In it’s very first week Dayton’s Bike Share program Link is breaking expectations. The program saw over 1,300 trips opening week and over 350 unique users checking out bikes. “We are thrilled to have over 1,300 trips in the first week,” says Executive Director Laura Estandia.

“Link bikes are awesome!” says local South Park resident Betsy Wilson. “My bike is old and is a hassle to drag out of the basement. With my membership, I just pick a bike, head to my destination downtown and check it back in. I live close to downtown, and often walk there, but the Link bike is a lot faster, and great for destinations that are too far for a quick walk. I have used Link bikes for five trips so far, and will be using them regularly in the future.”

Visit the Link booth at Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15 at RiverScape MetroPark from 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM, and the first 100 riders will receive a free 24-Hour Membership. You’ll also be able to enjoy a free pancake breakfast. Bike Miami Valley staff will be running a virtual kiosk to accommodate more riders who want to visit RiverScape. Riders can check their bike in at the virtual kiosk at the event.

Sponsors of the program include: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, CareSource, City of Dayton, Five Rivers MetroParks, Montgomery County, New Belgium Brewing Company, PNC, Premier Health, Public Health – Dayton and Montgomery County’s Creating Healthy Communities Program, Sinclair College, and the University of Dayton.

Link has 24 stations and a fleet of over 200 bikes. Users can purchase 24-Hour Memberships for $5 at station kiosks or a variety of other memberships online including a $65 Annual Membership. All Membership types include unlimited 30 minute checkouts. Link is a program by Bike Miami Valley and Greater Dayton RTA. For more information about Link, visit www.linkdayton.org.

Congratulations to Emmy Fabich, FRMP’s new Volunteer Coordinator of Outdoor Recreation and Events! Emmy’s position will support our MetroParks Volunteer Patrols (MVPs), recreational programs and riding center volunteers, as well as outdoor recreation and RiverScape events volunteers. She will coordinate volunteer support for trail building activities at MoMBA, too.

Some of you may already know Emmy as she has been with MetroParks for the past four years, previously serving as the Recreation Program Specialist in the Outdoor Connections Department. She has led overnight backpacking programs on the TVT, taught rescues and paddling strokes in kayaking programs at Eastwood, worked on bicycles during bike maintenance classes, and initiated the popular Try Slacklining programs, being a slacker herself.

Q: What makes you excited about being a Volunteer Coordinator?

A: “Having been at MetroParks for awhile, I am excited to take on new challenges in this role and look forward to interacting more regularly with volunteers. I think it is important to have a strong volunteer pool to support our great outdoor recreation opportunities so I’m enthusiastic about growing our numbers, as our programs and events get bigger and better. I’m also very excited about seeing more trail-building volunteers out at MoMBA now that I’ll be the contact for workdays. There is no way we could pull off the events or build the facilities we have without our volunteers. I look forward to hearing from more of you and getting you engaged!”

Q: When not recruiting volunteers for programs or events, where can we find you?

A: “In my spare time, I love to do the activities that parallel my previous position and my current one. You can find me outside any time of year, slacklining on some trees, commuting to work by bicycle, tearing-up single track at MoMBA or perfecting my kayak roll. When not recreating, I volunteer regularly with the local young professionals group – UpDayton, leading projects to attract and retain talent in downtown Dayton, something that is very important to me as a downtown resident. And I love to get my hands dirty building houses for Habitat for Humanity or wrenching on one of my three bicycles. I also love to cook!”

Thanks to Emmy, we are looking forward to growing the opportunities for recreation and urban events volunteers. Please contact Emmy by phone at 937-567-1413 or email at [email protected] to find out more about getting involved.

Want to volunteer? Take a look at these upcoming opportunities:

Trail Building Workdays

9 AM – Noon unless otherwise indicated.
2nd Saturday, May-October – TVT Trails (Meet at Germantown MetroPark Office)
3rd Saturday, May-October – Huffman MetroPark/MoMBA
Sugarcreek & Park-wide Workdays

Volunteer for National Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast

Friday, May 16 (all shifts are 6:30 – 9:30 AM)
RiverScape MetroPark Pavilion, 111 E. Monument Ave.
Leave your car in the garage, bike downtown, and support this fun-filled event.

Poster Distribution Volunteers for National Bike to Work Day events
Mid-April through the beginning of May, various locations
Pick up from Five Rivers MetroParks Main Office
409 E. Monument Avenue, 3rd Floor
Get Out & Live by hanging-up posters in your community to support National Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast and Bike Miami Valley regional events in May.

Bike to Work Trail Magic Stations – A Great MVP Opportunity!
Thursday, May 8, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
In preparation for Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast, volunteers are needed to send out a little trail magic. Stations are meant to bring awareness of bicycle commuting to recreational riders and families.