'You get to see the city in a different way': Milwaukee cyclists join Mayor's Bike Ride for Wisconsin Bike Week

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Through Sunday, June 9, communities across the Wisconsin are celebrating bicycling during Wisconsin Bike Week.

"You just increase your connectivity through biking," said cyclist, Steven Hunter.

Cycling is a way of life for Hunter, who lives in Milwaukee's near west side.

"My kids got old enough to catch the bus, I got rid of my car, and I've been biking year-round for the past 15 years," Hunter said.

He joined other riders and city leaders Thursday for the annual Mayor's Bike Ride.

"Bike-friendly communities create a more livable environment that retains residents and also attracts new people," Mayor Cavalier Johnson said Thursday.

The ride, starting and ending at Tiefenthaler Park, showed off new protected bike lanes - part of over 41 miles being developed throughout Milwaukee.

"Bike Week is just a great opportunity for everyone to get together and celebrate all the awesomeness that bikes bring to our community: the economic value, the recreation value, the healthy value," said Jake Newborn, assistant director of Wisconsin Bike Fed.

The theme of this year's Wisconsin Bike Week is "Bikes Mean Business."

An economic study by the Outdoor Industry Association shows bicycling contributes $1.4 billion to Wisconsin each year.

"It's a great way to just highlight the jobs and the funding that brings to our state," Newborn said.

Wisconsin Bike Week celebrates biking infrastructure and is meant to inspire more cyclists.

"You can do it young, you can do it when you're older, it increases your health, it gets you outdoors, you get to see the city in a different way," Hunter said.

It also brings awareness to biker safety and community mindfulness.

"Just being conscious of each other, and just being willing to share space and acknowledge each other," Hunter explained.

Click here for a list of upcoming Wisconsin Bike Week events.