The Westport Parks & Recreation Kick-Off to Summer event once again proved what makes our community so special: families coming together, children discovering the joy of riding bikes, and neighbors working toward a shared vision of safer streets for everyone.

This year’s Walk Bike Westport Bike Rodeo was our biggest yet. Led by Officer Edward Batlin of the Westport Police Department, young riders had the opportunity to practice essential bike-handling skills, build confidence, and learn the fundamentals of riding safely—all while having an incredible time.

Beyond the obstacle course, some of the day’s most meaningful moments happened through conversations with parents. We spoke with dozens of families, and one message came through loud and clear: Westport families want more opportunities for children to ride safely.

Parents told us they are looking for:

Help teaching their children to ride.
Safe routes where families can ride together.
Better infrastructure and connections that allow kids to bike to school safely.

These aren’t simply nice-to-have amenities—they’re community needs. Every child should have the opportunity to experience the freedom, independence, and confidence that comes from riding a bicycle safely. Creating streets that are safe for people of all ages and abilities isn’t a luxury; it’s an investment in healthier families, stronger neighborhoods, and a more connected Westport.

We are incredibly grateful to Northeast Community Cycles for generously providing several bicycles that helped make this year’s Bike Rodeo possible. As a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Northeast Community Cycles refurbishes donated bicycles and provides them free of charge to children and adults in need. If you have bicycles collecting dust in your garage, we encourage you to consider donating them—they’ll find a new life with someone who truly needs them.

Events like Kick-Off to Summer remind us that building a more walkable and bike-able Westport is a community effort. From parents and students to police officers, volunteers, local organizations, and businesses, we’re seeing growing enthusiasm for creating safer, more welcoming streets for everyone.

Thank you to Westport Parks & Recreation for organizing another fantastic community event, to Officer Edward Batlin and the Westport Police Department for leading the Bike Rodeo, to our volunteers Nancy Kail & David Sternberg, to Northeast Community Cycles for the bikes, and to every family who stopped by to ride, learn, and share their ideas.

The momentum is real, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.

Let’s keep walking—and riding—forward.

Kick off to Summer with Parks & Rec

Rise and Ride at Kings Highway School