5 Questions: Bike Festival Creator Says Event Celebrates 'One of the Best Cities in This Country'

The second annual happens Sunday in downtown Birmingham, and soon downtown streets will be filled with hundreds of bikes, riders and their fans.

Patch sat down with the festival's creator, Jeff Surnow, to learn what's he's looking forward to, what's new and how they'll be addressing .

Surnow is the owner of the Birmingham-based , located at the corner of Bates and Maple.

Birmingham Patch: What's your favorite new addition to the Birmingham Bike Festival this year?

Jeff Surnow: Without hesitation, the added children's charities is my favorite part of the festival (including Mott's Children's Hospital, the Miles Levin Foundation, Make-A-Wish, etc.). To have the opportunity to help children who are sick is beyond words for me. The people who I have worked with on this are amazing and giving individuals.

In addition, I think the people who attend will also enjoy the four musical groups we have, along with the Cooper Street Cokies, ice cream and other fun family events.

Patch: How much community support, or critiques, have you received over the year?

Surnow: The city of Birmingham and the has been extremely helpful with the festival. The police department and parks and recreation have done everything in their power to make this a safe and fun event. ... The only thing I hear is how much people like our mailer/magazine and are excited for the event.

Patch: There was some criticism following last year's bike festival, particularly from downtown residents who weren't able to get out of thei parking garages or didn't like the noise. How do you plan on addressing those criticisms?

Surnow: Last year was my first year and I made some mistakes that I have learned from: I have met with the representatives of the several times over the past year to work out the problems they experienced.

Regarding the loud speakers in the park, I have reduced it to one speaker and will not turn it on before 10 a.m. This sound system's primary purpose is to announce the winners of the races throughout the day.

In addition, I am having a police officer at the entrance/corner of Merrill and Pierce to help guide our volunteers and the Merrillwood residents and their visitors safetly in and out of the building. I have given the building manager a walkee-talkee so he can alert us of any issues he may have.

I take the issues of the residents very seriously and want to make this festival a great experience for everyone to the best of my ability.

Patch: Besides the , are there any other cool stories from this year's festival?

Surnow: Adam Rose, our hand cyclist, will be racing in the event and his story and inspiration is amazing. The charities we are having were selected by individual members of the committee for personal reasons and I believe this is what make it so special: the passion and motivations supporting them.

I think the four musical groups will be smash hit at the pavillion. You will also be able to try out a variety of bikes at the Trek Bicycle display — they'll let you ride the same bikes that the pros ride at the Tour de France.

Patch:  Why do you think something like the Birmingham Bike Festival fits with Birmingham and can be a sustainable event in the future?

Surnow: The festival is a celebration of what I consider one of the best cities in this country. I want to educate pedestrians, motorists and cyclists on how to get along safetly and respect each other.

Exposing the community to the thrill of racing (either as a spectator or participant), the fun of a family/kids race, the amazement of watching disable people race hand cycles, and the inclusion of benefiting charities, like the Miles4Miles ride, in my opinion, demonstrates how well-rounded Birmingham is.

Birmingham is already one of the top walkable communities in the country. I want to make it a bike-friendly community also. The benefits are limitless. And let's not forget it's fun.

For more information on the 2012 Birmingham Bike Festival, visit and .