National Bike Month Celebrated in Cape Girardeau

Mayor Harry Rediger issued a proclamation during the May 6 City Council meeting honoring May as National Bike Month. At right, Dr. Mark Langenfeld, volunteer with the City's Bike Committee, accepted the National Bike Month proclamation.

Sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons to ride. Whether you bike to work or school; to save money or time; to preserve your health or the environment; to explore your community or get to your destination, get involved in Bike Month and go out in your community to ride with your friends and family.

In 2011, the City of Cape Girardeau added dedicated bike lanes and striped approximately 16 miles of city streets, facilitating easier bike travel around town. The bike lanes were made possible by a grant through the Missouri Foundation for Health.

Bicycle Lanes and Sharrows

Bicycle lanes are dedicated striping on the right side of the road for bike travel. Motorists shouldn't drive or park on striped bicycle lanes. Lanes are striped throughout the City including Sprigg Street, Lexington Avenue and Silver Springs Road.

Sharrows are reflective signs in the center of travel lanes to signify areas where bicycles and cars should take care and share the road. Sharrows are currently found on Sprigg and Frederick streets, and Lexington Avenue.

Bicycle Lanes and Trails Map

An interactive, Google map of existing bicycle lanes and trails in Cape Girardeau, and more information about the grant-funded bike lanes and sharrows is available at cityofcape.org/ridethecity.

Educational Bicycling Videos Available

Educational video clips are available at youtube.com/cityofcape. Clips include proper helmet fitting, motorist and cyclist laws and safety, bicycle theft prevention and free registration, basic maintenance and cycling health benefits. View the full, 15-minute educational video in its entirety below.