5th Annual Tennessee Bike Summit

Bike Walk Tennessee and Bike Walk Chattanooga are coming together to get the community on board and on a bike.

The groups are hosting the 5th annual Tennessee Bike Summit.

Executive Director for Bike Walk Tennessee Matt Farr said the group is doing all they can to insure that cyclists have a safe place on the roadways.

“We fought a bill in the Tennessee legislator that sought to de fund bicycle projects that were funded by the gas tax at the state level. The bill was defeated we came together. it was the largest mobilization of bicycle advocates in the state of Tennessee history.”

Cyclists said they’re not just going along for the ride, they’re also helping to boost the economy.

“Studies have shown when people get outside and walk and ride their bikes they stop more often at local stores. They spend more money in restaurants.”

Many bike riders say they’re happy with the improvements Chattanooga has made.

Improvements like the protected bikes and the bike ride transit system, but said they want to see more improvements all across the Chattanooga area.

“I would like to see the continued development so that people can safely get from their neighborhood downtown to the urban core”, said member of Bike Walk Chattanooga member Chris Carr.