Westchester's Bicycle Sundays Take Over Bronx River Parkway

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Toni Wang stopped to post one last text message Sunday morning before taking off on her bicycle from Scarsdale Road in Yonkers on a round trip to White Plains, courtesy of Westchester County's Bicycle Sundays program.

Cyclists from the Yonkers Bike Club (in orange) enter the Bicycle Sundays course at Scarsdale Road in Yonkers, Sunday May 11.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore

Dorothy Weinstein of New Rochelle, and a friend get set for the 13.1 mile ride from Yonkers to White Pains during Westchester County's Bicycle Sundays program.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Toni Wang joined the Bicycle Sundays course in Tuckahoe for a ride to White Plains and back on May 10.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Cyclists meet at the southern end of the Bronx River Parkway that is closed to car traffic for Bicycle Sundays in May, June and September.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

by Danny LoPriore

05/12/2014 5:05 a.m.

"I came out last Sunday and today and I plan to come every week," said Wang, who lives in Tuckahoe. "It's a great trip all the way to White Plains and back. There are some hills, but you have the nice views along the parkway and a good ride."

Bicycle Sundays closes a 13.1-mile section of the Bronx River Parkway from the Westchester County Center in White Plains to Scarsdale Road on the Yonkers-Tuckahoe border to cars and allows cyclists, joggers, walkers, scooters and strollers a free ride on the scenic parkway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m

"It is a terrific," New Rochelle's Dorothy Weinstein said as she stopped in Tuckahoe with friend Ruth Rosen of Scarsdale. "We started on on Harlan Road in New Rochelle, came south over to the entrance here (Scarsdale Road) and will ride up to White Plains and back, about 18 miles or so. We really enjoy the day."

The Sunday event runs through June, takes July and August off, then resumes for month of September. Westchester County Police monitor traffic -- motorists are often unaware that the section of highway is closed -- and assist with any minor incidents.

"You some accidents, people falling or bikes, but it's usually pretty quite and calm," said Ronald Fisher, an Eastchester resident who rides up to 50 miles on the stretch each Sunday. "Mostly, you see motorists who are upset that the parkway is closed. But it's a nice way to slow life down a bit."

There are many points of entry and exit along the way where parking is free on local streets. Parking is available at the County Center lot in White Plains for a fee of $5.

Bicycle Sunday events will continue May 18; June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; and Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28

Bicycle Sundays sponsored by Con Edison and Friends of Westchester County Parks, is presented by Westchester County Parks. Additional support is provided by 100.7 WHUD radio.

Cyclists, in-line skaters, scooters, walkers and joggers are allowed on the parkway. Walkers, joggers and slower wheeled (children) traffic must use the right lane. Faster wheeled traffic must use left lane.

For more information on rules and requirements for participation in Bicycle Sundays, log on to the Westchester County website page.

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