The City of Chesapeake announced on Apr. 20 a series of community events to celebrate Bike Month in May, featuring activities for families and cycling enthusiasts at various local parks and trails.
Bike Month aims to promote outdoor activity, safety, and historical appreciation through a range of organized rides and educational programs. The events are designed to bring together residents of all ages while highlighting the city’s commitment to recreation and historic preservation.
Festivities begin with BikeFest on May 3 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, where attendees can enjoy giveaways, food trucks, bike-related vendors, and more than eight miles of paved trails. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes and safety equipment; giveaways will be available while supplies last. The first Glow Ride will take place at Oak Grove Park on May 8 from 7:00 to 8:45 p.m., inviting cyclists to decorate their bikes with lights for evening rides around the park’s lake. Free bike lights and helmets will be provided while supplies last, and youth in need may receive free bicycles from Keller Williams Coastal Virginia and OVM with Annie Mac Home Mortgage.
A new program called the Bike Ride of Historic Great Bridge is scheduled for May 16 from noon until 2:00 p.m., starting at Great Bridge Community Center. This ride will explore local history by stopping at sites such as the Municipal Complex, Battlefield Park, A & C Canal, and Great Bridge Locks; registration is required for this event.
On May 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Chesapeake Bicycle and Trail Advisory Committee will host the Chesapeake Ride of Silence at City Park’s Shelter 11—a seven-and-a-half-mile ride honoring those injured or killed while cycling on public roads.
The city preserves historic districts and supports educational events like the Battle of Great Bridge reenactment according to the official website. Spanning over diverse environments across its 353 square miles according to the official website, Chesapeake traces its roots back to early English settlements near the Elizabeth River dating around 1620 according to the official website. The area played a significant role in Revolutionary War history as home to notable events like the Battle of Great Bridge in 1775 according to the official website.
Chesapeake operates under a council-manager form of government according to the official website, continuing its tradition as a community focused on both recreation opportunities and historical education.
