The 10th Annual BikeAbout took place on Saturday, May 8. More than 300 riders set out to learn some of Columbia’s history as they explored Columbia’s paths and open space.

At the first stop on the bike route riders learned that Oakland has a rich history, from Colonel George Gaither training Confederate troops on the lawn to being the home of Dag Hammarsjkold College whose mission was to foster international understanding. Participants discovered that the original Oakland, which was built in 1811, included a number of structures that are now part of the Wilde Lake village. They also found that history is still being made in Columbia as witnessed in the new streetscape in Oakland Mills Village Center and CA’s first dredging of Lake Elkhorn. The focus on history is a major objective of this event which each year explores a new route exposing riders to little known facts.

Another objective of the BikeAbout is to showcase Columbia’s paths and to promote the idea that bicycles can be used for transportation as well as recreation. The route utilized bicycle-friendly underpasses and the pedestrian bridge over Route 29.

Ten years of the BikeAbout have proven that there is always something new that can be learned about Columbia.

A 38-year resident commented “I saw new buildings and paths I hadn’t been on and I loved seeing parts of Columbia I hadn’t seen.”

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the BikeAbout there were a few added features to the annual event. There was a walking tour option for people and their canine friends and about 85 people participated in the self-guided tour from Town Center to Wilde Lake and back. A take-away brochure described features of Wilde Lake. There were vendors and music and Zumba and Tae Bo demonstrations and a bike safety rodeo for kids.

Kicking off the event was County Executive Ken Ulman proclaiming May as Bicycle Advocacy and Awareness Month in Howard County and a celebration commemorating the 20th anniversary of ground-breaking legislation requiring bicycle helmets for children 16 and younger.

The route and featured sites for this ride and past routes are available below.  Check out the pathway map to help navigate the routes.

Past BikeAbout Routes
10th Annual BikeAbout Route / 10th Annual BikeAbout Map
9th Annual BikeAbout Route
8th Annual BikeAbout Route
7th Annual BikeAbout Route
6th Annual BikeAbout Route
5th Annual BikeAbout Route