May is National Bike Month, and the City of Perry takes it very seriously.

In particular, there is a volunteer group called Pedal Perry, whose sole purpose is to get the many riders on the Raccoon River Valley Trail into the City. Chamber of Commerce Director Bob Wilson says their work so far has involved erecting a three-sided kiosk on the trail just south of Highway 141. The kiosk has information about Perry’s history, trail history, and a downtown and community map. Additionally, it has information about a website that provides an advanced directory with the bike-friendly business program.

Wilson explains why Perry takes cycling so seriously. “Cycling is more than just having fun on a bike to us. It’s economic development, it’s potential money coming into our community through tourism dollars. And that’s what this group’s trying to do, is capture those dollars, get people into our community, spend some money. And then who knows when they’ll come back? Maybe they’ll come back with a busload or something like that.”

Pedal Perry has reconvened after a winter hiatus, and Wilson says right now they’re concentrating on their missions and goals for this riding season. That includes placing additional signs on other places on the trail. For more information about Pedal Perry, listen to last Friday’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.