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Time for some 2-wheelin’? It’s Go By Bike Week 123rf.com Sunday May 13, 2018 at 2:01 AM Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Cycling enthusiasts and transportation officials are hoping local residents will trade four wheels for two during Go By Bike Week, starting Monday. The event has grown in the past eight years from a Bike to Work Day to seven days of events that include trail rides, breakfasts and themed rides promoting safety awareness and recognizing local veterans. Competitive types can log all their bike trips during the week for a chance to win prizes in the Go By Bike Week Challenge. “We want to really encourage people to see that shopping trips and leisure trips and going to run errands can also happen by bike,” says Paige West, senior planner for Rogue Valley Transportation District, “and we want to encourage people to use their bicycles for transportation for all kinds of trips.” One of the highlights is a Ride With Leaders event on Friday that pairs local cyclists, transportation experts and city government leaders for an eight-mile trek on city and county roadways. “The invitation has gone out to city councilors, commissioners and other prominent leaders in our community to share this time with some of the staff and show them bicycle facilities in our region. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand what it’s like to be a cyclist until you are on a bicycle and riding around,” West said. “Until you’ve ridden on our streets, it’s hard to get the perspective that there are not adequate bike facilities in our region. We’re hoping to encourage the community leaders who make the decisions about how bicycle facilities are improved in our community to come out and take a ride with us.” Though registration has passed for the Ride With Leaders event, West said there are plenty of opportunities to help promote awareness and keep the conversation going about the importance of reduced dependence on automobiles. Monday Share the Trail, Ashland: 5 to 6 p.m. on the Central Bike Path at Hunter Park. Features “bike-powered smoothies,” free bike lights and trail maps. Tuesday Share the Trail, Medford: Noon to 1 p.m., Bear Creek Greenway inside Bear Creek Park. Features “bike-powered smoothies,” free bike lights and trail maps. Wednesday Ashland Bike Breakfast: 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Ashland Railroad Park. Sponsored by Ashland Parks and Recreation. Ride of Silence: 7 p.m., Hawthorne Park, Medford. Siskiyou Velo will lead a silent ride in hopes of raising road safety awareness and promoting the rights of cyclists. Check in 15 minutes early. Thursday Honor Ride: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Bear Creek Greenway at Hawthorne Park, Medford. Go Vets plans a family-friendly, four-mile ride to show appreciation for Rogue Valley veterans, followed by a social gathering. Helmets required. Friday National Bike to Work Breakfast: 7 to 9 a.m., Hawthorne Park, Medford. Warm breakfast and other refreshments will be served along the Bear Creek Greenway. Free bike safety gear will be distributed. Sponsored by the city of Medford. Ride with Leaders: 3 to 5 p.m., Common Block Brewing, 315 E. Fifth St., Medford. Advance registration was required. All week Go By Bike Week Challenge: Take a pledge and register online to log your miles and enter chances to win prizes. See more information at rvtd.org. Reach Medford freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected].