@BlueRidgeBicycleClub.org.