Vallarta on Bike Celebrates One Year Anniversary Vallarta Opina
go to original September 10, 2012

One year ago, Vallarta en Bici was created changing the lives of many inhabitants of the city in trading in their four wheels for two wheel transportation.

A lot of our citizens enjoy the city to a greater degree while traveling by bicycle.

One of the most attractive activities is the night-time ride that takes place every Wednesday at 9:00 in the evening from the entrance of Marina Vallarta until you reach the arches on the Malecon and return.

This journey involves enthusiastic Vallartenses from 12 years of age upwards and at all levels of experience, from those who are newly initiated, to experienced mountain bikers, track, or any other form.

This organization turned one year old after one night when a group of enthusiastic dreamers began their efforts.

The first antecedent of the night rides occurred on May 15, 2010, during the presentation of the "Orchestral Fantasy" concert organized at the time by the new group "Vía Cultural." They had organized on that occasion for 15 cyclists to attend the concert on bicycle.

The pleasant experience was awakened in the group by the advantages of riding at night, when the working day is over, and because there is less traffic. But, above all, because it is cooler at night and one can enjoy the best of the city.

Thus, during the meeting held in August of 2011, it was agreed to do a night ride every Wednesday.

That first Wednesday, only Teresa Rodríguez, Roberto Zepeda Eréndira Segura, Gabriela Fonseca and Tlacuilotzin Garcia showed up. The next week, Roberto Palacios joined and it soon grew to 30 people.

The path at that time was the whale sculpture at the entrance to Marina Vallarta to the gas station, Solórzano, just at the entrance of the village.

It was important ride in the lanes and not in the laterals, since the buses and other vehicles changing lanes is dangerous to the cyclists.

It wasn't long before the awareness between cyclists and motorists became apparent and the group formed the fully constituted civil association of Pro Mobile Bay of Banderas, A.C., better known as Vallarta en Bici, or Vallarta Bike.

"Each ride faced new challenges. At the beginning only one lane was used on Highway 200, but it was decided that both lanes were needed for safety of those with lesser skills on the bicycle.

In the last few weeks, there have been up to 564 bicycles from the Marina to the arches of the Malecon.

The logistics to care for as many bicycles continues to rise in complexity, but with the main highway closed to the motorists during the Wednesday night rides, it is much more safe for the cyclists.

The bicycle community encourages activity and links very different people together. It is good for health, ecology and  sports promotion.

So, on Wednesday, despite the storm, all attended and celebrated a year of pedaling around the city, and upon returning, everyone enjoyed an emotional gathering, appreciating this enjoyable, healthy and motivating initiative for Puerto Vallarta.

Translated by Team Angels

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