Over 100 advocates gathered for the Sifth Annual Bike Summit sponsored by the South Coast Bikeway Alliance, at White's Restaurant on March 24, 2016. Keynote speaker Erin Reed of the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program was introduced by Alliance President Bob Espindola. Representative Bill Straus, Chair of the House Transportation Committee, Mass In Motion Fall River Coordinator Julie Kelly and BikeFallRiver Chair Brian Pearson was there along with retired city planner Al Lima, for whom the new Quequechan River Rail Trail has been named. Following Ms. Reed's presentation, a panel on "Kids in Motion" and "Adult Casual Riding Groups" was held. The evening ended with a challenge to participate in the South Coast Summer Bicycle Challenge.  Click here for photos of last year's Summit. Click here for a 22-minute video of the event. For more information, contact Fall River Mass In Motion coordinator Julianne Kelly at 508-324-2405 or BikeFallRiver President Brian Pearson at 508-567-7829.

(Top row, left) Al Lima listens with fellow BikeFallRiver members Alan DeCosta and Jeffrey Fontaine as Tom Lapointe show some video footage. (Top row center and right) BikeFallRiver President Brian Pearson looks over photos of the Quequechan River Rail Trail under construction with Al Lima before Al is introduced to Representative Paul Schmid by Mass In Motion Fall River Coordinator Julie Kelly. (Row two)  Representative Bill Straus welcomes Erin Reed of the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program while Julie Kelly talks with Fall River School's Physical Education District Coordinator Brad Bustin who is part of the panel talking about "Kids in Motion". (Row three) Alliance President Bob Espindola welcomes the group and illustrates his talk with photos of the Quequechan Rail Trail and the new New Bedford Hurricane Barrier Walk. (Bottom row) Erin Reed begins by asking the audience how many used to ride their bikes to school and how many have children who do so today.