Nearly 100 bicycle enthusiasts participated in the Town of Cutler Bay’s fifth annual “Hometown Harvest Ride” on Saturday, Dec. 3.
Town Council member Peggy Bell, a champion of the yearly event since it started, was pleased with the turnout given there were other events that day.
“I absolutely think that we will continue it next year,” Bell said. “We had a really good turnout this year. I’m getting a lot of responses from people who say they didn’t know about it until they found a flyer in one of the stores and it wasn’t enough time to let their neighbors know, but they’ll know next year.
“I’m hoping that we have on Old Cutler Road an electric sign, which is something that I’m working for when they do the work on Old Cutler, a programmable sign similar to what they have in Key Biscayne to let the residents know about upcoming events, council meetings and other important information they need to know about because I think that’s our biggest challenge, informing the public.”
The ride began at the new Lakes by the Bay Park at 9 a.m., after registration at 8 and a Bike Safety Rodeo at 8:30. The event was a scenic 10-mile police-escorted ride through Black Point Marina and Cutler Bay, with refreshments at Saga Bay Park, returning to the Lakes by the Bay Park where it began by about 10:30 a.m.
“We may look into combining the bike ride with one from another city in the future,” Bell said. “We’ve talked about that with Palmetto Bay people. We gave out 200 free helmets. If some chose not to ride that’s okay, as long as they use their helmets the safety is what it’s all about.
“I’m really enthusiastic that people are excited about using their helmets. I get a state grant for that every year. As the bicycle paths are more fully developed in the town, I’m hoping that we get more people on their bicycles.”
