By Mayor Cameron Smyth
What is your favorite way to enjoy beautiful weather in the City? Maybe it’s a nice stroll along the paseos or enjoying the variety of shopping and dining opportunities we have in town. For me, I love to take in picturesque views of the City during hikes and bike rides on our safe and convenient trails and bike paths.
Did you know the League of American Bicyclists recently recognized the City of Santa Clarita with a silver-
level Bicycle-Friendly Community award? This is a huge accomplishment for our community, which is known for its miles of off-street trails and natural beauty. The league evaluated more than 850 applicants on their efforts to provide cycling-friendly conditions through investments in infrastructure, programming and bike events.
Applications were evaluated in five categories, including engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation, and planning. The award recognizes the City for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices.
I am proud to say that out of hundreds of applicants, Santa Clarita is one of six cities in the nation that has moved up to a Silver-Level designation.
Rolling back into town this spring is Bike to Work Day! This year, Bike to Work Day will be held on Thursday, May 14. Local businesses are encouraged to register and visit a pit-stop on the way in to work. Prizes and giveaways will be available as organizations compete to see who can garner the most participation among their staff!
Our bike paths are part of what makes Santa Clarita so special. Not only is bicycling a fun recreational activity, but it also improves the health of the environment! To learn more about Bike to Work Day, visit greensantaclarita.com.
In addition to excellent bike paths,
Santa Clarita has a variety of well-
maintained trails and open spaces. From Haskell Canyon Open Space to East Walker Ranch, you can breathe in the fresh air and admire scenic views all around the City.
A perfect opportunity for you to enjoy our trails and support a good cause, is the first-ever Santa Clarita Sister Cities Charity Hike on Sunday, March 15. Proceeds from the event will go toward educational efforts in Santa Clarita’s sister cities in Nicaragua and the Philippines. For more information, please visit santa-clarita.com/SisterCities.
The next time you’re out exploring our trails, make sure to snap a picture of your favorite view and submit it as part of the City’s photo contest! This spring, the photo contest will celebrate our natural environment as the theme is “Trails and Open Spaces.” You’ll have the chance to show off your photography skills and compete to win a cash prize of $300, $150 or $50!
Visit santa-clarita.com/Photo
Contest for more information.
Are you ready to enjoy the outdoors this spring? To plan your next bike ride or hiking adventure, visit BikeSantaClarita.com or HikeSanta
Clarita.com. See you on the trails!
Mayor Cameron Smyth is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at [email protected]. The views expressed in his column are those of the city and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal.
