By Dave Iltis — Each year since 1956, America has celebrated May as Bike Month. What better month to ride? The weather is great, school is out or winding down, and the flowers are out! Established by the League of American Bicyclists, Bike Month is a time to celebrate the bicycle and what it means for fun, transportation, competition, health, and the environment.
A great way to participate is to take part in the National Bike Challenge (nationalbikechallenge.org) where riders keep track of their mileage and rides throughout the month. In Utah, with the recent purchase of Strava data for bike planning, consider using the Strava app to track your rides and get better data for the state.
In Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, W. Colorado, N. Arizona, Nevada there are tons of great events to participate in.
May 15-19 is Bike to Work week. May 9 is Bike to School Day. And, on May 14, Cyclofemme rides for women only take place throughout the world (cyclofemme.com).
Also, on May 17, the international Ride of Silence takes place in communities around the globe to honor cyclists killed or injured riding on the roads. (rideofsilence.org).
Take a some time to ride with others this month and celebrate May is Bike Month!
We present a calendar of regional events below:
May 1-31 — Provo Bike Challenge|, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Prizes and awards. Join the challenge and keep track of your riding all month (using the Strava app). Part of the National Bike Challenge!, Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], provomayor.com/2015/04/28/provo-bike-challenge/
May 1-29 — Monday Night Night Rides|, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Joaquin Park, 400 E 400 N, 9 pm every Monday in May, a casual ride through the streets of Provo, Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], bikeprovo.org
May 10 — National Bike to School Day|, Utah Bike Month, Everywhere, UT, A day to climb out of the motor vehicle and onto your bike on your way to school., None , [email protected], walkbiketoschool.org/ready/about-the-events/bike-to-school-day
May 13-20 — Boise Bike Week|, Bike Month, Boise, ID, A celebration of cycling in all of its forms, Boise Bike Week take place in the middle of National Bike Month and recognizes National Bike to Work Day on Friday May 19th. There is something for everyone: Mountain bike clinics, gravel rides, movies, women’s rides, Bike to Work Breakfast, Market rides and commuter seminars. It all culminates with a big block party on Saturday May 20 in downtown Boise. Come ride with us!, Lisa Brady, 208-761-8507, [email protected], boisebikeweek.org, biketreasurevalley.org
May 13 — Cyclofemme Ride|, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Women’s only ride. Join us for the 4th Annual CycloFemme ride. We are teaming up with the Provo Bicycle Collective and Provo City to make this ride a great. This will be a casual ride for all ages. The ride will start at Center Street and University Ave. at 2 pm at the Historic County Courthouse and will take a nice slow paced 5 mile ride around Downtown Provo ending at Joaquin Park., Heather Skabelund, 971-404-1557, [email protected], Jennifer Messenger, [email protected], cyclofemme.com
May 13 — Great Reno Bike Swap|, Bike Month, Reno Bike Week, Reno, NV, Buy or sell a bike and benefit the Kiwanis Club and the Nevada Colon Cancer Partnership., Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance , 775-323-4488, [email protected], bikewashoe.org
May 13 — Reno River Roll|, Bike Month, Reno Bike Week, Reno, NV, A seven mile family-friendly slow roll along the Truckee River. Costumes welcome, Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance , 775-323-4488, [email protected], bikewashoe.org
May 14 — Cyclofemme Reno|, Bike Month, Reno Bike Week, Reno, NV, Riders of any gender, join the casual six mile ride to celebrate all women, Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance , 775-323-4488, [email protected], bikewashoe.org
May 15-19 — Utah Bike Week and National Bike to Work Week|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Week-long festival with bike races, Bike to Work Day, and more., Dave Iltis, 801-328-2066, [email protected], cyclingwest.com/event-calendars/bicycling-events-swaps-and-festivals/
May 15-19 — Bike to Work and School Week|, Utah Bike Month, Logan, UT, Bike to Work & School Week offers free commuter breakfasts and raffles to win a new bicycle. Breakfasts, bike tunes, weeklong discounts at local businesses, custom gear, and a bike-in concert are all part of the fun, Dayton Crites, 435-755-1646, [email protected], trails.cachecounty.org, aggiebluebikes.org
May 15-19 — Bozeman Bike Week|, Bike Month, Bozeman, MT, Celebrate bike commuting with the Bozeman cycling community the week of May 16 – 20. There will be morning stops each day and an end of week party on Friday!, Alex Lussier, [email protected], Megan Lawson, 406-570-7475, [email protected], Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club , [email protected], gallatinvalleybicycleclub.org, gallatinvalleybicycleclub.org/community-events/bike-to-work-week/
May 15-19 — Reno Bike Week Commuter Challenge|, Bike Month, Reno Bike Week, Reno, NV, Commute by bike in Washoe County. Log your miles, Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance , 775-323-4488, [email protected], bikewashoe.org
May 17 — Ride of Silence|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Cyclists will take to the roads, escorted in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways, meet at 6:30 at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City. Ride leaves at 7 pm. Bike ride at 10 to 12 mph, mostly flat or minimum grade, about 11 miles., Tegan Feudale, 717-503-4275, [email protected], rideofsilence.org
May 17 — Ride of Silence|, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Join the Provo chapter of the Worldwide Ride of Silence on May 17th to ride to honor people who were killed or injured while biking this last year and last several years. We will begin at Dixon Middle School and go for a short, slow, silent ride with brief stops at the ghost bike memorials for Doug Crow and Mark Robinson, and return to Dixon Middle School where we will have light refreshments. Meet at 6:30. Dixon Middle School, 750 W 200 N. 7 pm., Lucy Ordaz, 801-787-4384, [email protected], rideofsilence.org, facebook.com/events/850656535006205/851159871622538/
May 17 — Ride of Silence|, Bike Month, Prescott, AZ, Ride to honor dead and injured cyclists and to honor Amber Harrington who was killed by a drunk driver in 2015. Organized by Greater Prescott Bicyclists Coalition, Eric Post, [email protected], rideofsilence.org
May 17 — Ride of Silence|, Bike Month, Las Vegas, NV, Ride to honor dead and injured cyclists. Register 6:00 until 6:50 in the parking lot of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada Building (RTCSN) at 600 South Grand Central Parkway south of the intersection of South Bonneville (Alta Drive) and South Grand Central Parkway. Ride starts at 7., Jim Litttle, 702-360-4751, [email protected], rideofsilence.org
May 17 — Ride of Silence|, Bike Month, Boise, ID, Ride to honor dead and injured cyclists. Camels Back Park at 6pm., Lisa Brady, 208-761-8507, [email protected], rideofsilence.org, biketreasurevalley.org
May 17 — Ride of Silence|, Bike Month, Heyburn, ID, Ride to honor dead and injured cyclists. The event gets underway at 7pm Mountain time and starts and finishes at the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce. There is usually police escort. For more information or in case of inclement weather call Rocks Cycling and Fitness 208-678-3764 for rescheduling details., Kim Walton, 208-678-3764, , rideofsilence.org
May 17 — Ride of Silence|, Bike Month, Carson City, NV, All cyclists are welcome to join us. What: Ride of Silence – An 8 mile slow ride (10-12 mph) around Carson City, ridden in complete silence as riders wear black arm bands. When: Wednesday, May 17th 7:00 pm (meetup at 6:30 pm to get signed in and listen to safety brief, ride starts rolling at 7:00 pm). Where: Telegraph Square (http://tinyurl.com/ktabfrv) Why: To honor those cyclists who have been killed or injured while sharing the road with motorists, Randy Gaa, [email protected], rideofsilence.org, musclepowered.org/bike-month-2017
May 18 — Bicycle Pit Stops|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, 7 a.m.-9 a.m. Morning commuter pit stops throughout Salt Lake City on popular bicycle routes. Snacks, safety info, bike maps. See facebook the week before for locations., Salt Lake City Transportation , 801-535-6630, [email protected], bikeslc.com, facebook.com/bikeslc
May 18 — Reno-Sparks Mayoral Challenge and Ride for Reading|, Bike Month, Reno Bike Week, Reno, NV, Volunteer riders will ride to Diedrichsen Elementary to meet with the students and pass out books, Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance , 775-323-4488, [email protected], bikewashoe.org
May 19 — Bike To Work, School, and Play Day|, Utah Bike Month, Park City, UT, Kickoff Celebration with Mayor & Council, 7:30 am, Meet at Olympic Plaza (next to Squatters), The group will bike to Park City Library. Bike support station available. Bike to Work, School & Play Celebration, 7:30 to 10:30 am, Park City Library, 1255 Park Avenue, Pet-friendly & family-friendly. Free raffles, snacks, bike tune-ups & e-bike demos. Bike to School with Park City Police, 7:30 amMeet at one of the following locations to bike to McPolin Elementary School with Park City Police Officers: PC MARC, Aspen Villas apartments, Arches Park at the end of Comstock , Heinrich Deters, 435-649-8710, 435-659-1188 , [email protected], Julia Collins, [email protected], mountaintrails.org, basinrecreation.org
May 19 — National Bike to Work Day|, Utah Bike Month, Everywhere, UT, A day to climb out of the motor vehicle and onto your bike on your way to work., None , [email protected], bikeleague.org
May 19 — Ogden Mayor’s Bike to Work Day|, Utah Bike Month, Ogden, UT, Ride to Work with the Mayor – We will meet the Mayor at the South end of the Dee Events Center Parking lot 1300E 4600S on his ride into work at 8am, the group will ride with the mayor to the Ogden amphitheater (343 25th st) for a breakfast hosted by Ogden City, Threshold Gives, UTA , and WOBAC. Can’t make it up to ride with the mayor? Then just pedal on down for breakfsat. See you there! Food served until 10am, Josh Jones, 801-629-8757, [email protected], ogdencity.com, facebook.com/events/1080722501970185
May 20 — SLUG Cat Bicycle Scavenger Hunt|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, This exciting event features a scavenger hunt bike race all that takes you all over Salt Lake City. Build a team of the coolest cats you know and win awesome prizes from our local sponsors! 5th Annual , Angela Brown, 801-487-9221, [email protected], John Ford, 801-487-9221, [email protected], slugmag.com
May 20 — Ogden Bike Swap|, Utah Bike Month, Ogden, UT, Ogden Bicycle Collective is hosting a Bike Swap12 pm – 6 pm, 936 28th St., Josh Jones, 801-629-8757, [email protected], Clint Watson, 801-997-0336, [email protected], bicyclecollective.org/ogden-news/item/570-ogden-bike-swap
May 20 — Provo Bike Picnic|, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, There’s no sweeter way to spend your Saturday afternoon than a bike picnic. Meet us at 4pm at Utah Lake State Park for a fun, causal bike ride. We will pedal on over to Lakeview Park to enjoy a homemade picnic. Be sure to pack your own food and blankets. Meet @ 4:00 pm, Ride starts at 4:30 pm Meet at Utah Lake State Park (4400 Center St, Provo) – Picnic @ Lakeview Park (2825 W 1390 N), Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], bikeprovo.org
May 21-26 — Flagstaff Bike to Work and School Week|, Bike Month, Flagstaff, AZ, Bike to work, record your commute, win prizes!, Joe Shannon, 928-523-1740, [email protected], Anthony Quintile, 928-779-5969, [email protected], Flagstaff Biking , [email protected], flagstaffbiking.org
May 23 — Salt Lake City Mayor’s Bike to Work Day|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, A mellow ride with Mayor Jackie Biskupski under police escort. Breakfast, music, and more at 7:30 am, beginning at the 900 South Pump Track at 905 S, 700 W. Bike ride begins at 8am and ends at the Salt Lake City and County Building., Tara Olson, 801-535-6167, [email protected], slcgov.com/biketoworkday
May 26 — Pedal Provo Ghost Tours|, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Friday the 13th Ghost Ride, sponsored by Provo Cycling Ghost Tours, Memorial Park (800 E Center Street) 9-11 pm, Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], bikeprovo.org
June 10 — Bike Prom|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Bike Prom, the Bicycle Collective’s annual fancy bike party. Gallivan Center, 293 Main St. Wear your prom outfits. Pre-prom ride: 6:00pm starting at Pioneer Park., Clint Watson, 801-328-2453, 801-400-3072, [email protected], bicyclecollective.org, bikeprom.com
