If you’ve been out near the Willie McTell Trail or the S&S Greenway this week, you might have noticed a few more bikes than usual gliding along. There’s a good reason for that — Mayor Jonathan McCollar and the City Council proclaimed May 11 through 17 as Statesboro Bike Week, and the Greener Boro Commission has put together a couple of fun ways for our neighbors here in Bulloch County to get involved.

I’ll be honest — between filling prescriptions at our four pharmacies and chasing my kids around, I don’t get out on two wheels as often as I’d like. But anything that gets folks moving, breathing fresh South Georgia air, and meeting their neighbors face-to-face? Walker Pharmacy is all the way in on that.

What’s Happening This Week

Today, Friday, May 15, is Bike to Work Day in the Boro. If you can swap the truck or the sedan for a bike on your morning commute, the Greener Boro Commission is asking folks to snap a quick photo when they arrive at the office and share it with the hashtag #statesborobikes. Even if you can only do part of the ride — coffee shop to office, or the last mile after parking somewhere downtown — it counts.

Then tomorrow, Saturday, May 16, is the one I’d circle on the calendar: a Community Bike Ride starting at 10 a.m. from the Pretoria Station — better known as “Five Points” — Trailhead on the S&S Greenway near Burkhalter Road. Riders will head out along the greenway and loop back. It’s open to the community, and from what I hear, it’s a relaxed, neighborly ride — not a race.

According to the Statesboro Herald, the proclamation read at the May 5 council meeting pointed out that May is already recognized as National Bike Month and Georgia Bike Month. Statesboro, as the proclamation put it, is “transitioning into a ‘bicycle friendly’ city,” and our network is growing — the S&S Greenway, the Willie McTell Trail, and the campus trails at Georgia Southern are starting to feel like a real connected system.

A Word From the Greener Boro Commission

Greener Boro Commission Chair Lissa Leege, along with members Andrew Michaud and Don Armel, accepted the proclamation from the mayor at the May 5 council meeting. Per the Statesboro Herald‘s reporting, Leege told the council that the commission has been working to expand alternative transportation options in town and that biking is good for our health, our wallets, and the environment. That’s the kind of community thinking I love seeing here in Bulloch County.

Why This Matters for Your Health

You know me — I’m always going to circle back to the health angle, because that’s the corner of the conversation Walker Pharmacy has been in since my family opened our doors back in 1984. A weekly bike ride isn’t just fun. It’s one of the most accessible forms of moderate cardiovascular exercise around, and that ripples through almost every chronic condition we help our patients manage here in Statesboro, Brooklet, and Lyons.

Regular cycling supports healthier blood pressure, helps with blood sugar control for folks managing type 2 diabetes, strengthens the heart over time, and — maybe most underrated — does wonderful things for mental health. Just getting outside under the Georgia pines for an hour can take the edge off a long week.

A few neighborly reminders before you saddle up:

• Wear a helmet. Every time. Pharmacist talking here — head injuries are one of those things we never want to see, especially the preventable ones.
• Hydrate. It’s already heating up in Southeast Georgia. Bring water, even for a short ride.
• Sunscreen, please. Reapply every couple of hours. Your dermatologist and I will both thank you.
• Check in with your doctor first if you have heart, joint, or balance concerns. A short, flat ride on a paved trail is usually a great place to start, but it never hurts to ask.

Walker Pharmacy in the Community

We’ve been part of this community for over forty years now — first my dad, now me, and the team across our four locations in Bulloch and Toombs Counties. Whether you stop in for a flu shot, a transfer, or just to say hi, we want you to think of us as your neighbors first and your pharmacy second. Events like Bike Week are exactly the kind of thing that make Statesboro feel like the small town we all love, even as we grow. You can always find out more about us at walkerpharmacy.com.

If you ride out on Saturday and see me on the trail, wave. I’ll probably be the one breathing harder than I should be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Saturday Community Bike Ride starting?

The ride starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the Pretoria Station Trailhead on the S&S Greenway — also called the “Five Points” trailhead — near Burkhalter Road in Statesboro.

Do I have to register for Bike to Work Day or the Saturday ride?

Per the city’s announcement reported in the Statesboro Herald, no registration is required. Just show up — and for Bike to Work Day, post your arrival photo with #statesborobikes.

What trails in Statesboro are good for casual cyclists?

The S&S Greenway and the Willie McTell Trail are both paved and pretty flat, which makes them very approachable for new riders and families. The campus trails at Georgia Southern University are also worth exploring.

Is biking really good exercise for older adults?

Yes — and often better than higher-impact options. Cycling is gentle on the knees and hips, supports cardiovascular health, and helps with balance. As always, talk with your physician before starting any new exercise routine, especially if you take medications that affect blood pressure or blood sugar.

What kind of helmet should I get?

Look for one that meets the CPSC safety standard — most major brands sold in the U.S. do. Fit matters more than price; the helmet should sit level on your head and shouldn’t slide around when you shake it. Walker Pharmacy doesn’t sell helmets, but we’re happy to point you toward local sporting goods stores.

Come Pedal With Us

Whether you’re a serious rider or you haven’t been on a bike since high school, this is a great week to dust it off and roll out. And if your prescriptions are still over at the chain down the road, let’s fix that while we’re at it — you can transfer over to a locally owned pharmacy that’s been part of this community for forty-plus years at walkerpharmacy.com/transfer-prescriptions/.

Hope to see you on the trail this weekend, neighbors.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or health advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist before making changes to your health regimen.

— Jordan Walker, PharmD | Owner, Walker Pharmacy

Walker Pharmacy — taking care of you like family since 1984.