Dads, kids, and community leaders gathered at Carolyn Crayton Park on Saturday, November 2 for a day filled with positivity and pedaling! The first ever Bike with Dads event brought out about 50 people, including children, to cycle around the park.

This event was a partnership among Macon Violence Prevention (MVP), U Create Macon, Major Taylor Kidz, United Way of Central Georgia's Parents as Teachers program, and FB4K.

"It was such a great way to bring families together, while working with community partners to help them be safer," said MVP Coordinator Jeremy Grissom. "While this was our first Bike with Dads event, it will not be our last."

The event was free and open to everyone. U Create Macon provided free helmets and had bicycles for kids to borrow.

"Cycling brings families together and to partner with MVP to support this innovation programming was a dream come true. It was truly a magical day," said U Create Macon Founder Charise Stephens. "It was an opportunity to bond and work on our physical and mental health under the banner of childhood fun. We had a ball!"

"Events like this strengthen our community by investing in the relationships of parents and children. While children think they will just be taking a bike ride, these dads will make memories that will last a lifetime," said United Way of Central Georgia COO Carl Tims.

"We want to give dads their flowers and encourage them to participate in new activities with their children," added Grissom.

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