WHEREAS, Alaska offers spectacular scenery for biking and recreation on a multitude of roads and trails; and
WHEREAS, May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, and is celebrated in communities from coast to coast; and
WHEREAS, National Bike Month was established in 1956 and is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and to encourage more people to give biking a try; and
WHEREAS, nationally, inadequate levels of physical activity are associated with $117 billion in annual healthcare costs, and physical activity can reduce the risk of at least 20 chronic diseases and conditions and provide effective treatment for many of these conditions; and
WHEREAS, whether you bike to commute, to save money or time, to preserve your health and that of the environment, or simply to explore your community, biking is an opportunity to experience the outdoors through a helpful and fun medium; and
WHEREAS, when bicycling and walking infrastructure connects people to places they regularly visit, there are higher levels of physical activity for transportation, recreation, and all other purposes; and
WHEREAS, ensure personal bike safety by having your bike checked over by a qualified bicycling shop; by always wearing a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash; by riding in the right-most lane that goes in the direction that you are traveling; by obeying all stop signs, traffic lights, and lane markings; by looking before you change lanes or signal a turn, indicate your intention, and then act; and by being visible and predictable at all times, wear bright clothing, and signal turns
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim May 2023 as:
Alaska Bike Month
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to commit to making our roads safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Dated: May 1, 2023
