The City of Jackson officially launches its proposal for a federal bicyclist and pedestrian safety initiative on Thursday, May 28, by hosting the event, Bike to Lunch at Smith Park, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to ride their bikes to Smith Park for the event, which will feature music, food trucks, a bike rack unveiling ceremony and other activities. Pedestrians are also welcome.

Mayor Tony T. Yarber issued a proclamation on Tuesday, May 19, for the city to join in the observance of May as National Bike Month. The city is participating in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s bicyclist and pedestrian safety initiative, dubbed the “Mayors’ Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets.”

The city is focusing on three of the seven challenges: complete streets, projects to support the future demand for bicycling and walking facilities and efforts to make facility improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists during resurfacing and other maintenance projects.

Visit http://www.dot.gov/mayors-challenge for more information about the Mayor’s Challenge.

For more details about the Bike to Lunch event, call Ramina Aghili at 601-960-1857 or e-mail raghili@city.jackson.ms.us.