Bicyclists in the 3-and-under category fly off of the starting line during the the children's bicycle races downtown before Saturday's Tour of Lawrence in 2009. by Mike Yoder

This summer, Lawrence has seen professional cyclists come to town with the Tour of Lawrence, and is preparing for the marathon riders of Lizard Under the Skillet.

But soon everyone will have their own event.

The first Lawrence Community Bike Ride, sponsored by the Lawrence Central Rotary Club, will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at the Youth Sports Complex.

“Everybody can ride,” said Stephen Lane, chairman of the Lawrence Community Bike Club. “It doesn’t matter if you just put the training wheels on or have been riding for 50 years. We have something for everyone.”

The event features three rides for participants to choose from. The first is a one-mile easy loop at the YSC in southwest Lawrence. The second is a three-mile family ride to the Clinton Lake overlook and back. The third is an eight-mile ride to Langston Hughes elementary school where the patrons can stop and refuel (free apples, oranges, energy bars and water), and head back with an option to head out to I-70 and back for a total of about 12 miles, with a second chance to refuel.

Helmets and registration are required to participate. Registration is free, and you can register at ridelawrence.com.

“It is a pretty cool way to be active and healthy,” said Eli Edwards, who plans to participate. “I really like how the event is for everybody, and you don’t have to do a marathon or compete in a competition.”

Meanwhile, parents can teach their children how to ride without training wheels with the help of a professional from Safe Kids.

“I know parents might find it intimidating to teach their children how to ride without training wheels which is why we have experts from Safe Kids here to help them,” Lane said.

The Lawrence Central Rotary was established in 2003 with the goal to promote a healthy lifestyle. The club started ridelawrence.com, a clearinghouse for bicycling information in the Lawrence and Douglas County area. The club also placed custom Ride Lawrence bike racks throughout the city. The club now has its own bicycle riding event.

“We really have to thank our sponsors for this event because without them it would not be possible,” Lane said.

He added the club hopes to turn the bike ride into an annual event, but this depends on the success the event produces on July 16. Organizers hope at least 250 people attend and participate.