Ozark Greenways

Bike, Walk & Wheel Week in May

Bike, Walk & Wheel Week, presented by Pineapple Whip, is our region's annual celebration of being active outside!

Being active can invigorate us and boost our optimism. Cycling, walking, and wheeling in our beautiful outdoors all offer a healthy break, both physically and mentally.  We hope you head outside to be active, have some fun, and try something new!

Which mode of active transportation will you choose to get out of the house, go to the store, visit a park, or explore a trail? Plan to join us by using an active mode to go somewhere at least once a week - whether it's biking, walking/rolling, taking the bus, or any combination. Be sure to check out our list of free activities below too.

Some call it transportation, some call it recreation, and we just call it fun!  Speaking of fun, we think photos are fun - post yours on our social media and tag us! Each time you tag us with these tags, you'll be entered into the daily raffle drawing and the grand prize drawing! @OzarkGreenways  #OzarkGreenways  #BikeWalkWheelWeekSGF 

Registration

This event is free to everyone and there is not any registration required!  Some of the organized activities require pre-registration. 

Participant Survey Link 

Click HERE. Complete by May 31, 2023. Raffle drawings will be done on June 12, 2023!

2023 Activities:  Be active - walk and pick up trash, bike to work, go for a walking meeting instead of a sit-down meeting, or try out one of the activities below that will help you get active outside! 

Organized Activities

Friday, May 12:  Smart Cycling 1 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. To help you feel more comfortable and confident on your bicycle, Springbike Bicycle Club is offering Smart Cycling courses to the community this spring! Registration and a fee are required to participate. Learn more about the courses, including how to register by clicking this link: https://springbike.org/resources/smart-cycling-classes/

Saturday, May 13:  Smart Cycling 2 from 8:00 - 11:00 am. To help you feel more comfortable and confident on your bicycle, Springbike Bicycle Club is offering Smart Cycling courses to the community this spring! Registration and a fee are required to participate. Learn more about the courses, including how to register by clicking this link: https://springbike.org/resources/smart-cycling-classes/

Sunday, May 14:  OG Trailblazer Trail Challenge starts today and ends September 15, 2023.

CANCELLED due to storms. Monday, May 15:  Cycling Happy Hours at Tie & Timber Beer Company with Angela Jackson from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.  Everyone is welcome to attend! Ride your bike to Tie & Timber and hang out with a beverage (alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages available for your purchase.)  Drop in for a few minutes or stay the whole time at this laidback come-and-go gathering. Don't forget about all the tasty food options located within walking distance - grab some grub and chill out on their incredible patio space.  What's better than starting the work week with a ride to meet friends for dinner on a gorgeous Ozarks evening?  Not much.  See you all there!  ps. Walkers are welcome too :). Click HERE to link to the Facebook Event Page.

Tuesday, May 16: Yoga & Trail Views from 6:30-7:30 pm.  Join Emery Bryant for a free yoga class in the historic Fassnight Pool House along the Fassnight Creek Greenway trail.  The second-floor pavilion will open at 6 pm.  Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. Address:  1300 S. Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO. Click HERE to link to the Facebook Event Page. 

Wednesday, May 17: Ride of Silence from 6:45 - 8:20 pm. This 12-mile ride is in memory of those killed or seriously injured while riding their bicycle. Meeting point:  303 E. Olive Street, Springfield MO 65806.  Arrive at 6:45. Memorial reading is at 6:50. Ride starts promptly at 7:00 and ends just after sundown at 8:10 to 8:20. Bring helmets and lights. Route is a 12-mile route on streets with moderate to low volume and speed with stops at locations where bicycle fatalities have occurred. Route:  https://ridewithgps.com/events/151078-ride-of-silence-2021.  Ride leader:  David Hutchison. Click HERE to link to the Facebook Event Page. 

Thursday, May 18:  Guided Sculpture Walk from 12 - 12:45 pm. Join Bridget, SWS Executive Director, & Mary, SWS Board Member, for a guided tour of select sculptures from the 8th Collection! Please park in the free parking lot located at the corner of Boonville Avenue and Olive Street. We will meet in Park Central Square by the fountain. Click HERE to link to the Facebook Event Page.

Thursday, May 18:  Connect SGF Transit Optimization Study Open House from 7 am – 6 pm. City Utilities' Transit staff and Olsson and Associates will be hosting a at the Transit Center located at 211 N. Main.  There will be information about service alternatives displayed for discussion about what transit might look like in the future in our community.

Friday, May 19:  Woodland Walkers at 7:00 pm.  Join Chance and Friends of Woodland Heights on a casual group walk.  Each walk is approximately three miles long.  Click HERE to link to the Facebook Event Page. 

Saturday, May 20: Clean Green Springfield Point of Pride Clean-up from 9:00 am to noon. This time will be spent strolling along the Wilson's Creek Greenway trail and picking up trash along a section of Wilson’s Creek that passes nearby Ewing Sports Complex. Parking at Ewing Sports Complex. We recommend that you wear long pants, gloves, and bug/tick spray.  Bring a water bottle. Learn more and register at:  www.cleangreensgf.com/pride/

Sunday, May 21: Spring Roll Bicycle Ride at 2:00 pm. This slow-roll bicycle ride will depart from 216 W. Central Street (at Boonville Avenue) and will be led by Springbike Bicycle Club. Free. Please bring your bicycle and helmet. More details coming soon!

Springfield Sunrise Coffee & Bicycle Club will be hosting a daily ride M- F of this week! Click on the below dates to link to the Facebook Event Page.

  • Monday, May 15 at 5:45 am:   Meet at the bridge in Nathanael Greene Park before the sun rises at 6:04 to watch the sun rise over the lake before riding over to Classic Rock Coffee, and then everyone goes their own way to accomplish what they need for the day.
  • Tuesday, May 16 at 5:45 am:  Meet at the parking lot next to Hammons Tower before the sun rises at 6:04 to watch the sunrise before riding over to Q Street perk in the University Plaza Hotel, and then everyone goes their own way to accomplish what they need for the day.
  • Wednesday, May 17 at 5:45 am:  Meet at this hidden patch of Jordan Creek Greenway trail in West Meadows before the sun rises at 6:02 to watch the sunrise before riding over to College Street Cafe for breakfast, and then everyone goes their own way to accomplish what they need for the day.
  • Thursday, May 18 at 5:45 am:  Meet at the parking lot of Mercy Hospital before the sun rises at 6:03 to watch the sunrise before riding over to Dancing Mule for coffee, and then everyone goes their own way to accomplish what they need for the day.
  • Friday, May 19 at 5:45 am:   Echelon Coffee opens at 6:00 am. The sun rises at 6:15 and can be seen from the outdoor seating. 

On Your Own Activities

Sculpture Walk Springfield: the new Sculpture Rotation goes live on Saturday, April 29! Use this week to explore the new exhibit of sculptures. Be sure to post a picture on Facebook or Instagram (must be public) with  #OzarkGreenways #BikeWalkWheelWeekSGF #scultpurewalksgf

Ozark Greenways Trailblazer Trail Challenge:  May 14th kicks off the OG Trailblazer Trail Challenge that will run until September 15, 2023.  The Trailblazer Trail Challenge is designed to get you outside solo, or with your friends and family, to explore our wonderful local trails. Ozark Greenways staff temporarily install special signs along fifteen local trails. While the signs are up, we invite everyone to visit the trails and try and find 10 of the signs. Along the way, we hope you have a chance to see new places and make positive memories. All of the signs are within walking distance of a public parking area, aka trailhead. 

Bike Month Bingo:  May 1 -31.  Download our Bike Month Bingo page. If you get Bingo, take a photo with your page and post it to social media to win a prize raffle! If you're not on social media, email to Susan. Use hashtags:  #OzarkGreenways  #BikeWalkWheelWeekSGF

Participant Survey: Log Your Participation by May 31, 2023 for Prizes!* 

Participant Survey: CLICK HERE! Complete this survey after you are finished with Bike, Walk & Wheel Week.  Log your day(s), mode(s), and activity(s) by May 31. Participants may log for an individual or a household/organization. Raffle prize drawings will be conducted on June 12, 2023.
Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into prize drawings!

*Participant Survey link will be available May 21-31, 2023.             

Be a Cheerleader

  • Join us on Facebook or Instagram for giveaways all week!
  • Encourage your friends, family, employees, and co-workers with reminder emails, meetings, and advice. 
  • Share the Event Flyer & Tip Sheet 
  • Post a pic/selfie on Facebook/Instagram (make sure it is public) and use #BikeWalkWheelWeekSGF & #OzarkGreenways to be entered into daily prize drawings and the grand prize drawing on June 1, 2021.  Prefer some privacy? You may also upload a picture at the end of the participant log or email your photo to Mary. 

Resources

Springfield has 80+ miles of on-street bike routes and 110+ miles of trails. This event allows us to show them off! Find out how easy it can be to leave the car behind once in a while or regularly. Use our route & greenway maps and the City Utilities bus map, as well as tips from Let's Go Smart and the League of American Bicyclists. Here's how to wear your helmet properlyhow to bike around town properly, and the locations of Springfield's 12 bike-aide stations.

Free City Bus for Bicyclists

City Utilities will give free city bus rides all week to those traveling with a bike! Each bus has an easy-to-use bike rack on the front. The friendly bus drivers will happily help you with the rack or your route. For bus questions, call (417) 831-8782.

Curriculum & Word Games

Check out: Word Search, Word Scramble, Bicycle Word Search, Mtn. Bike Work Search, Nature Crossword, and Helmet Safety 

Thank you BWWW 2023 Sponsors!

Ozark Greenways couldn't do what we do without the financial support of individuals, businesses, organizations, and agencies. Sponsor by emailing Mary or call (417) 864-2015.  Thank you O'Reilly Auto PartsOzark AdventuresPineapple Whip, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., Bambino's Walnut Street InnO'Reilly Hospitality ManagementSpringBike, City Utilities Transit, KUAT, and Springfield-Greene County Health Department!

We rely on the enthusiasm and financial support of the community.

Learn more about how you can help
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