Seven Days, Santa Monica, Biking

First Annual Santa Monica Family Bike Fest To Be Held Saturday

Posted Dec. 7, 2012, 12:57 am

Mitch James / Mirror Contributor

Santa Monica’s first Family Bike Fest will be held this Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium.

Residents are invited to the free event that will feature a bike swap, bike skills training, test rides and accessories, route planning and information, food, and fun activities.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their child’s bike to the event 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.

Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange (CICLE), a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, will offer bike skills training for children on their own bikes and for parents who can learn how to teach bike safety skills to their children.

Helmets will be required for children, and will be available on-site for a low fee.

Parents can also test-ride a wide variety of bicycles and accessories that can carry kids.

Bicycle and helmet decoration stations, plus photo booth and local food trucks – including ice cream churned by bike – will make this a fun family outing.

Other activities include route planning assistance, bicycle safety information, booths from many local groups like CicLAvia and Metro, and a family fun ride.

All locations are wheelchair accessible.

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.

For more information, visit www.smgov.net/bikesm.

Event details:

Where: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main Street.

When: Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cost: Free to the public.

Parking: Free valet bike parking, or auto parking ($1/hour).