Come when you want, and ride/run/stroll as much or as little as you like. Enjoy a Car Free Colonial Parkway – FOR THREE WHOLE DAYS!
In celebration of National Parks Week, from April 23 at Sunrise to April 25 at Sunset the National Park Service with help from BikeWalk Williamsburg will close 8 miles of the Colonial Parkway to vehicular traffic for the 24th annual Pedal the Parkway. This year will look a little different then before accommodate for COVID-19 safety measures.
Grab your pandemic pod for the rare chance to bike, walk or run the Colonial Parkway from Jamestown to Williamsburg completely car-free. “Because we can’t have the usual party at Archer’s Hope this year we’re hoping that the three days will give everyone to enjoy the Parkway in a safe and fun way,” says Lauren Gurniewicz the Chief of Visitor Experience and Community Engagement at the park. “Even though the party won’t be there, it will still be an amazing community event. It’s a wonderful chance to get riders who aren’t confident out on two wheels. And at this point I know most of our community’s walkers and runners are looking for a change of scenery too!”
Eight miles of the Parkway will be closed to vehicular traffic between Jamestown Settlement to Newport Avenue in Williamsburg, allowing open access for all cyclists and pedestrians to enjoy the road together. There will be a rest stop with bathroom accommodations at Archer’s Hope. As always this event non-competitive, start when you like and suitable for all ages and abilities.
Reed Nester, former Planning Director for the City of Williamsburg, and avid cyclist says, “My wife and I have been participating in Pedal the Parkway for over 20 years. We use our tandem bicycle to ride the event and enjoy seeing all the families with all different sized bikes riding together and having fun. Everyone smiles at Pedal the Parkway.”
“You don’t have to be there right away since the event lasts all weekend. So you can come when you can, ride as much, or as little, as you like, and have a lovely adventure enjoying one of our local treasures,” says Ryan Bedell a BikeWalk Williamsburg Board Member. “My whole family enjoys riding. We don’t go fast, but we have a ton of fun!”
The event is free and held rain or shine. All participants should socially distance outside of their pandemic pod and cyclists should wear helmets.