Events
RVA Bike Month kicks off Saturday with full calendar of city-wide events
There are more than 40 events from Richmond and Ashland to the suburbs and beyond in celebration of the annual month promoting bicycling and bike safety, and it all kicks off Saturday.
Proclamations of recognition and support from local government leaders helped kick off the annual RVA Bike Month, which takes place each May in Richmond. This year’s month features a full calendar of events to go along with a theme of “Fall in Love with Bike Lanes.” This year also marks the fourth year that Bike Walk RVA, a program of Sports Backers, is coordinating the bike related events, with the help of dozens of volunteers and advocates from all over the region.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and City Council kicked things off on Monday, April 24th with an official proclamation designating May as Richmond Bike Month, and the third week of May to be Richmond Bike to Work Week. The following night, the Henrico County Board of Supervisors delivered its first proclamation in recognition of Bike Month and also declared May 19 to be Bike to Work Day.
Leaders from both Richmond and Henrico made a point of encouraging all residents to share the road safely. The Henrico Board recognized the efforts of Varina High School’s ‘Blue Devils for Biking’ club to improve their community for biking and walking through stewardship, skill sharing, and advocacy. Club member Zenia Mincey accepted the recognition on behalf of Blue Devils for Biking and was joined by her fellow students and their family members.
RVA Bike Month will feature over 40 events for bike enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels in 2017. The calendar includes events taking place from Richmond to Ashland, and in the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover–reflecting the growth in support and popularity of increased bike and pedestrian infrastructure throughout the Richmond region.
Activities will include food-themed rides, youth rides, bike commuting seminars, bike rack installations, and group bike commutes, as well as bigger festivals like Dominion Riverrock, which takes place May 19th through 21st on Brown’s Island along the riverfront.
“The community volunteers, advocates, businesses, and organizations that contribute to the full month of events are what make RVA Bike Month stand out as a great treat for the Richmond region,” said Brantley Tyndall, Community Engagement Manager for Bike Walk RVA, in a news release. “The rapid and continued growth of community interest in biking highlights the fact that bikes and bike infrastructure are an important part of the region’s identity.”
Continuing their support for community health and active living initiatives, Bon Secours is partnering with Bike Walk RVA to be the presenting sponsor of RVA Bike Month 2017. The partnership will help Bon Secours highlight the importance of safe, accessible, and connected bike and pedestrian infrastructure that can play a prominent role in advancing community health.
On May 27th, they’ll also serve as the host of the Bon Secours East End Bike Party at the Sarah Garland Jones Center at 2600 Nine Mile Road. The party is free and open to the public.
For a full list of bike month events, and to see the Bike Month poster, check out the 2017 schedule.
Events
PlanRVA Day on June 1st offers host of free learning opportunities
The Richmond region’s planning district commission is opening its doors to community members and partners next month for a day of learning and networking.
PlanRVA will host PlanRVA Day on June 1 from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at its new office at 424 Hull St. Rd. in the Manchester neighborhood. The event will focus on the topic of placemaking, the process of creating quality inclusive places where people want to live, work and play. Sessions will explore various aspects of inclusion and public engagement, with a focus on community connection through regional trails, public art and the environment.
The day will conclude with a film screening of the documentary “A River Called Home” with filmmaker Jess Wiegandt from 6-7:30 p.m. The film focuses on the journey of four women who launch at the headwaters of the James River and paddle to the Chesapeake Bay over three weeks, while conducting a water quality study.
“PlanRVA is where the region comes together to look ahead,” said Martha Shickle, PlanRVA’s Executive Director. “Regional collaboration and cooperation happens every day in Central Virginia. PlanRVA Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’re making together to support quality of life and growth in the region. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event.”
Attendees can tour PlanRVA’s office space and connect with staff and community partners throughout the day.
Sessions are free, but registration is required. People can sign up for single sessions or for the entire day.
Downtown
Island Shrimp Co. to hold rum seminar with acclaimed Brooklyn spirits author, educator
Shannon Mustipher is an acclaimed author and founder of the Women Who Tiki pop-up. She has received a number of accolades for her work in the bar industry, including the Tales of the Cocktail Pioneer Award and induction into the Dame Hall of Fame.
Island Shrimp Co. at Rockett’s Landing is set to host a rum tasting event on Saturday, May 27th at 2:30pm, featuring Brooklyn-based spirits author and educator Shannon Mustipher. The event will showcase a range of regional rum styles, with a welcome cocktail and eight sample selections for attendees to try. Tickets for the seminar are priced at $35 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
Shannon Mustipher is an acclaimed author and founder of the Women Who Tiki pop-up. She has received a number of accolades for her work in the bar industry, including the Tales of the Cocktail Pioneer Award and induction into the Dame Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was named on the Bar World 100 list of the most influential people in the industry.
In addition to the rum tasting, Shannon will be signing copies of her book “Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails,” and will remain at the venue for a special happy hour from 4-6pm. The happy hour event is open to the public and will feature three cocktails from the book.
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