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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Men and women of all ages came to the Bronx River Parkway in White Plains ready to bike or roll their way through the last Bicycle Sunday of the year. With the sun shining down on them, they took off when given the signal.
“I really look forward to it – it’s great,” said Greenburgh resident Walter Price, who biked in all 11 Bicycle Sunday events this year. “Weather’s been great, been no cancellations. Even today, the weather held off, it’s not windy, so this should be a great day.”
On Bicycle Sundays, a section of the Bronx River Parkway is closed to cars from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so that bicyclists, joggers and others can utilize it. The 13.1-mile round-trip starts at the Westchester County Center in White Plains and goes south to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. Participants can enter and exit through many different parts of the route.
The 38-year-old program was in danger of being cut from the 2012-2013 county budget, but co-sponsors Con Edison and Friends of Westchester County Parks saved it by each donating $20,000.
Westchester County program administrator Kevin Donnelly commended the two organizations for their efforts and said 2012 has been a great year for the program.
“We’ve had very good weather and we’ve gotten pretty good attendance this year,” he said Sunday. “We’ve had beautiful days for every Bicycle Sunday so far and hopefully today with the sun coming out now, it should be the same.”
His favorite part of the event, along with Price, is the mix of people who take part in it.
“Young and old alike, families and single people, serious cyclists and beginners, and joggers, and everybody can come out and enjoy a day on the parkway,” Donnelly said.
Comments (2)
It takes a small man to claim credit for something that might have happened over 30 years (42 years if 1970, 33 years if 1979) ago. Tough luck that Al Gore already put in his claim for inventing the internet.
Bicycle Sundays are a tremendous asset to Westchester County. Besides offering residents the opportunity to exercise and enjoy a scenic parkway while cycling or jogging - this program also encourages potential homeowners to want to move to our county --because it's a fun place to live.
In the 1970s I proposed the concept of bicycle Sundays to the county. I am very grateful that Con Ed and the Friends of Westchester Couny Parks saved the program this year. Hopefully, bicycle sundays will continue for many years to come.