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Health & Fitness

Blog | Bike Culture: Family Style

Pull out that dusty bike from the garage and check out a family fun event which supports biking and walking to school.

If you are not too busy this Saturday, December 8 ride on down to the Santa Monica Civic Center for Santa Monica’s first Family Bike Fest.  This is a great opportunity for bike addicts, soft peddlers and novice cyclers  to gather in support of Santa Monica’s push to become a more bicycle friendly city. This free event begins at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The event organizers have been busy coordinating a wide range of exhibitors who will be showing off innovative and fun ways for families to bike together.  You can learn about and test-ride some of these new bicycles and accessories, including the Babboe (see photo) and Boxcycle cargo bikes, Xtracycle Hooptie child carrying system, Burleychild-carrying trailers, Yepp rear child seats, handlebar seats, and more!

If you missed October’s CicLAvia, no worries; representatives of the popular open streets event will be at Family Bike Fest to talk about plans to bring CicLAvia to the Westside, including Santa Monica. Come learn about what’s happening, and share your ideas.

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There will be lots to do—a bike swap, bike skills training, test rides and accessories, route planning and information, food and fun activities. Bring your child’s bike over for a safety check by on-site mechanics, or if it’s been outgrown, give it a new home through donation to the bike swap. Families who donate a bicycle will have the opportunity to browse the bike swap to see if there is a suitable trade to bring home.

Take fun photos with your friends, family, and favorite bike at the Snap Yourself! photo booth. They’ll have tons of silly props, so dress up and get cheesy!

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Does riding a bike make you hungry? Don’t worry! Some of our favorite local food trucks will be at Family Bike Fest to serve up a variety of tasty meals. Be sure to check out Peddler’s Creamery will be on-hand with their creatively-flavored bike-churned ice cream; Crepe’n Around; Holy Aioli and China Jones have confirmed so start making your gourmet game plan.

You may be wondering how you can get to Family Bike Fest. Of course, you are encouraged to walk or ride your bike. There will be  a free bike valet so you can park your bike in a safe, secure area. Just make sure all children are wearing helmets, and find a good route using the official Santa Monica Bike Map

 Metro and Big Blue Bus provide several bus routes that drop you off right at the Civic Auditorium. You can also put your bike on the front racks of every bus. If you do not know how to use the bus bike racks, watch this video for an explanation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNcW-ZaoEfg

If you are driving to Family Bike Fest, there is ample public parking available next to the Auditorium. Parking is $1/hour.

The fun happens RAIN OR SHINE - They have alternate accommodations inside at the Civic Center!

This free event is part of the Safe Routes to School Pilot Project, hosted by the City of Santa Monica in partnership with Active Santa Monica, the Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council, the Santa Monica Bike Center, and CICLE.

The goal of Safe Routes to School Pilot Project is to encourage more children to bicycle and walk to school. Through the 2012-2013 school year, a range of educational workshops and classes, fun events and contests, and coordinated enforcement by the Santa Monica Police Department will improve safety at schools, teach children and parents greater confidence in safe walking and bicycling skills, and raise awareness of the many benefits of arriving at school by foot or by bike. Participating schools in this grant funded project are Lincoln Middle School, John Adams Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary School, and Will Rogers Elementary School.

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