YOUNGSTOWN — The Healthy Community Partnership, the Mercy Health Stepping Out Program, Youngstown State University Campus Recreation, Bikeshare Youngstown, Thrive Mahoning Valley and YoGo Bike Share will launch Move the Valley, a new and expanded version of the longtime Walk the Valley initiative.

Walk the Valley has hosted the Walk Wednesday walking series at Wean Park since 2023. With new community partners, a new location and a new name, Move the Valley will launch a new walking group that will replace Walk Wednesdays at the Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market, which is every second and fourth Thursday beginning at 4 p.m. Walkers will meet in front of the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County on Wick Avenue at 5 p.m. through October for a 1-mile walk around downtown to return to the market.

In celebration of Bike Month and the May Commuter Challenge throughout May, Move the Valley will host a special kickoff event at 5 p.m. Thursday for a new beginner bike ride series. The rides will continue the second Thursdays of every month through October.

This special event offers participants three options to get active:

• Walking Group — Participants who choose to walk will enjoy a relaxed community stroll through downtown Youngstown led by a walk leader.

• Beginner Bike Ride (led by ride leaders from Thrive Mahoning Valley) — Beginner riders may choose to try a YoGo e-bike during a short 3-mile ride through downtown Youngstown and YSU campus’ bike infrastructure. The cost of the e-bike rental will be covered by the Healthy Community Partnership. The ride will take approximately 30 minutes.

• Advanced Bike (offered in partnership with the Thursday Night Bike Ride group) — Advanced riders are invited to join a 21-mile ride, lasting about 1.5 hours, led by Michael Billock and the Thursday Night Bike Ride group. Organizers encourage advanced, experienced cyclists to participate in this ride who feel comfortable riding on the road in a group and through Mill Creek Park. YoGo E-Bike rentals will not be available for the advanced ride. Cyclists for this ride should expect to bring their personal e-Bike or traditional bike for this ride. Helmets are required for all riders.

All groups will finish at the Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market in the back parking lot of the Main Library.

Beginner Bike Rides and Walks will be offered for the rest of the Move the Valley season from April to October. Walks will be at every Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays. Beginner Bike Ride Trainings will be the first Thursdays.

During regular walks and rides, the first 20 participants, whether walking or riding, will receive a $5 voucher for use exclusively at the Downtown Youngstown Farmers Market.

The goal of Move the Valley is to improve residents’ physical and mental health with regular outdoor physical activity and social connections to create a sense of community and belonging. Group walks and rides are ways to promote and use local public facilities like parks and bike infrastructure.

Anyone in the Mahoning Valley is invited and encouraged to attend and invest in their fitness and wellbeing one step, or ride, at a time.

Questions or comments can be directed to Robin Perry, Network Coordinator at the Healthy Community Partnership (rperry@hcpmahoningvalley.com) or 330-743-5555.