Friday, May 17, 2024

Stay Saddled Up for Bike Month 2024

By Hannah Weinberger

Few inventions have the staying power of the bicycle. The basic design hasn't changed much since it took on the shape we know and love more than 100 years ago. From improving our health to reducing our fuel use, bikes come with seemingly endless benefits – and they’re fun to use.

We are passionate about making bicycling more comfortable and accessible, and helping more people use bikes confidently. One of the ways we can do that is by improving cyclists’ safety for their entire trip. We do this with grant programs like Safe Routes to School, the Pedestrian/Bicyclist Program, the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program, our Statewide School-Based Bicycle Education Program and much more.

Five cyclists in colorful clothing ride facing away from the camera on a clear day. They are on a shared use path lined with gravel and goldenrod, and coniferous trees are visible just ahead of them.
Cyclists spinning among the wildflowers near Gardiner on the Olympic Discovery Trail,
May 2021. (Briana Weisgerber/WSDOT)

Gov. Jay Inslee officially designated May as Bike Month. People around the state are celebrating the humble bicycle by riding every chance they get. You can see a list below of some of this month’s events to celebrate our favorite two-wheeled vehicle. Many of us also ride all year and we’ve been reflecting on how we motivate ourselves. We want to keep commuting, exercising and riding just for the whimsy of it. We hope some of these tips inspire you to dig in on a long day in the saddle or even try commuting by bike for the first time. (We would love to see tips of your own in the comments!)

The head start I got by riding every single day during April for the 30 Days of Biking challenge gives me a boost into May for #BikeEverywhere. I enjoy tallying up rides taken for different reasons and to different destinations, like my ride May 2 to my hairdresser. Businesses participating in the Intercity Transit Bicycle Commuter Challenge in Thurston County are offering perks like treats for people who arrive by bike and that doesn't hurt either! – Barb Chamberlain, ATD Director

I like to look ahead at how I can replace different kinds of trips (commute, errands, recreation), or chain them together, with bicycling. And then there are the social opportunities of group rides or events as we celebrate the bicycle and cycling - so much fun and camaraderie that keep me coming back for more. – Chris Hawkins, Transportation Planning Specialist

I don't own a car – it's a choice I make because the mental and financial costs to driving aren't something I want in my life. But choosing biking over walking and busing sometimes happens because the bus schedule doesn't fit where I want to go, and sometimes proactively, reminding myself how much fun it is to zoom around and be outside. There are always small goofy joys seen while on a bike. – Ursula Sandstrom, Complete Streets Statewide Planner

How do I keep riding? I never stop. So, I am riding in January, Feb, March . . . riding is such a habit that even when I don't feel like it, I end up doing it anyway. And any lack of motivation disappears with the first pedal stroke! I don't add any requirements to ride more in May than in the prior months. I already ride enough, and if I can fit more rides in then I will do so (in May, or June, or any other month). – Brian Wood, State Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator

Whenever I don’t feel the oomph to saddle up for a commute, I think about all of the dogs I’ve pet, farm animals I’ve passed (even in Seattle – shoutout to the Burke-Gilman leashed goats), street art I’ve seen, and life-affirming interactions I’ve had by bike whenever I ride around Puget Sound. Keeping my mindset focused on the joy of discovery and time spent with friends reminds me that every ride comes with a hint of wonder, even if I’ve ridden a route dozens of times. -- Hannah Weinberger, Communication Lead

Here are a few major events happening in May that can help you get on your bike.

May 17: Bike to Work Day

Look forward to the workday by building riding into it!  Many Washington communities allow for bikes on trains, light rail or even buses, and the micromobility boom means some cities have rentable bikeshare for quick transit connections.

On the west side of the state, dozens of communities are hosting Celebration Stations to work into your commute as far north as Bellingham and south as Puyallup. On the east side, cyclists can ride with elected leaders and hit up ‘energizer stations’ for free treats.

Seattle

May 22: Bike Month Send Off

Seattle-based cyclists will find free food, bike accessories and even an on-site bike mechanic available at South Lake Union Park courtesy of Commute Seattle and the Seattle Department of Transportation.

Spokane

May 22: Kendall Yards Night Market and Neighborhood Bike Ride

Boost the local economy before a loop on the Centennial Trail and South Gorge Trail.

Tacoma

May 30: Fiddy Ride
Second Cycle is kicking off a summer of free group rides with a 50-miler exploring Tacoma.

Ellensburg

May 18: Family Ride

Gather for an accessible 5.38-mile family morning bike ride along the PTC Reconnection Trail.

And make sure to also check out offerings from Snohomish County, Sequim, and beyond, and let us know about Bike Month events that you’ve enjoyed!

On April 26th, 2024, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a document proclaiming the following:   WHEREAS, the bicycle is a healthy, convenient, affordable, enjoyable, and environmentally sound form of transportation and recreation; and   WHEREAS, throughout the month of May and beyond, Washingtonians will experience the joys and benefits of bicycling through educational programs, Bike Everywhere Challenges, Bike to School Day, trail workdays, races, and group events, or simply going for a ride; and   WHEREAS, consumers in Washington spend over $26.5 billion per year in the outdoor economy, supporting 264,000 jobs in every part of the state, including over $2.92 billion on bicycling activities, for equipment, apparel, lodging, services, and more; and   WHEREAS, bicycling serves as essential transportation for many who do not or cannot drive so they can access jobs, education, essential goods and services, transit, and recreation; and   WHEREAS, creating bicycling-friendly communities has been shown to improve health, well-being, and quality of life; grow local economies; improve traffic safety and mobility for all; reduce pollution, congestion, roadway wear and tear, and reliance on fossil fuels; support transportation independence for all ages and abilities; and provide families with healthy time together; and   WHEREAS, these partners and state agencies are promoting greater public awareness of bicycling to reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities; and   WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Transportation is working to improve connections for people on bikes as part of Washington's integrated, multimodal transportation system, while supporting programs that improve people's access to the skills and resources needed to ride comfortably; and   WHEREAS, Washington Bikes, Cascade Bicycle Club, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, the League of American Bicyclists, schools, cities and counties, parks and recreation departments, police departments, public health districts, health care providers, companies, and civic groups across Washington will be promoting bicycling during May 2024;   NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim  May 2024 as Bike Month in Washington, and I urge all people in our state to join me in this special observance.
Gov. Jay Inslee signed a ceremonial proclamation designation May 2024 as Bike Month.

1 comment:

FuminCuban said...

What is the latest on ebike rebates? Will they be implemented by the end of the year? Would love to see a blog post on this!

WSDOT comment policy

Post a Comment