Annual Cedar Rapids bike ride for residents tours recent project improvements

CEDAR RAPIDS — The annual “Ride the Districts” bike ride will be next weekend to help all residents get familiar with bicycle infrastructure in the community.

The ride will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10. Participants are encouraged to register for this free event on the city’s website (www.cedar-rapids.org). Rain date is 10 a.m. Sunday, June 11. Weather-related updates will be posted on the website.

The ride kicks off at Ellis Park near the pool to give riders a firsthand opportunity to experience various bicycle facilities, according to a news release. The bike ride will feature the city’s upcoming and recent projects like the Cherokee Trail and Morgan Creek Trail.

The 15.1-mile route will begin and end at Ellis Park, 2000 Ellis Blvd. NW, near the pool.

The City of Cedar Rapids has partnered with Linn County to complete a Trails and Bikeways plan, according to the city’s website. This plan replaces the existing trails plan and map adopted in 2012. Since the plan was adopted, the city has made “significant strides” in trail and bikeway development, including doubling the miles of trails and adding more than 50 miles of new on-street bikeways.

The “Ride the Districts” event is just one of the opportunities to stay engaged and learn more about the project.

All ages and skill abilities are welcome to join the event.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com