By Jared Eborn
The banners are up, the chains are lubed and tires inflated.
Bike Month, a month-long celebration of pedal-powered transportation is upon us and Salt Lake City and the state of Utah have made numerous plans to celebrate the magnificent invention.
With bike-to-school days, open roads events and the ever-popular Bike Bonanza at Salt Lake’s Gallivan Plaza, Utah has no shortage of events or parties during May.The month got a bit of an early start with the annual Utah Bike Summit on April 26 where discussions and presentations were made to help promote cycling in the state and foster an environment of active development of cycling as a key component of Utah’s future.
May 7 is Bike To Work Day in Salt Lake City. Mayor Ralph Becker will lead a procession of bike-commuters in the state’s capitol city. The rest of the Utah and the U.S. will be celebrating Bike Week from May 13-18. Bike to Work days are featured throughout the state. The Bike Bonanza and the Cycle Salt Lake Century cap the week on May 17 and 18th respectively.
The fifth annual Bicycle Art Gallery Roll on May 17 will also be back as Salt Lake City Bicycle Company leads a celebration of bicycle-related art throughout the city.
Century rides, from the annual Cycle Salt Lake Century on May 18 to the Ghost Ride Century on May 11 and a less rigorous Ride of Silence on May 15 will get people moving throughout the region.
Cyclists in Moab can also get in on the action with the May 18 Moonshadows Ride, a supported night-time ride along scenic Highway 313. For more from Moab, see www.cyclingwest.com/news/moab-community-bike-news-for-spring-2013/
A thirst-quenching Tour de Brewtah rolls out on May 4th as cyclists ride from one microbrewery to another to sample various adult beverages and snacks along the route.
On May 25th, head on up to the Cache Valley Bike Festival.
Check out the following list of activities in the state as you explore ways to celebrate National Bike Month.
For the full calendar, see also: www.cyclingwest.com/event-calendars/utah-bike-month/
2013 Utah Bike Month Calendar
April 26 — Utah Bike Summit – Keep Utah Rolling!, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, The Fifth Annual Utah Bike Summit brings together bicycle and trail advocates, representatives from our bike industries, cycling event promoters, city planners, representatives from Utah’s tourism industry, local and state government officials with one common goal, to promote biking in Utah., Scott Lyttle, 435-901-4191, [email protected], Tara McKee, 801-870-8504, [email protected], utahbikesummit.com, bikeutah.org
May 4 — Live Green Festival, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, 10th Annual, Sustainable Living Festival, 11 am to 5 pm at Library Plaza, 210 E. 400 South, Downtown Salt Lake City. 100+ exhibitors, live auction, solar-powered beer garden, live music organic food, kids’ eco-activities, film presentation, eco-fashion show and more. , Mike Johnson, 801-994-1844, [email protected], downtownslc.org, livegreenslc.com
May 4 — Tour de Brewtah, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, A tour of the local micro-breweries in the valley to support local non-profit agencies., Tim Stempel, 602-463-1547, [email protected], tourdebrewtah.org
May 4 — OpenStreets Salt Lake City – Ci.SLC.lovia, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Designed to engage new people in bicycling and physical activity. The event will temporarily open a route of city streets exclusively to walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation. Includes activities such as exercise classes, dance classes, music, food, games and other attractions along the iconic downtown corridor of 300 South/Broadway between the City & County Building and the Rio Grande Depot. Coincides with the LiveGreen Festival, happening at the east end of the route., Colin Quinn-Hurst, 801-535-6630, [email protected], bikeslc.com
May 7 — Salt Lake County and City Mayor’s Bike to Work Day, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, A mellow ride with Mayor Ben McAdams / Mayor Ralph Becker and other city mayors under police escort from Liberty Park to the County Complex and then to the City & County Building in downtown Salt Lake City. Liberty Park (700 E 900 S, northeast corner) to the Salt Lake County Government Center (2100 S State St) then continuing to the City & County Building (451 S State St), 7:30 am. , Colin Quinn-Hurst, 801-535-6134, [email protected], Cynthia Stringham, 801-535-6167, [email protected], bicycle.slco.org, slcgov.com/biketoworkday
May 8 — National Bike to School Day, Utah Bike Month, Everywhere, Utah, A day to climb out of the motor vehicle and onto your bike on your way to school., Curtis Clayton, 801-287-2062, [email protected],
May 10 — Salt Lake Bike Party, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, 6 pm, Salt Lake City and County Building – East Side Pullout, Salt Lake Bike Party is an opportunity for all types of bicyclists to ride throughout the Salt Lake area in a safe, fun environment that encourages more widespread engagement in bicycling. We want: To ride safely and follow all traffic rules; To build a strong community of bicyclists; To foster mutual respect between bicyclists and motorists; To have fun – Smile, wave, laugh, meet new people, bring some music along., facebook.com/events/136854259831057/
May 11 — The Ghost Ride, Utah Bike Month, Tooele, Utah, The Ghost Ride is a 100 or 62 mile cycling tour of Utah’s Tooele Valley. Honoring the cyclists who are no longer with us, we begin with a short ride of silence and then enjoy a ride of celebration as we visit small towns, scenic vistas and rolling hills in Utah’s west desert terrain., Jared Eborn, 801-599-9268, [email protected], theghostride.com, Online Registration
May 12-19 — Utah Bike Week, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Week-long festival with bike races, Bike Bonanza, Cycle Salt Lake Century Ride, Bike to Work Day, and more., Jon Smith, 801-596-8430, [email protected], cyclingwest.com/event-calendars/bicycling-events-swaps-and-festivals/
May 12 — Cyclofemme Ride, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Come ride Salt Lake’s finest bike lanes and bike paths with women of all ages and abilities. Never ridden on the streets of Salt Lake? Let this be your introduction to riding in the city. Bring the kids, bring your mom, bring a lunch, but most important, bring your bike. The ride will be approximately ten miles and will start and end at Liberty Park. Salt Lake Bike Maps will be available at the ride. Start 1 pm at the NW corner of Liberty Park. Look for the Spoke Stoke banner., Carly Clifton, 419-605-6060, [email protected], facebook.com/spokestoke
May 12 — Cyclofemme Ride, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Non-competitive fun ride to celebrate bicycles, women, and the men who support women! This ride will be along Legacy Trail Parkway, the total ride is approximately 23 miles, out and back. Start at the “Center Street” trailhead (approximately 1130 West Center Street, North Salt Lake). We will have CycloFemme 2013 temporary tattoos for the first 20 participants. Everyone is welcome.
Bring: you, loved ones/friends/family, your bike, helmet, hydration/nutrition and a great attitude! , Sara Howard, [email protected], cyclofemme.com
May 13-18 — Bike to Work and School Week, Utah Bike Month, Logan, Utah, Encouraging cycling with information booths at the CVTD Transit Center and USU. Refreshments, tuneups and educational materials. Everyday from 7:30 – 9:30 am., Stephanie Tomlin, 435-797-8139, [email protected], aggiebluebikes.org
May 14 — UTA Bike to Work Day in Provo City, Utah Bike Month, Provo, Utah, 7:30-9:00 a.m. at the Historic County Courthouse (west lawn) off of University Avenue/Center Street in Provo, Utah. Free food and bike swag, Free bike tune-ups, Free bicycle helmets for the first 50 participants, fun ride with Mayor Curtis (begins 8 a.m. sharp), Stacey Adamson, 801-227-8958, [email protected], utarideshare.com, rideuta.com
May 15 — Ride of Silence, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, 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, 7 pm, Gallivan Center. Bike ride at 10 to 12 mph, mostly flat or minimum grade, about 11 miles., Laila Bremner, 801-654-0323, [email protected], Tegan Feudale, 717-503-4275, [email protected], rideofsilence.org
May 15 — Cycle Salt Lake Century Ride Packet Stuffing, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, We will be stuffing the rider packets at the Gallivan Center Stage at 5:00 p.m. FREE Pizza from Papa John’s after stuffing. , Jon Smith, 801-596-8430, [email protected], cyclesaltlakecentury.com
May 15 — Ride of Silence, Utah Bike Month, Provo, Utah, 7 pm, 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. 150 S. University Ave., Blu Robinson, 801-319-7218, 801-426-8800, [email protected], rideofsilence.org
May 15 — UTA Bike To Work Day with the Mayor in Springville City, Utah Bike Month, Springville City, Utah, Springville Civic Center at 110 South Main Street. Free breakfast (starting at 7:30 a.m.), Free bike swag, Free bike-tune-ups, Free bicycle helmets for the first 50 participants, fun ride with Mayor Clyde (begins 8:00 a.m. sharp). , Stacey Adamson, 801-227-8958, [email protected], utarideshare.com, rideuta.com
May 16 — UTA Bike to Work Day in Orem City, Utah Bike Month, Orem, Utah, 7:30-9:00 a.m. at City Center Park (North Pavilion) at 100 North 300 East in Orem, Utah. Free pancake breakfast (starting at 7:30 a.m.), Free bike swag, Free bike tune-ups, Free bicycle helmets for the first 50 participants, fun ride with Mayor Evans (begins 8:15 a.m. sharp), Stacey Adamson, 801-227-8958, [email protected], utarideshare.com, rideuta.com
May 17 — UTA Bike Bonanza, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Free to public 2012 Bike Bonanza, 4pm-8pm at the Gallivan Center SLC. Entertainment, prizes, booths, and more. Bring family, bring friends!, Jan Maynard, 801-287-2062, [email protected], utarideshare.com, rideuta.com
May 17 — Bike Art Gallery Roll, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah Bicycle Culture theme, Opening at Salt Lake City Bicycle Company, 6-9 pm in conjunction with SLC Gallery Stroll, 177 E. 200 S., Gallery Roll to other downtown galleries., Brent Hulme, 801-746-8366, [email protected], galleryroll.com
May 17 — National Bike to Work Day, Utah Bike Month, Everywhere, Utah, A day to climb out of the motor vehicle and onto your bike on your way to work., Curtis Clayton, 801-287-2062, [email protected],
May 17 — Ogden Mayor’s Bike to Work Day, Utah Bike Month, Ogden, Utah, 7:30 a.m. at A1 parking lot near the Social Science bldg at WSU, Free pancake breakfast at City Hall, 2549 Washington Blvd., Josh Jones, 801-629-8757, [email protected], utarideshare.com, ogdencity.com
May 17 — Bicycle Pit Stops, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Intersections of 800 South/600 East and 200 South/200 West Snacks, beverages, safety information, bike maps, for biking in Salt Lake City. , Colin Quinn-Hurst, 801-535-6134, [email protected], bikeslc.com
May 18 — Cycle Salt Lake Century Ride, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Gallivan Center on Gallivan Ave. 250 S. State St. SLC, Ut. Salt Lake to Antelope Island and back, 37, 67, or 100 mile options. Gallivan Center on Gallivan Ave. 7:30 AM Mass start time. Registration opens at 6:00 AM., Jon Smith, 801-596-8430, [email protected], cyclesaltlakecentury.com, Online Registration
May 18 — SLUG Cat, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Alley Cat! $5 Registration: 2pm behind Fresh (870 E. 900 S.), Race Time: 3pm, Awards/After Party: 5:30pm at Este Pizza (156 E. 200 S.), Esther Merono, [email protected], slugmag.com
May 18 — Moab Bike Prom, Utah Bike Month, Moab, Utah, A celebration of biking. Moab Spring Ranch. Promenade starts at 3 at HMK Bus Circle., Moab Museum , 435-259-7985, [email protected], moabmusem.org
May 25 — Cache Valley Bike Festival, Utah Bike Month, Logan, Utah, Annual event at Merlin Olsen Park, promoting bike education, healthy living, and sustainability through bicycles. An event for the whole family, there is a workshop for everyone., Wayne Wheeler, (435) 753-7175, [email protected], joyridebikes.com, aggiebluebikes.org
May 25 — Tweed Ride, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Come prepared to mozie around the city on your finest velocipede, while dressed in your best early 1900’s threads. Congregate at Library Square at 6pm and enjoy a scenic ride around Salt Lake City., Christy Jensen, [email protected], saltcycle.com
May 30 — Bike To Work Day, TENTATIVE, Utah Bike Month, Park City, Utah, Heinrich Deters, 435-649-8710, 435-659-1188 , [email protected], Dawn Bowling, 435-649-6839, [email protected], mountaintrails.org, basinrecreation.com
June 1 — Bike Prom, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Pierpont Place, 163 W Pierpont Ave, Wear your prom outfits. Pre-prom ride: Liberty Park 6:00 pm., Jonathan Morrison, 801-FAT-BIKE, [email protected], Syhalla Bales, 801-815-5508, [email protected], bicyclecollective.org, bikeprom.com
