Berkshire Bike Path Council President Margie Cohen talks about the new bill that calls for motor vehicles to give cyclists room on the road. The bill also requires bike lights, which will be available on First Friday.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Around 20 cyclists departed from Park Square on Monday in celebration of Bay State Bike Month.

Nicholas Russo of Pittsfield Community Design Center said the bicycle enthusiasts are glad to see the city's efforts in supporting multimodal transportation including complete streets efforts on North Street and the Bike Facilities Master Plan.

"I think all of us are kind of on the same page that it's not just about a bike lane on the street. It's about making the safe network to choose how you want to travel all around Pittsfield whether you want to drive, ride your bike, walk, we should have those options available for everyone, in my opinion," he said.

"I think that's a very reasonable opinion so we're happy to see the city is agreeing with us and working to expand these facilities."

This kicked off a month of activities held by the Berkshire Bike Path Council. After a group ride downtown, participants went to Hot Plate Brewing Co. for a celebratory toast.

Mayor Linda Tyer pointed to the importance of bike infrastructure.

"As the mayor of your city and as somebody that lives here, I want to live in a place that offers all kinds of amenities for people of all abilities," she said.

The council was founded in 1999 and, for the last three years, had been virtual because of the pandemic. Its 300 members advocate for a 75-mile recreational trail the entire length of Berkshire County by using railway corridors and off-road bike paths where possible along with on-road bike lanes.

President Marjorie "Marge" Cohen said they were celebrating the passage of the Vulnerable User Act, which requires passing cars to give vulnerable road users 4 feet of space and makes it legal to do so.

Cohen explained that, in the commitment to sharing the road, cyclists must follow the rules of the road. Lights are now a part of the act and the BBPC distributed them to participants and will also be giving them out at the First Friday Artswalk later this week.

Other events include a Berkshire Bike Tour and Bike Fun on May 18 during the first Third Thursday of the year, Leave Your Car at Home on May 19, and Bikes Mean Business, a monthlong campaign in collaboration with Downtown Pittsfield Inc.

"I want to thank you for supporting safe cycling and keep pedaling," Cohen said.

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said a city can be designed to serve all modes of transportation equally in a safe way.

When Morales rides his bike to work, he feels like he can better interact with the community.

He reported that Streetscape improvements are still underway on Tyler Street, which includes the first official bike box allowing priority in an intersection and safe left turns, as well as pedestrian and bike accommodations on intersections near Berkshire Medical Center and the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

"A challenge for you, it's probably going to be an easy one because you guys pretty much all ride bikes already but for your friends and family, to get out more and enjoy the city in a different way, a much more connected and safer way," Morales said.

More information on Bay State Bike Month events can be found here.