This past summer has been a great one for Huntington. People from all walks of life have been getting involved and helping make great things, like the dog park, a part of a better future for our city. However, as the weather starts to turn it is important that we don’t all hibernate for the winter. There are still plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, to meet your neighbors, and to make Huntington a city anyone would love to live in.

Don’t let our current budget crisis get you down either. Instead focus on those things you can change for the better. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways you can get involved is via the monthly Critical Mass ride.

At 6:30 p.m. on the third Friday of every month cyclists from across the city gather at the Ritter Park fountain to help raise awareness for cyclists. Even if you don’t often ride a bike it is a worthwhile event to participate in as it can help lead to safer streets for both drivers and cyclists. You can learn more about the monthly rides on the official Critical Mass Huntington Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/120181076062/.

While most Huntington residents use a car, bus, or taxi to get around there are many people who only ride a bike to get everywhere and knowing you can ride your bike safely inherently makes a city a more livable place.

Huntington Cycle & Sport is sponsoring the first ever Kidical Mass Huntington! It is on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m. The event involves a three-mile educational and family-friendly bike ride and gathering. You can learn more about Kidical Mass at http://asimplesix.com/kidicalmass.

Both of these events not only help make the streets safer but they are, to me, a symbol of the fitter community that we are becoming. Thanks to initiatives like Huntington’s Kitchen, the Huntington 5K and the success of stores like Jeff’s Bikes and Robert’s Running, it is easy to see that the people of Huntington are trying, and succeeding, to shed the unhealthy reputation we have.

To that end you should also know about a free 5K race that is coming up in December. Robert’s Running and Walking Shop will be celebrating their fifth anniversary by hosting the annual Ritter Park Offroad Challenge. The race is on Dec. 10. You can pre-register by going into either the Huntington or Charleston Robert’s location.

While you’re out running and riding if you think about other ways to help make Huntington better, plan on attending a weekly Chat ‘n’ Chew in the lobby of the Frederick. They are every Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. and are open to everyone. Just bring a positive attitude and meet with other concerned and passionate citizens that want to work with you to make a difference.