Wheel Share Safety Week is August 19 through 23

(Spokane, WA) In an effort to expand wheel share safety and education for visitors, employees, and residents, the community is invited to participate in Wheel Safety Week, August 19 through 23. A variety of activities are planned in partnership with representatives from Lime, the City of Spokane, non-profits, and the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP). 

The public in invited to get involved in a variety of ways listed below:

• Be a Volunteer:  Help inform riders when you volunteer to stencil safety signs on the corner of downtown sidewalks daily from 9:00am to Noon.  Volunteers will be awarded $10 Lime Credit.
• Participate in 1st Ride Academy on August 21: This class includes education on where to ride and park vehicles and short practice rides followed by a longer group ride through Riverfront Park to Kendall Yards and downtown, completing scooter education and rider training.  After riders get experience using the scooters and bikes at the First Ride Academy, they may find it easer to access destinations throughout downtown with the shared bikes and scooters.  Attendees will be eligible for a free helmet.
• Wrap up the week with Wheel Share Day: Friday August 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., join representatives on Wall Street between Main and Riverside.  City staff will be installing the first “Parking Zone’ and providing visitors with resources on recommended best bike and scooter routes and code of conduct.  Lime will be providing free ride demonstrations and the Spokane Bicycle Club, East Spokane Kiwanis Club, Commute Smart Northwest, Spokane Regional Health District, Hand representatives from Spokane Fire Department and Spokane Police Department educate attendees on bicycle and helmet safety best practices.

WheelShare Week is intended to place a spotlight on all the resources available for bicycling and scooting safely in Spokane’s downtown, enabling downtown residents and employees to try out the scooters and bikes in a safe environment. “Our collaboration with Lime and the City of Spokane is important for the community because, with the growing pedestrian and multi modal transportation use in downtown, downtown sidewalks tend to get busy,” says DSP Vice President of Public Policy & Parking, Andrew Rolwes. “We want the public to have a better understanding of ways to stay safe which transportation types belong on which part of the street and sidewalk.”

Individuals or organizations interested in volunteering, learning more about bicycling resources in Spokane, or participating in WheelShare Safety Day can contact  Kelly Blyth, DSP Business Relations Manager, at kblyth@downtownspokane.net. 

About Downtown Spokane

The DSP is a private, non-profit membership organization that serves as Spokane's central city advocate and service provider, dedicated to enhancing the quality and vitality of Downtown Spokane as the basis for a healthy region. The DSP accomplishes its mission through advocating for public policies, business and project development, quality planning, physical improvement projects, public safety, beautification, and marketing programs that ensure downtown's continued success. To learn more, visit www.downtownspokane.org.