WHEN:     8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHO:      About 85 community leaders from Bowling Green, Warren County and the surrounding region will attend this half-day event. The summit is hosted by the City of Bowling Green and Bicycle Bowling Green, a local non-profit group.

WHAT:     Local leaders will learn how our area can benefit from becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community and identify opportunities and priorities for making Bowling Green a more bike-friendly place. Keynote speakers include:

    Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson – 8:30 to 9 a.m., with media availability immediately after his remarks.

Louisville's wildly successful Bike Louisville program routinely draws thousands of people to community rides. Abramson also has led efforts to create a “City of Parks,” a public-private partnership to add 3,000 acres of suburban parkland, establish a 100-mile loop trail around Louisville, and improve existing parks.

     Bill Nesper, director of the national Bicycle Friendly Community Program – 9 to 9:30 a.m.

More than 70 communities nationwide have earned Bicycle Friendly Community status, including Louisville and Lexington. The program has helped communities across America achieve a less-stressful lifestyle, a cleaner environment, affordable transportation and better health for themselves and their children.

WHY:  Communities that promote bicycling are cleaner, greener and healthier places to live. They also have a stronger economy, because a high quality of life increases property values, business growth and tourism.

CONTACT: For questions about the Bowling Green Bike Summit, please contact:

Sara Shipley Hiles, president, Bicycle Bowling Green

saraship@gmail.com or 270-783-7510