BikeWalk BG Promotes Healthy Lifestyles in Bowling Green Community
Bowling Green citizens facing the challenge of balancing work, home, and a healthy lifestyle now have a valuable resource in BikeWalk BG. Founded in 2018 by Lead Coordinator Karissa Lemon, BikeWalk BG aims to bring the community together through fitness-based activities and education on practicing healthy lifestyles. Lemon outlined the four main pillars of BikeWalk BG, which include education, advocacy, outreach, and planning.
Before BikeWalk BG, the Greenways Commission in Bowling Green had a goal of planning and building trails across the city. However, the commission lost track of its vision and passed coordination of activities to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). With the help of MPO, BikeWalk BG was established to focus on outreach and education for pedestrian and bicycle transportation. Funding for BikeWalk BG comes from the MPO’s Paula Nye Memorial Grant Foundation, which is supported by the purchase of “Share The Road” license plates in Kentucky.
Staffing for BikeWalk BG comes from the City-County Planning Commission of Bowling Green and other partners like Warren County Parks and Recreation. The organization hosts various bike ride events throughout the year, catering to individuals of all ages and skill levels. The recent St. Patrick’s Community Bike Ride saw participants of all backgrounds coming together for a 10-mile trip followed by a post-celebration with food and live music.
Participants like WKU fine arts professor Jason Harbison and Bowling Green resident Kyle Marklin highlighted the sense of community and camaraderie experienced during BikeWalk BG events. Harbison noted the positive impact on his mental wellness, while Marklin appreciated the mix of seasoned riders and newcomers at the events.
Rowan Brown, an intern for BikeWalk BG, shared insights into the organization’s activities, including community rides, bike rodeos, and trail maintenance. Brown emphasized the importance of developing connected greenways in Bowling Green and the Adopt-A-Trail Program, which allows groups to support trail maintenance efforts.
In addition to BikeWalk BG, initiatives promoting healthy lifestyles are also taking place at WKU’s College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). Dean Tania Basta introduced programs like the CHHS Student Wellness Experience for students and the CHHS Faculty and Staff Wellness Hour. These programs focus on enhancing physical and mental well-being for students, faculty, and staff at CHHS.
Grace Lartey, a public health professor at CHHS, shared her positive experience with the Faculty and Staff Wellness Hour, emphasizing the importance of taking care of oneself to better serve students. Basta highlighted the success of these programs in improving the moods and productivity of students and staff at CHHS.
Overall, BikeWalk BG and initiatives at CHHS are making a significant impact on promoting healthy lifestyles and fostering a sense of community in Bowling Green. Through education, advocacy, and outreach, these programs are empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being and connect with others in the community.
For more information, contact News Reporter Larkin Ivory at [email protected].