Swap vehicle trips for bike trips this May to reduce traffic congestion, spare air pollution and just have fun. Joining in on the annual regional event known as May is Bike Month, are volunteers, public agencies, businesses, and bicycling enthusiasts. The event, coordinated by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), encourages residents to cycle as many miles as possible in the month of May. Last year 1,987,030 miles were pedaled in the area, and this year’s goal is to break 2,000,000 miles.
Bike Month officially begins on Friday, May 1, with giveaways and goodies, organized rides throughout the area and a party at Hot Italian Restaurant at 4 pm. On Thursday, May 14, the region celebrates with a BikeFest at the State Capitol, featuring booths, music and great giveaways. To have your bike miles count towards the 2 Million Mile Challenge, register on MayisBikeMonth.com.
“Sacramento County is pleased to host a variety of bike activities in celebration of May is Bike Month, including our popular bike rides in the southeast and delta,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Phil Serna. “I’m planning to log some more miles on my bike again this year, riding to and from meetings downtown.”
The County Department of Transportation is again holding two special bike events open to the public at no charge. The Great Scott Road Event will be
Sunday, May 3, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., and the Delta event will be on Sunday, May 17, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., on Andrus Island Road and Isleton Road.
County Regional Parks is hosting a special energizer stations that will be set up by SACOG at locations on the American River Parkway during prime commuting hours. For information and riding rules, visit the
Regional Parks website.
At the downtown public parking garage at 725 7th Street, the County is offering free bike parking in the bike cages for the month of May. The usual $20 refundable fee for the access card will be waived for this event. There are plenty of racks and the cages are locked at all times but the cages are not monitored and the County does not claim responsibility or liability if bikes are damaged or stolen. To use the bike cages, drop off a completed
Bicycle Privilege Application form at the parking office located next to the public garage exit at the corner of 7th & H Streets.
A special ‘Get ready for May is Bike Month’ bike clinic event is planned for April 30, from noon to 1 p.m. The event will be held in the County Transportation Conference Room B, 4111 Branch Center Road and will be instructed by Elle Steele, a League Certified Instructor through the League of American Bicyclists. Her goal is to "help people feel more secure about getting on a bike, to create a mindset that bikes are treated as vehicles, and to ensure that people on bikes know how to ride safely and legally.”
Established in 1956, National Bike Month was created to showcase the benefits of bicycling. And, now, thousands of people join the activities by pledging miles at Mayisbikemonth.com. Ride your bike to work, school, or for recreation and log all the miles you ride. Get all the details at
Mayisbikemonth.com.