Cyclists “Bike-Pool” To Farmers Market

A new advocacy group called Long Beach Cyclists is organizing the city’s first-ever “bike-pool” this Sunday from downtown to the Alamitos Bay Marina farmers market.

The social group ride is meant to encourage residents to replace short car trips with bicycle rides. Cyclists will meet up at 9:45 a.m. at Bikestation (221 First St. downtown), at 10:10 a.m. at Portfolio Coffeehouse (2300 E. Fourth St. at Junipero) and at 10:35 a.m. at Jones Bicycles (5332 E. Second St. in Belmont Shore) and head to the farmer’s market in the Alamitos Bay Marina parking lot.

Long Beach Cyclists member Russ Roca said the bike-pool is not a race.

“It is not Critical Mass,” Roca said in a release. “It’s about taking the simple act of riding a bike and doing good. You’re getting your exercise, you’re getting your groceries done, and you’re doing something good for the environment.”

As an added incentive, the businesses will help encourage the cyclists with discounts and giveaways. Bikestation will let bike-pool participants enter a drawing to win a free, full bike tune-up ($45 value), Portfolio Coffeehouse will offer 10% off drinks and Jones Bicycles will offer 10% off lights, helmets and locks.

The bike-pool is open to riders of all skill levels — the longest route to the farmers market (from Bikestation) is less than six miles. All cyclists will be encouraged to wear helmets and obey all traffic rules.

Long Beach Cyclists was formed to promote cycling as a fun, valued and sustainable form of transportation through community, advocacy and education. To find out more about the group’s upcoming events, visit www.lbcyclists.org or e-mail lbcyclists@gmail.com.

—Carla M. Collado