Get ready to pedal into Bike Month with these eight exciting ways to celebrate and support the biking community.
Here are 8 ways to celebrate bike month:
1. Discover new bike trails
Explore the diverse range of biking trails where you live, and make a list of new trails to bike this spring. Consider mountain biking in the Blue River Parkway Trails, strolling down the Trolley Track Trail, or visiting a nearby lake or stream trail.
Find new trails with your recreation department, or with apps such as the AllTrails app. Also, check out the MARC Regional Trails & Bikeways map. For natural surface trails in the Kansas City region, explore the Urban Trail Co’s trail list.
2. Rent an e-bike
E-bikes have quickly become a popular option for city and recreational biking. Tackle those Kansas City hills or extend your bike rides with an electric bike.
You can rent an e-bike to test the experience. RideKCBike now has electric-assist bikes in its bike share program in Kansas City, MO and North Kansas City.
Bikes can be located in the RideKCBike app, and rented for varying prices depending on how long you want to ride.
3. Visit your neighborhood bike shop
Find new gear to take your bike rides to the next level at your neighborhood bike shop. Find a bike bell that brings you joy, or a new helmet you’ll actually wear. There are many ways to improve your biking experience by upgrading your bike seat, clothing, or adding racks for storage.
The biking community is knowledgeable and passionate about sharing resources. Bike shops are a great place to ask questions, and to find out about new gear, trails, and community rides.
4. Gather friends for a bike adventure
Pick a date when the weather is nice, and invite your friends to ride together to a local brewery, or outdoor patio.
Or, join an existing community ride. There is a KC Family Bike Ride, hosted by Parents Advocating for Safe Streets, that hosts easy bike rides on the weekends. Cycling Kansas City also coordinates many local group rides.
Make biking a family tradition by riding to school or exploring a neighborhood nature trail.
5. Bike the kids to school
Enjoy the last weeks of school with a morning ride to school with your children. National Bike to School Day is May 8.
It’s a great activity for creating family memories, and a chance to teach them about bike safety.
Or, learn about the Safe Routes to School program in your community to plug into existing bike to school events, or create your own neighborhood bike bus.
6. Join a community event
Cycling events will be held all May long by local groups including community bike rides, bike repair events, and youth competitions. BikeWalkKC’s community calendar includes these events and more:
- May 4 – Free Bike Repair with WycO Bike-O(Kansas City, KS)
- May 4 – MO Riverfront Trail with KC Family Bike Ride (Parkville, MO)
- May 5 – Tour de Hope (Kansas City, MO)
- May 5 – Gillham Cycle Track with KC Family Bike Ride (Kansas City, MO)
- May 5 – Tour de Shawnee (Shawnee, KS)
- May 5 – BicycleSwap KC (Kansas City, MO)
- May 8 – Bike to School Day (National)
- May 9 – The Street Project Screening at North-East Library (Kansas City, MO)
- May 9 – Family Ride with Wyco Bike-O (Kansas City, KS)
- May 9 – 79th Street Corridor Plan Study Open House (Overland Park, KS)
- May 13-19 – Bike to Work Week (National)
- May 17 – Bike to Work Day (National)
- May 17 – WycO Bike-O Bike Disco at 3rd Friday Art Walk (Kansas City, KS)
- May 19 – Trolley Track Trail with KC Family Bike Ride (Kansas City, MO)
- May 20 – Craft & Ride at Merriam Plaza Library (Overland Park, KS)
- May 21 – Urban Hikes History Ride (KCK and KCMO)
- May 25 – Annual Rock Island Trail Bike Ride with Black Women Get Fit (Kansas City, MO)
- May 25 – Bikes Connect Us Community Ride (Kansas City, MO)
- May 30 – 77th St. and Metcalf Traffic Signal Project Open House (Overland Park)
Find more Bike Month events with BikeWalkKC and Mid-American Regional Council.
7. Bike for errands or to work
40% of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles, according to the League of American Bicyclists. Turn one of those local trips into a bike ride, such as a family trip to the farmers market, library, coffee shop, or drug store.
The local Way to Go program can help you plan your trips.
Or, switch up your regular work commute on Friday, May 17 for National Bike to Work Day.
8. Advocate for safer routes
Join the efforts to make biking more accessible, enjoyable, and safer in your community. Sign up for BikeWalkKC’s advocacy alerts to find out about local opportunities to share your biking experiences and priorities with city leaders. BikeWalkKC’s current efforts include: Close the Gaps Campaign to connect the growing network of trails, Protected Bike Lanes Campaign, and more.
BikeWalkKC can also connect you with grassroots efforts in your community, including the Safe Routes to Schools program.
More resources to get biking:
- BikeWalkKC has cycling videos, classes, an event calendar, and other resources to encourage a safe and positive biking experience for all
- Mid-America Regional Council will be sharing biking stories, a Bike Month event calendar, and maintains the Way to Go program that supports bike commuters
- Find national events and resources with The League of American Bicyclists