It’s time for UTA’s 18th Annual Bike Bonanza. Come celebrate with us at Gallivan Plaza on Friday, May 17, and enjoy an afternoon of fun for the entire family, including exciting giveaways, local music, children’s events, free food and more.
The Bike Bonanza is designed to educate families about bike safety and bicycling as a green transportation alternative. It is one of many activities being held around the state in celebration of Utah Bike Month.
Biking and public transportation go hand-in-hand, said UTA Bike Bonanza organizer Cheryl Anderson. Both are economical modes of transportation that reduce traffic and help Utahns enjoy cleaner air. In addition, UTA has customized many of its vehicles to accommodate bicycles, making commuting and traveling along the Wasatch Front easier than ever.
“Bicycling works great with mass transit,” Anderson said. “You can take your bike on UTA buses, TRAX and FrontRunner trains. UTA also has enclosed bike lockers that can be rented at most train stations. When you put all of these modes of transportation together, you can get almost anywhere you would like to go.”
This year, several bikes donated by Specialized Bicycles will be given away. There is no charge to enter the drawing, which also includes free bike tune-ups by Saturday Cycles as well as gear bags, backpacks and other bicycle accessories donated from REI, Dakine, Salt Lake City Bicycle, and the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah.
You and your family won’t want to be late to this year’s event. The first 75 children at the Bike Bonanza will receive a free bicycle helmet donated by Utah Highway Safety and the Road Respect program, and the first 300 people will receive a free water bottle. Free ice cream, snacks and pizza will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Children are invited to test out their bicycling skills in the Bike Rodeo. Salt Lake City Police Department officers will lead children through a bicycling obstacle course and teach them bike safety tips. Kids of all ages who are old enough to ride bicycles are invited to participate. Bikes will also be on hand for children who do not bring their own bicycles.
The Bike Bonanza also includes a bicycle fashion show by Cloud 9 Design Group, featuring models dressed in the latest bicycling gear, as well as classic rock music by local band Contagious. Attendees can easily park their bikes using the complimentary bike valet service by SLC Bike Collective.
Anderson said that she hopes the event encourages more people to think about bicycling and other sustainable modes of transportation.
“If we all commit to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle by using mass transit, vanpooling, carpooling, bicycling and walking, we will be doing our part to help the environment and Utah,” she said.
Gallivan Plaza is located at 239 S. Main Street. The Bike Bonanza will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A timeline of activities is provided below. Special thanks to Clif Bar & Company, Cycle Salt Lake Century and Creamies Premium Ice Cream for their food donations.
More information about the Bike Bonanza is available at www.rideuta.com or www.utarideshare.com.
UTA Bike Bonanza
Friday, May 17, at Gallivan Plaza, 239 S. Main Street
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Live music by Contagious.
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Bike Rodeo
6:30 p.m. – Bicycle Fashion Show
7 p.m. – Raffle winners announced