People of all ages will be able to experience the arts, culture, and nature of Indianapolis by bike with the free, citywide Bike Fest on June 18. As part of Big Car Collaborative’s partnership with Reconnecting to Our Waterways, the multi­stop cycle crawl — which involves a variety of other partners — features both the White River and Pleasant Run Greenway Trails. Participants are invited to spend the afternoon biking to several different free events that range from BMX tricks to an outdoor screening of “Pee­Wee’s Big Adventure.” People may also choose to visit one or two individual events or join in the festivities at any point in the day.

Through a partnership with Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW) and a grant from the Kresge Foundation, Big Car Collaborative has spent the past year initiating creative placemaking activities along Indianapolis waterways and within their surrounding communities. Capitalizing on the success of previous projects, creative placemaker Alan Goffinski and Butler University community organizer Molly Trueblood are looking to encourage Hoosier riders to look at their city in a more creative, engaging way. This scenic trip along the White River and Pleasant Run Greenway will take riders to great cultural destinations within the heart of Indianapolis. Riders will experience the camaraderie of the Indy cycling community while taking in the beauty and culture that is at the core of our city.
Organizer and Creative Placemaker Alan Goffinski explains, “Bicycling is a great way to explore the city. The goal of Bike Fest is to create a unique opportunity to experience some great cultural assets and vibrant neighborhoods in Indianapolis.”

Partners include: Big Car Collaborative, Reconnecting to Our Waterways, StreamLines, Sustain Indy, IndyCog, Freewheelin’ Community Bikes, Knozone, Saint Anthony Catholic Church.

SCHEDULE
Launch: At the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Art and Nature Park (4000 Michigan Rd.) 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. IMA Summer Solstice activities, bike activities, food trucks, local music, art swap. extra bicycle parking available.
Stop 1: Herron Fine Arts Center (135 N Pennsylvania St.) 2:30­3:30 p.m. Art gallery, bicycle short film screening, fun design activity.
Stop 2: St. Anthony Crossroads of The Americas Festival (2425 W Michigan St.). 4­5 p.m. Bike Stunts by Wonder Wheels BMX.
Stop 3: White River Trail (1015 Kentucky Ave.) 5:30­7:15 p.m. Bombastic activities and outdoor public sculpture.
FINALE: Pleasant Curve Amphitheater (990 E Pleasant Run Pkwy S Dr). 8 p.m. with film starting at 9 p.m. “Pee­Wee’s Big Adventure” outdoor screening and food trucks.
Intrepid riders will join IndyCog for the night ride back to IMA. Freewheelin’ Community Bikes will also provide limited vehicle transport back to IMA. More Info can be found here.
Register at I​ndyCog.org/2016bikefest