Plan is for event to happen monthly on the first Friday

By Julia Sommer for Ashland.news

A dozen bicyclists gathered at Ashland Plaza at 5 p.m. Friday, May 3, for Ashland’s first First Friday Bicycle Ride.

Organized by Gary Shaff, chair of Streets 4 Everyone (part of Ashland Climate Collaborative), City Council member Eric Hansen led the way through downtown to North Mountain Drive and back on B Street, stopping at the Ashland Food Co-op for a staff welcome and treats. There, riders were reminded about the Co-op’s Bicycle Benefits program: save 5% every time you shop at the Co-op with your $5 helmet sticker.

“Ashland is implementing multimodal strategies led by the people and opportunities, such as adding protected bike lanes on Ashland Street as part of its reconstruction,” Hansen said before the riders set off. “We have a number of protected bike lane projects in the works, such as North Mountain, and a B Street bike boulevard. These are part of Ashland’s strategy to move people more safely and more enjoyably around town.”

Trevin Phillips brought his two daughters, Mae, 9, and Margot, 7, to learn the rules of the road. In their brightly colored helmets, they did beautifully.

“Imagine how nice our ride would have been had we been riding in protected bike lanes through downtown, along Siskiyou, and down Mountain,” notes Shaff. “It is estimated that more than 60% of Americans would ride bicycles for some of their trips if they didn’t have to share the road with autos/trucks. An all-ages and abilities bicycle network in Ashland will virtually eliminate congestion and free up a lot of parking.” 

The next First Friday Bicycle Ride will happen June 7.

Email freelance writer Julia Sommer of Ashland at [email protected].