Falls Church City officially celebrates May 2025 National Bike Month and June 3rd World Cycling Day this year:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, May is recognized nationally as Bike Month, established in 1956 to promote public awareness of the benefits of bicycling and to advocate for cyclist safety; and
WHEREAS, June 3rd is d Cycling Day celebrated globally as World Cycling Day, highlighting the importance of cycling as a sustainable, healthy, and inclusive mode of transportation and recreation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Falls Church has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to enhancing multi-modal transportation infrastructure and promoting cycling within the community through numerous initiatives, including:
- Dedicated bike lanes on Hillwood Avenue, North Roosevelt Boulevard, South Maple Avenue, West Falls Station Boulevard, and Wallace St, improving safety and connectivity for people using bicycles;
- Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Dual Trails, featuring separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians and new road crossings, improving safety and accessibility for all users;
- Capital Bikeshare, providing convenient access to shared bicycles, encouraging cycling as a viable and environmentally friendly transportation option;
- Promotion of bicycle education, starting in the past year with first-grade bicycle classes in school and a Bike Bus to school on Fridays, instilling safe cycling habits in young residents;
- Adoption of the 2025 Bicycle Master Plan reflecting the City’s ongoing dedication to creating a safe, connected, and accessible bicycling network for all ages and abilities; and
WHEREAS, bicycling is celebrated in the community through recurring events that promote fun, safety, and accessibility for riders of all ages, including:
- Bike to Work Day and Bike to School Days, occurring on May 16 and May 6, respectively this year;
- Pop-up traffic gardens to teach young children bicycling skills in a protected environment;
- The Halloween Family Bike Ride, where families dress in costume and ride through the city;
- The Holiday Lights Ride, showcasing festive homes while encouraging residents to gather in the spirit of the season;
- W&OD trail cleanups, where community members come together to maintain the city’s most significant shared-use trail; and
- Local bike shop group rides, fostering camaraderie and a strong cycling community;
WHEREAS, these accomplishments and events have led to a growing bicycle culture in Falls Church, contributing to a doubling of the bicycle mode share for work trips from 2010 to 2021, establishment of Bike Falls Church in 2021 as a local bicycling advocacy group, and setting records for Capital Bikeshare use in 2024; and
WHEREAS, bicycling offers numerous benefits, including improved physical and mental health, reduced traffic congestion, reduced parking demand, improved air quality, stronger local businesses, more community connections, and an enhanced quality of life for residents of all ages;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Letty Hardi, Mayor of the City of Falls Church, Virginia, do hereby recognize MAY 2025 AS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH AND JUNE 3, 2025, AS WORLD CYCLING DAY in the City of Falls Church, and encourage all residents to celebrate these observances by participating in biking activities, supporting multi-modal infrastructure, and continuing to build towards a Bicycle Friendly Community award.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Falls Church, Virginia to be affixed this 28th day of April 2025.