Miami Valley Cycling Summit at Wright State University 2017

From individual health and wellness to community development and economic growth, the benefits of cycling are vast.

Those topics and others will be the focus of the Miami Valley Cycling Summit on May 5 at Wright State University. "Cycling Attracts" is the theme for this year's event designed to demonstrate how cycling can drive economic development in communities, large and small, throughout the region.

“It’s a conference-style event designed to showcase the importance of cycling to the economy and the community,” said Robin Gregory, chair of the summit’s Greene County committee. “It will have something of interest to casual and avid riders as well as elected officials and those involved in cycling advocacy.”

There are four tracks available to those attending the summit – Economic Impact & Community Development, Partnerships & Collaboration, Health & Safety and Policy & Funding. The free event will utilize local, regional and nationally-recognized experts to speak on various topics throughout the day.

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“The event not only showcases the strides being made in the community but also addresses where we might fall short,” Gregory said. “It will help us moving forward.”

According to Gregory, Greene County is an ideal location for the biennial event.

“Xenia is the Bicycle Capital of the Midwest, so we felt very strongly that Greene County was an ideal location for this event,” she said.

Greene County has 62 miles of paved trails for use by cyclists and other outdoor fitness enthusiasts.

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Those trails will get some use the day after the summit as Greene County Parks & Trails is sponsoring the Miami Valley Cycling Summit Century Ride on May 6, in conjunction with the event. Riders will have the choice between a challenging 100-mile ride or a shorter 62-mile ride. Both rides will begin at Greene County Parks & Trails Fairgrounds Recreation Center, in Xenia, with participants cycling down the Little Miami Scenic Trail. The Century Ride – which benefits Bike Miami Valley – is open to all ages and ability levels.

“Cycling doesn’t discriminate,” Gregory said. “Anybody can get on a bike.”

CYCLING SUMMIT AND CENTURY RIDE AT A GLANCE

Miami Valley Cycling Summit

When: May 5, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where: Wright State University Student Union

Cost: Free

More: The first 300 people registered receive a free bike bell; those registering by April 21 are guaranteed a free lunch.

Registration: www.CyclingSummit.com

MVCS Century Ride

When: May 6, 7 a.m.

Where: Greene County Parks & Trails Fairgrounds Recreation Center, Xenia

Cost: $25 preregistration, $35 on-site registration