The goal of the Honolulu Century Ride has remained unchanged since the event's inception in 1982.

It's about promoting, educating and family fun. Official times aren't recorded and racing is discouraged.

The 25th edition of the event, which is presented by the Hawai'i Bicycling League, will take place Sunday morning, starting at Kapi'olani Park.

There will be about 3,800 bicyclists along for the ride, according to event director Chris Clark. The six distances range from 20 miles to 100 miles, and bicyclists will pedal through East Honolulu and the Windward Coast.

The Honolulu Century Ride is now the state's oldest and largest cycling event.

"It is something where everyone feeds off of each other and the beginners feel well supported," Clark said.

The event originated because HBL members wanted to promote a healthy lifestyle and show how bicyclists and motorists could share the road.

Bicyclists and motorists are supposed to follow the same rules of the road, but HBL executive director Kristi Schulenberg said bicyclists are often put in peril by motorists.

"People say they'll ride their bike more, but it isn't safe on the roads," she said.

There are many safety tips for bicyclists and Schulenberg expects them to be on display Sunday.

"We want to show what good bicycling can look like," she said. "We can serve as an example to motorists that a large number of cyclists can ride safely."

Bicyclists will be required to ride single file in the far right lane along their course. One lane along Kalaniana'ole Highway will be coned off for riders.

For the first time, 12 to 15 motor marshals (off-duty police officers on motorcycles) will "break up any temptation to form a pack," according to Clark.

Riding single file will be difficult after bicyclists stop at traffic lights.

FIRST RIDE

Frank Smith, the owner of Island Triathlon & Bike on Kapahulu Avenue, was one of the event's pioneers.

In the early 1980s, Smith said he wanted to have a one-week, ride around the Big Island event, similar to one being done in Iowa.

Smith, the HBL president at the time, wanted the media to cover the event, but was told there wasn't enough bicycling interest on the Big Island at the time.

He decided to hold a ride on O'ahu with a 100-mile course similar to the one Sunday.

Smith said he got support from late Honolulu Advertiser writer Bob Krauss.

"I knew Bob Krauss was a friend of cycling," Smith said. "One of the things he organized during the gas crisis in the mid-70s was the Kahala Express. I thought he would be the best guy to write on this thing."

The Kahala Express called for business employees to ride their bicycles to work. After Krauss' article came out, Smith said he was in "cycling heaven" when 1,500 riders showed up for the first Century Ride.

Smith said he has missed about three or four Century Rides. This year, he'll be at Kapi'olani Park early in the morning to help with pre-ride repairs. Later he said he's going to travel to the turn-around point of the 100-mile ride and help bicyclists with maintenance problems.

He added most bicycle stores will be sending volunteers to help those who run into problems along the course.

BICYCLING BENEFITS

The main benefit of bicycling is improved fitness.

Schulenberg said she lost 30 pounds in 10 months after commuting 20 miles to work in Washington, D.C., a few years ago.

She also said it took less time to get to work.

"Fewer cars means less traffic and more time to spend with your family or doing things you'd rather be doing," Schulenberg said.

More bicycles on the road also means less pollution, and those who ride can avoid high gas prices.

PEDAL TO MEDAL

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor, has brought bicycling into the media spotlight and made it cool, according to Schulenberg.

"I think he's brought visibility to the sport, the competitive and athletic aspect," she said. "He's a good spokesperson for the sport. He's brought in more riders than anyone else."

The Century Bike Ride will be laid back with no mountainous terrain or sprints to the finish.

"You're supposed to finish feeling spent, but not totally depleted," Clark said.

According to a survey by Outdoor Industry Foundation, bicycling was the most popular outdoor activity among Americans last year.

The eighth annual study discovered 85.8 million Americans participated in 3.1 billion bicycling outings. Also, the split was 58 percent males and 42 percent females.

TEACHING SAFETY

Smith said the Honolulu Century Ride quickly generated enough money for the HBL to hire staff members, and the Bike-Ed Program was started.

BikeEd, in its 18th year, educates fourth grade public school students about bike safety and tries to promote the activity. It is sponsored by the HBL and the City and County of Honolulu.

HBL's six-person staff splits into two groups and visits two schools per day, according to Schulenberg. They spend 45 minutes Monday through Friday at each school.

The staff members teach the rules and regulations of the road and how to maintain their bikes, among other things.

The students practice riding on or near campus. Those who don't know how to ride a bike can learn.

The HBL also has other programs. For more information, call 735-5756 or go to www.hbl.org.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.