May is finally beginning to show off the warmer, greener side of Michigan; it also happens to be National Bike Month, providing perfect days for taking your two-wheeled pal for a joyride in the park (or to work, or to wherever your heart desires). Bikes are not only good for toning up the body, but saving fuel and in turn, saving the planet.
Some of the first models of what would eventually become bicycles were being created in 1817, and they gained enough momentum that by 1880, the League of American Wheelmen was created. Their main goal was to make it easier for people to be able to safely enjoy this new mode of transportation. They succeeded, and soon paved roads were becoming more popular, and this eventually led to creating some of the first highway systems. Back then, the League of American Wheelmen had over 100,000 members. In 1956, National Bike Month was established, and in 1997, they were renamed the League of American Bicyclists.
At the Clarke, we have quite a bit of material on bicycles and bicycling, both fiction and non-fiction, for young and old.
We hold more than a few books giving insight to some of Michigan’s best bicycle routes, by trail or by road:
And those are just a few! We also have some historical books and pamphlets, such as these:
And some adorable children's books, such as the Bobbsey Twins on a Bicycle Trip
and Miffy's Bicycle, which is my personal favorite
Bicycles are a widely loved invention, so it's no wonder that there is a whole month dedicated to them. If you've found yourself interested in them, stop by the Clarke and take a look at what we've got! The main goal of National Bike Month is to remind everyone the benefits of taking a spin, and maybe even adapting it into your everyday life to start making a bigger difference.
And don't forget, all you cycling fans, Le Tour de Mount Pleasant is just around the corner, coming up on the weekend of June 6th through the 8th!