Broad Street will transform into a car-free corridor for walking, biking and rolling when Bethlehem hosts its first Bike Broad event on Sept. 12.
The free community event, organized by the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation in partnership with the City of Bethlehem, will begin at 9 a.m. and open the street to participants of all ages and abilities. Registration is now available.
The route will start at the Bethlehem Rose Garden and extend to downtown Bethlehem, with cyclists turning around at CAT’s location at Main Street. Following the car-free street experience, a community festival will run until noon at the Rose Garden, featuring music, food vendors, local businesses and the Bethlehem Rose Garden Farmers’ Market.
According to organizers, the event showcases Bethlehem’s Complete Streets vision by allowing residents to experience the future of the corridor, including protected bicycle lanes, traffic-calming measures and safer pedestrian crossings.
“By opening Broad Street to people instead of traffic, we’re creating an opportunity for residents and families to experience our city in a new way while highlighting the importance of safer streets, healthy neighborhoods and strong local partnerships,” Mayor J. William Reynolds said in a statement.
Scott Slingerland, executive director of CAT, said the event extends beyond recreation.
“This is about more than a bike ride—it’s about creating space for people to come together, support local organizations and reimagine how we use our streets,” Slingerland said.
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Registration is free with suggested donations supporting CAT’s programs that improve walking, biking, ADA accessibility and public transportation throughout the Lehigh Valley. The event has secured sponsorships from PPL Foundation, Piscitello Law, Blue Zones Bethlehem, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, THE LINK Trail Network, Working Dog Press and Aardvark Sports Shop.
Organizers hope to establish Bike Broad as an annual tradition celebrating community, healthy living, sustainability and safe streets.
To register or for more information, visit lvcat.org/bike-broad.
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