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Avoiding Friday's downpour, Tikes, Trikes, and Trails saw a good turnout Saturday according to Hannah Rice, Hot Springs Trails coordinator.

Usually held in the fall at Entergy Park, it was the first time for the event to be held in spring at the Hot Springs Transportation Depot from 10 a.m. to noon.

With the sun shining and temperatures in the 60s, the outing was a stark contrast to the past few times when rain soaked their plans. The last iteration of the bicycling event was held before the pandemic, with Rice suggesting that the program be reintroduced in the springtime when the weather is ideal.

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Coleman Gocio, the owner of Hot Springs Bicycle Touring Company, supplied 17 bikes for the program to be used by those who don't have a bike of their own. At least 22 children and adults made use of the bikes Saturday. The company, located at 436 Broadway St., rents out bikes, e-bikes and trailers for adults and kids, as well as a pet trailer, and provides tours of downtown Hot Springs.

"It's all about promoting the Greenway," said Gocio. "Getting people to just actually know that the Greenway's there, how fun it is, how interesting all the art along the Greenway is."

The ride down the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail takes an estimated 40 minutes one way and 40 minutes back according to Rice, depending on several factors.

With another mile-and-a-half expansion planned for the path to Television Hill Road, the trail is set to increase to 5 miles, according to Gocio. The trail currently terminates where Adams Street meets Seneca Street. There are also plans to put a kayak put-in at the end of the trail.

"It's going to be a really amazing amenity," said Gocio. "And just the other parks that it goes through, the dog park, and by the new pump track and the skatepark. Lots to check out."

On top of getting people healthy and helping kids to learn the skill of riding a bike, the event also aims to shed light on the importance of developing alternative forms of transportation. With many cities around the country and the state starting to prioritize walkability, the trail is a head start in making the downtown area accessible to pedestrians as well as cyclists.

"It'll be fantastic, too, for even people that are wheelchair-bound to get to downtown and the farmers market," said Rice. "So, we're really just looking forward to that alternative transportation aspect."

At the event, participants were able to take home free shirts, bracelets and other gear. The Hot Springs Parks and Trails Department would like to eventually take donations for bicycles, helmets and other gear for future Tikes, Trikes and Trails events.

"I know T-shirts and little knickknacks are nice and all, but a bike would be really cool to give to a kid who's really invested in this," said Rice.

Rice says that they may host another Tikes, Trikes and Trails in the fall at Entergy Park, but that this was a "really good entryway into the summer."

Print Headline: WATCH | Tikes, Trikes and Trails enjoys good weather, turnout

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