Cyclists commuting into downtown Mobile this Friday morning can pick up a free breakfast as part of National Bike to Work Day, one of several events planned across the city during National Bike Month.
The May observance, aimed at promoting bicycling and cycling safety, has drawn formal recognition from both Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who issued proclamations supporting the monthlong push. Locally, the effort is being coordinated by cycling advocates associated with BicycleMobile.org, who plan to staff a check-in station in Bienville Square from early morning into the evening.
Bicycle commuters who register at the station will receive chicken biscuits courtesy of Chick-fil-A and coffee from Serda’s Coffee Company, along with additional giveaways organizers say will include items from other downtown businesses such as Greer’s Downtown Market and support from the Downtown Mobile Alliance. Anyone unsure of the safest route into downtown can email the organizing group directly for a personalized route recommendation ahead of the ride.
Organizers are also encouraging local businesses to get involved by inviting employees to bike to work that day, with participating businesses set to be highlighted on BicycleMobile.org and across the group’s social media channels as part of the promotion.
The push around cycling doesn’t end with Friday’s event. The following day, cyclists are invited to take part in the second annual Crepe Myrtle Trail ride, a free, beginner-friendly group ride exploring the proposed route of a future pathway along Mobile Bay’s western shore. The roughly 11-mile ride begins at Arlington Park at 9 a.m., with on-site registration opening a half hour earlier and online registration available in advance through Mobile United’s website.
Organizers describe the Crepe Myrtle ride as an opportunity for the public to preview a proposed greenway corridor that would eventually connect several points along the bay’s western shoreline, giving residents a firsthand look at a project still in the planning stages. More details on the ride, including updates and route information, have been shared through a dedicated event page on Facebook.
Together, the two events reflect a broader, ongoing effort among Mobile’s cycling community and city leadership to build support for bike infrastructure and encourage more residents to consider cycling as a practical way to get around downtown and along the bay.