September 20 will be a Sunday afternoon celebration of cycling for families and kids in Nyack’s Memorial Park on the Hudson River. It’s a day for parents and kids to ride bikes, get some safety tips, and join an escorted bike ride through the Nyacks.

The 12 noon to 4pm event will include the AAA Bike Skills Rodeo, bicycle clinics and live entertainment by The Jeff Rubin Band.

“Biking is something that you can enjoy your entire life,” says co-producer Rachel Mack, owner of Mack Events Productions. “We want to get kids of all ages to embrace bicycling as a lifestyle choice and appreciate the rules of the road to become responsible and avid riders.”

The Village of Nyack Recreation Department and Bike Nyack are teaming up to make this event possible. “This is such a wonderful event for everyone,” says Nyack Mayor Jen Laird White. “Kids can learn how to ride safely and we can all be reminded of proper cycling etiquette. “Families can do something fun and healthy together. And, of course, what better place than Nyack…the village every cyclist wants to visit!”

Net proceeds from the event will benefit The Nyack Center. Sponsors include Tappan Zee Constructors, Weld Realty, Velo Bistro Wine Bar, TOGA Bikes, The Palisades Center, Wright Bros. Realty, Camp Bow Wow, Pentland Graphics, NyackNewsAndViews.com, Piermont Bike Connection and the Rockland County YMCA. A complete set of sponsors and additional info is available at NyackFamilyBikeDay.com.

An escorted parent and child bicycle ride to Nyack Beach State Park will be part of the days’ activities. Cyclists must complete a waiver to participate and parents must accompany their children. All riders must wear helmets, as required by law in Rockland County, NY.

“Walk-able, bike-able communities are the future, and are statistically becoming the most desired places to live in the USA,” says Sabrina Feldman Weld, owner of Weld Realty. “We are sponsoring Nyack Family Bike Day to celebrate the healthy lifestyle and wonderful quality of life Nyack has to offer, while promoting activism to maintain and increase walk- and bike-ability in our riverside village.” Weld says that bike-able and walk-able communities that include Smart Growth planning by creating safe routes for alternative transportation are setting an example for an improved quality of life, higher property values and healthier living.

Nyack Family Bike Day will include the “AAA Bike Rodeo,” where kids of all ages can learn bicycle safety skills by navigating a course with simulated real-life riding situations. Participants will have their bikes and helmets inspected and fitted and will then ride through a specially designed course with stations such as the Rock Dodge, Demon Driveway and Crazy Crossroads. More info is available at http://www.ny.aaa.com/Safety/SchoolsAndCommunity/Bicycle-And-Pedestrian-Safety/Bike-Rodeos.aspx.

Parents who need a hand helping their youngsters learn to ride a two-wheeler can register for bicycle training by emailing Recreation@Nyack-NY.gov. Also, any child who wants to participate but doesn’t have a bike can have their parents contact the Recreation Department to borrow a bike for this event.

Entertainment for Nyack Family Bike Day will be provided The Jeff Rubin Band, local musicians with a national reputation. Their members have played with American Idol’s Randy Jackson, Chuck Berry, The Temptations, Jose Feliciano, Bucky Pizzerelli , Danny Elfman’s Oingo Boingo band, the Concert for Bangladesh Band, Ben E. King, Hansen, the Bernie Worrell Orchestra and Zappa’s Utopia Band.

“For me, as a kid, biking brought freedom and independence, so one reason I support this great event is that it helps kids and families grow into empowered citizens, people who explore, appreciate and ultimately defend our quality of life,” says Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart. “Plus, it’s fun to ride a bike!” The Town of Orangetown is working on several bicycling initiatives for its bike routes and paths, including extending the JB Clark Rail Trail from Orangeburg near Lowes on Rt 303 up to the Blauvelt Library.

Nyack Family Bike Day is part of September’s Hudson River Valley Ramble, an annual event including walks, hikes, paddles, and biking tours showcasing the scenic, natural, historic and cultural resources of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. A complete listing of events is available at HudsonRiverValleyRamble.com