Bikers, led by Mayor Zack Tindall, took to the streets for last year’s ride through Berlin. The Berlin bike event will be held on May 18 this year. Courtesy Patti Stevens

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(May 4, 2023) May is National Bike Month and with that comes numerous opportunities to get out and ride.

The Maryland Coastal Bike Festival has planned three bike routes to explore Maryland’s scenic coastal region on May 6.

The three rides include an Island Ride, which is 17 miles to Assateague Island starts at 8 a.m.  A longer Surf and Turf ride combines 34 to 49 miles of beach with Maryland’s coastal backcountry trails starts at 7:30 a.m. The longest ride is Metric Century, covering 64 miles, starting at West Ocean City Harbor, through Assateague and the Worcester County countryside starts at 8 a.m.  Costs are $45 for the Island, $65 for the Surf and Turf and $75 for the Metric Century ride.

Packet pickup is on Friday, May 5 at Coconuts Beach Bar and Grill, located in Oceanfront Castle in the Sand Hotel at 3701 Atlantic Avenue.

All rides start at West Ocean City Public Boat Ramp lot at the intersection of Sunset Avenue and Golf Course Road and finish at OC’s famous harbor.

After the ride, bikers can join the celebration at Harbor Docks for craft beer, seafood, and lots of vendors.

On May 13, the third annual Snow Hill Community Bike Ride will be held at 9:30 a.m. for a four-mile route through Snow Hill along the proposed Snow Hill bikeways route.  Riders will meet at Byrd Park at 9:30 a.m. Riders can take a break for lunch and then head over for a longer afternoon ride through Ocean Pines.

The Ocean Pines ride starts at 3 p.m.  The 14-mile route will start and finish at the Ocean Pines Golf Club at 100 Clubhouse Drive.

The Clubhouse Bar & Grill will offer a free drink for participants, after the ride. The event will also feature live entertainment and free giveaways.

“We’re excited to continue this event and to share the benefits of bicycling with another group of people,” Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue said.

Then on Thursday, May 18, the Worcester County Bike and Pedestrian Coalition will host a three-mile ride through downtown Berlin starting at 6 pm.

Riders will meet at Roadie Joe’s for a demonstration from the Berlin Police Department on bicycle safety.  The ride will be led by Mayor Zack Tindall who, along with the Town Council, declared May National Bike Month.

A future Berlin Bikeway is planned from Heron Park through town and ending where Main Street intersects with 818 at 113.

“This would allow residents to travel on a shared use trail that parallels the existing railroad tracks through town for about two miles,” said Patti Stevens, community coordinator of the Worcester County Bike and Pedestrian Coalition.

A proposal is being submitted by the town to the state Department of Transportation by June 1 requesting funding for the bikeway from the Kim Lamphier Bikeways Grant Program.

Worcester County received funding from the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund through the Tri-County Council to develop a countywide greenway and trail plan.

This funding would allow the county to connect the trails being planned in Berlin, Snow Hill and Ocean City to produce a bigger network of trails.

“Berlin is the middle of the spine of this connecting network,” Stevens said.

For more information on all of the events visit:

May 6: Maryland Coastal Bike Festival: bit.ly/3NtFXt1

May 13: Snow Hill community bike ride: bit.ly/3NuNt7g

May 13: Ocean Pines bike ride: To register in advance, call 410-641-7052 or email rec@oceanpines.org

May 18: Berlin Bike Ride: https://visitmarylandscoast.org/event/berlin-community-bike-ride-1/2023-05-18