"LIFE IS LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE"
—Albert Einstein
Very, very few small Ontario towns have really embraced cycling. Actually, in my travels I haven’t found one yet. Cycling is a way to improve health, reduce car dependency, and fight climate change. Did you know that most car trips are a distance that a cyclist can handle easily? Amherstburg has dabbled with a few bike lanes, but it has not done near as much as it could do. Amherstburg could easily be a cycling leader in Ontario small towns. 
WHAT MAKES AMHERSTBURG GREAT: COMMUNITY
One of the things that makes Amherstburg great is its connection to CWATS (County Wide Active Transportation System) with its 651km of tails and paths. Already, you can ride a bike from Amherstburg to Holiday Beach on a CWATS paved shoulder. The beautiful greenway trail is only a short ride from downtown. Its trails offer a beautiful, nature-filled ride to McGregor, Harrow, Kingsville, and beyond. Check out the old train track mile markers when you venture out.
The best, most impactful way Amherstburg could make a commitment to cycling is to add PROTECTED bike lanes along Sandwich. Sandwich Street is wide enough to accommodate protected bike lanes going north and south. For cycling to catch on, we have to have safe bike lanes and streets with lower speed limits. Will anyone running for council this fall be progressive enough to champion bike lanes? It sure would help Amherstburg to be one of the very best small towns in Ontario.
This weekend Amherstburg salutes cycling with "Cycle the Burg," hosted by the Windsor Essex Bike Community. Enjoy the Krusher BMX Stunt Show, group rides, and cycle-focused vendors, plus other Open Air goodies.
WHAT MAKES AMHERSTBURG GREAT: WHAT'S NEXT
Next week we talk about an important Amherstburg investment in our health and wellness: The Libro Centre
IT'S A' ME, MARIO! AT RIVER BOOKSHOP SATURDAY
Come meet Mario! On Saturday, August 15th, you can meet this beloved video game character at River Bookshop. Calling all gamers! Join us for an all ages visit and photo opp.
Take a stroll through Open Air and cool off at the bookshop with the family for some Super Mario fun.
CANADIAN COAST GUARD STORY TIME
Have you ever wondered what happens at our local Coast Guard station? Learn all about it at this weekend's reading outside in the streets, or if weather is questionable, meet us inside in the Children's Nook.
Bring your littles to Sunday Story Time at 11AM, and join Stacey Trombley of the Canadian Coast Guard when she joins us to share information about her important job on the water, and to read some stories too.
CYCLE THE 'BURG: OPEN AIR SCHEDULE
Join us for Open Air Weekend August 14 to 16! This weekend the Windsor Essex Bike Community will join in with their "Cycle the Burg" event. Learn about bicycle sports and take part in our daily activities like scavenger hunts and street games!
What's Happening This Weekend
Friday
- Night Market: 5-9pm
- Live Music: Bagpipes in the ‘Burg, 7pm
Saturday
- 8am: Acai Yoga/Pilates
- 2pm: Historical Tour
Sunday
- 10am: Yoga in the Park
- 11am: Story Time Sundays at River Bookshop
- 2pm: Historical Tour
- 3pm: Coffee and Culture
- 4-6pm: Jenna & Liam
This Open Air Weekend will be action-packed with event programming from WEBC. This event will kick off with the dynamic bike stunt team of Jagger, and shows will continue on Saturday. Cycle-focused vendors will be set up to assist with questions or products for cyclists. Sunday will slow down with a group organized ride to the WEBC mountain bike trails and networking social.
PEDDIE'S PICK: THIS MONTH'S SELECTION
In case you missed it last week, we have a new monthly segment called Peddie's Pick.
Richard became an early bibliophile because his Dad read Thornton Burgess books to him when he was very young. Today Richard reads over 100 very diverse books every year.
Welcome to Peddie’s Pick #1—"Surprised that I picked a romcom and not a book about some hockey player or business titan? As Meghan said, I do like to mix it up in my book selections. Over the next many months I hope we will share a wide range of reads together."
You can check out Libby Page's This Book Made Me Think Of You in store or on our website!
On Saturday we welcomed two local authors, Karl E. Jirgens and G. A. Grisenthwaite (pictured above). Huge thanks to our very talented authors, and to all who joined us for this Open Air reading and book signing. Special thanks to Carol Bell for providing birthday cake to our audience to celebrate our 6th birthday. Thanks Carol!
So much to see and do in Amherstburg!
We hope to see you downtown this weekend.
The River Bookshop Team