Riders pass through Point Gratiot Park during last year’s Dunkirk Pedal Party.
The Resource Center’s fourth annual Pedal Party community bicycle ride takes place Saturday in Dunkirk.
The free ride will begin at 1 p.m. at Taqueria Mexicana restaurant, 296 Lake Shore Drive West. Participants will follow a route taking them through various sections of the city. Along the way, there will be two brief stops, where riders will learn about the services and supports The Resource Center provides to the community.
The total distance is about 12 miles, and the ride is expected to last about 90 minutes. For people who don’t want to do the full ride, there is an option to do a 2-mile loop that takes riders through Point Gratiot Park and back to the restaurant. The 2-mile loop was added to make it possible for people of all ages and abilities to participate.
The Pedal Party is patterned after the Slow Roll Buffalo and Central Connection initiatives, in which cyclists gather to take bicycle tours of the communities. These rides are not races. Rather, as the name implies, Slow Roll cyclists take a leisurely ride.
About 100 cyclists participated in last year’s ride, and organizers anticipate a larger turnout this year. The first 100 participants will receive a free bicycle bell as a thank-you for participating in the event.
The Dunkirk Pedal Party is being organized by The Resource Center, its STARS employee wellness program and Slow Roll Buffalo. The ride was made possible thanks to a grant from Filling the Gap, Inc.
Though the event is free, organizers encourage those planning to participate to register online at www.slowrollbuffalo.org. It is recommended that all riders wear a certified helmet; New York State law requires children under 14 years old to wear a certified helmet when riding on a bicycle.
For more information, phone The Resource Center at 716-483-2344.