Quad Citizens are encouraged to ride their bicycle to the workplace May 12-16 during National Bike to Work Week. Participants may enjoy a variety of free breakfast items each day of the week at participating locations throughout the region, thanks to the Quad Cities Bicycle Club and other partners.
The Rock Island Downtown Alliance is partnering with Modern Woodmen of America, the Quad Cities Bicycle Club and Rock Island Parks & Recreation to host a free breakfast for bicycle commuters and supporters from 6 to 10 a.m. Friday, May 16 (Bike to Work Day), at Schwiebert Riverfront Park. Riders may enjoy breakfast burritos and coffee from QC Coffee and Pancake House, among other offerings, right off the Great River Trail at the entrance to the park.
“Downtown Rock Island and the surrounding area has a strong in-person workforce, and this is a fun way to bring people together and celebrate our great regional trail system,” said Jack Cullen, Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance. “Modern Woodmen of America is our largest private employer, and they are leading by example when it comes to promoting in-office work and bicycling.”
In September 2024, the fraternal financial services organization earned a Bicycle Friendly Business award from the League of American Bicyclists, becoming the first business in the Illinois Quad Cities to receive the designation. Modern Woodmen encourages bicycling through its support of an employee cycling club and bicycle-friendly infrastructure improvements. The organization has a dedicated bike area that includes a bike rack, commercial-grade bike repair and maintenance station, storage lockers, shared equipment and a map of bicycle trails in the Quad Cities metro area.
“Biking brings many benefits to our employees, our organization and the environment,” Jerry Lyphout, Modern Woodmen’s president and CEO, said in the news release about the Bicycle Friendly Business designation. “Supporting a bike-friendly environment improves employees’ health and wellness, positions us as a forward-thinking employer to attract top talent, helps us minimize our environmental impact and better connects us to our community.”
This marks the fourth consecutive Bike to Work Day event held in Downtown Rock Island. Visitors will get a glimpse of the new archway sign across the street from the park, part of the City of Rock Island’s Rebuild Downtown Rock Island Project.
WHAT: Bike to Work Day Breakfast
WHEN: 6-10 a.m. Friday, May 16
WHERE: Schwiebert Riverfront Park, 101 17th St., Rock Island, IL
DETAILS: Free breakfast items, including burritos and coffee from QC Coffee and Pancake House
More Bike to Work Week Activities