The wheels are in motion for the Bike/Walk-a-Thon sponsored by the peace and justice organization LEPOCO (Lehigh-Pocono Committee of Concern) to raise funds for its ongoing work. The event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 9.

As a local peace group, LEPOCO has worked locally since 1965 to build a just society and a peaceful world through nonviolent action.

“It’s a fundraiser to support our ongoing programs, but it’s also a little bit symbolic with an environmental message,” said Nancy Tate, who serves as LEPOCO coordinator along with Amanda Zaniesienko.

Noting the event was first held in 1979, Tate said, “There was not as much biking when we started. There’s much more now, especially during COVID. We also have walking for those who are not up to biking. It also builds community within the organization.”

Tate said the event was often held in the spring, though canceled last year due to COVID. She said since the weather around Memorial Day can be hot and muggy, they are hoping for nicer, more pleasant weather this year in early fall.

The event will kick off at Rosemont Lutheran Church at 1705 W. Broad St., where the LEPOCO Peace Center moved its offices in June 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. Participants will gather on the front lawn beginning at 8:15 a.m. for a light breakfast, bike safety check, registration and body warm-up. Participants will leave at 9 a.m. to walk 4.5-6.5 miles or bike 23 miles. Each participant will ask co-workers, friends and family to sponsor them for a dollar per mile amount or a flat fee. For those not able to collect pledges, a minimum $10 self-pledge is suggested.

This year’s participants include Rosemont pastor the Rev. Jack Steltzer.

Tate said in the past, the event has raised between $1,000 and $2,000.

When participants complete their routes, the pledges will be collected. The event will wrap up at Rosemont by about noon. All participants are expected to be vaccinated.

Joining Tate and Zaniesienko in bringing the event to fruition on the planning committee are Diane Dilendik, convener of the committee; Scott Slingerland, director of CAT – Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, who mapped out the bike route; and Walt Garvin.

Walkers will start at Rosemont and walk through lovely West Side neighborhoods to the towpath and back on the Southside Greenway. A shuttle back to the church will be available from the parking lot near the tennis courts on Sand Island. If walkers take the shuttle, the route will be 4.5 miles, or 6.5 miles if they walk back to the church.

For bikers, this year’s all-new route is a blend of neighborhood streets and multi-use trails that highlights how to peacefully connect the LEPOCO Peace Center to Bethlehem’s Southside Greenway Trail and the Saucon Rail Trail in Hellertown to the turn-around at Upper Saucon Township Community Park. This route is 59 percent on paved/gravel trails, 19 percent on quiet rural roads, 17 percent on neighborhood streets and 10 percent on urban connector roads. Instead of going of the mountain, bikers will be going around it – no big hills.

Maps will be provided at the start. The ride/walk will take two to four hours to complete. A LEPOCO support vehicle will be on call to assist tired participants or bikers with problems.

Riders are encouraged to take their bikes to CAT at 1935 W. Broad St. for a complimentary mechanical check before the event.

LEPOCO thanks the following businesses and organizations for generously supplying the Bike/Walk-a-Thon with in-kind contributions: Aardvark Sports Shop, Bethlehem; Book and Puppet Store, Easton; CAT – Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, Bethlehem; Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem; Nature’s Way Market, Easton; Saucon Valley Bikes, Hellertown; and Tom Ardizzone Tai Chi, Bethlehem.

The event will be held in light or intermittent rain. If there is a steady rain, call the LEPOCO Peace Center for confirmation. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 10 – gather at noon, walk and ride at 12:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in biking or walking may contact the LEPOCO Peace Center for pledge sheets at 610-691-8730.

For more information on LEPOCO visit https://www.lepoco.org/.