What could be better than enjoying a sun-splashed, warm autumn morning in the great outdoors? Or doing something worthwhile to advance local efforts for peace and justice? What if you could combine the two?

That’s exactly what happened Oct. 15 for participants in 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.

Bikers and walkers got rolling at 9 a.m. from Rosemont Lutheran Church, where LEPOCO Peace Center offices are housed in the church basement. “It’s a shame we still have to be supporting anti-war efforts,” rider Daniel Miller of Coopersburg said. “LEPOCO started in 1965 in response to the Vietnam War. Here we are in 2022 still battling aggressive autocrats like Putin,” Miller, a member of LEPOCO, said, referencing Russia’s horrific invasion of Ukraine.

“LEPOCO stands with Ukraine,” Miller said.

“We were most grateful to all the walkers, riders, pledgers, sponsors and volunteers,” said Nancy Tate, who serves as LEPOCO coordinator along with Amanda Zaniesienko. “We were especially grateful to the people who walked and rode for the event for the first time.

“As always for walkers, it was a great time to catch up on news about what is happening in people’s lives and what folks are doing for peace and a better world,” Tate said.

Zaniesienko said more than 30 participants supported the event, including bikers, walkers and volunteers, and noted 100 percent of money raised through pledges goes to fund LEPOCO’s work.

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

“We had a perfect day for the event - sunny and lovely weather in the 60’s. It was a glorious day to be out and about!” Dilendik said.

“I love riding,” Yani of Bethlehem, a member of CAT who has a passion of cycling and biked with her friend Karen, said. “I’m happy to support organizations and promote awareness,” Yani said, adding she was also there to practice safety on the road and on the trail.

Bikers pedaled through neighborhood streets, the Southside Bethlehem Greenway and Saucon Rail Trail for a total of 23 miles with a rest stop halfway at Upper Saucon Community Park. Walkers strolled through town to the D&L Trail (Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor) for options of a 4.5 or 6.5 mile walk, depending if walkers opted to take a shuttle back to the church from Sand Island.

One snag in the plans for bikers was construction on the Southside Bethlehem Greenway, but Slingerland found a way around it. “The bike route detoured up Lynn Avenue and William St. to avoid construction on the Southside Bethlehem Greenway – adding a decent hill,” Slingerland said. “Otherwise the ride went well and we enjoyed the perfect autumn day.”

LEPOCO’s first Bike/Walk-a-Thon took place in 1979. As a local peace group LEPOCO has worked locally since 1965 to build a just society and a peaceful world through non-violent action.

CAT is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization serving adults and children of Lehigh and Northampton counties with educational programming, public outreach, and advocacy with local municipalities, police departments, schools and bike shops. Its programs include Bicycle Cooperative, Mechanics Classes, Traffic Training, Adult Bike-to-Work, Youth Bike Education, Yield to Pedestrians, Try Transit, Adopt-a-Bus Stop and Love Your Local Trail.

Anyone who did not participate in the Bike/Walk-a-Thon but would like to make a monetary donation may contact the LEPOCO Peace Center at 610-691-8730 or visit https://www.lepoco.org/.