About 70 people took part in the first Build a Better Belmont Coalition bike run which started at Charlie Staples Barbecue in Youngstown, and continued to the Giant Eagle Plaza in Liberty.
 
"We're stopping at 12 stops along the way. A lot of the merchants are like Walmart, and Handles, and Rite Aid on Belmont and Knafa, Kravitz and HD Davis," said Jack Kravitz.
 
 YO GO which will be introducing the first-ever bike share in Youngstown pitched in to help by donating the use of 7 electric bikes for riders to try out.
 
"We want to actively promote active transportation, and bike riding to bring more visibility to cyclists around the city and help build infrastructure so riders can feel safe,"
President of Yo Go, Ronnell Elkins said.
 
The goal of the bike run during National Bike Month is for the riders to assess the current conditions of the corridor by completing a brief survey of questions at each stop.
 
 Along the bike path riders had the opportunity to taste samples of food like at Knafa's Middle Eastern Grille and Bakery. The owners provided drinks and food for people in the bike run.
 
The Building a Better Belmont Coalition will use the information gathered at the stops on this bike run to make plans for improvements.
Liberty Township and Youngstown have also been working to reduce parking lots and build in green space.
 
"There are city dollars at this point that we put into Valley Partners to do some business loans, as well as facade upgrades," Youngstown Councilwoman Samantha Turner said.
 
 "We're looking at a number of funding programs to fix facades, to fix parking lots, poles that are out of place, signs, better signage," Liberty Township Trustee Arnie Clebone said.
 
Although the wheels or progress can turn slowly, this bike run also highlights the progress that's on the horizon.
 
"There is progress taking place. We're building a new rehab center where the old K-Mart used to be. That's one big abandoned lot, that's now getting new life," added Kravitz.