By Curtis Clayton
May is a great month for a lot of reasons—from the arrival of spring to Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. One important reason May is so great is that May is National Bike Month. Each year Utah participates in the National Bike Month by requesting our Governor declare May as Utah Bike Month.
Here is the declaration of Utah Bike Month for 2012:
Whereas, bicycling has been a simple and efficient method of transportation since the 1860’s;
Whereas, the bicycle is the most efficient vehicle devised and produces zero pollution;
Whereas, you can park up to a dozen bicycles in the same space as one car to eliminate congestion;
Whereas, bicycling three hours per week can half your risk of heart disease and strokes;
Whereas, the cost of owning and operating a bicycle can be afforded by most;
Now, Therefore, I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, do hereby declare May 2012 as Utah Bicycling Month.
As part of Utah Bike Month every year a committee of volunteers from various bicycling organizations come together to plan all the fun events that will be part of Bike Month. The committee is open to any person and organization as long as they would like to increase the awareness and participation of the events. The committee is always looking for fresh faces to participate and bring new ideas into the month long celebration. If you feel inclined to become a part of Utah Bike Month planning for 2013 make sure you attend the monthly planning meetings for the committee. For more information on how to participate, visit www.utahbikemonth.com.
As for 2012 there are still many ways you can become part of the fun. From volunteering at one of the events, to riding and enjoying of all the hard work and planning, here are some great ways to support and be a part of Utah Bike Month. All of these activities can be found on www.utahbikemonth.com with more details.
Bike Month Events
May 5 — Downtown Alliance’s Live Green Festival|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, 9th Annual Sustainable Living Festival, 10 am to 6 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. , Kim Angeli, 801-333-1103, [email protected], downtownslc.org, livegreenslc.com
May 5 — Tour de Brewtah|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, 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, utahbikemonth.com
May 12-19 — Cycle Salt Lake Week|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Week-long festival with bike races, Bike Bonanza, Cycle Salt Lake Century Ride, Bike to Work Day, and more., Jon Smith, 801-596-8430, 801-322-5056, [email protected], utahbikemonth.com, cyclingwest.com/event-calendars/bicycling-events-swaps-and-festivals/
May 12 — Tweed Ride|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, 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, utahbikemonth.com
May 13 — Cyclofemme Ride|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Come ride Salt Lakes 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 end at Liberty Park., Christy Jensen, [email protected], utahbikemonth.com
May 15 — Salt Lake County and City Mayor’s Bike to Work Day|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, A mellow ride with Mayor Peter Corroon / Mayor Ralph Becker and other city mayors under police escort from Liberty Park to the County Complex and then the City & County Building. 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., Tyler Curtis, 801-535-7704, [email protected], bicycle.slco.org, utahbikemonth.com
May 15 — UTA Bike to Work Day in Provo City|, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, 7:30-9:00 a.m. Historic County Courthouse, west lawn, University Avenue/Center Street in Provo., Stacey Adamson, 801-227-8958, [email protected], utarideshare.com
May 16 — 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, 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], rideofsilence.org, utahbikemonth.com
May 17 — UTA Bike to Work Day in Orem City|, Utah Bike Month, Orem, UT, UTA Bike to Work Day in Orem City, time and place TBD., Stacey Adamson, 801-227-8958, [email protected], utarideshare.com
May 18 — UTA Bike Bonanza|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Free to public 2012 Bike Bonanza, 4pm-8pm at the Gallivan Center SLC. Entertainment, prizes, booths, and more. Bring family, bring friends!, Curtis Clayton, 801-287-2062, [email protected], utarideshare.com
May 18 — Bike Art Gallery Roll|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Lake City, Utah Bicycle Culture theme, Opening at Salt Lake City Bicycle Company, 6-9pm 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, utahbikemonth.com
May 18 — National Bike to Work Day|, Utah Bike Month, UT, 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], utahbikemonth.com
May 19 — Cycle Salt Lake Century Ride|, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Utah State Fair Park, 155 N 1000 W. Salt Lake to Antelope Island and back, 37, 67, or 100 mile options. Utah State Fair Park, 155 N. 1000 W., SLC. 7:30 AM Mass start time. Registration opens at 6:00 AM., Jon Smith, 801-596-8430, 801-322-5056, [email protected], cyclesaltlakecentury.com
May 20 — Pedal Driven – A Bikeumentary, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, PEDAL-DRIVEN expertly explores the long-standing conflicts between riders and the federal agencies charged with managing our public lands, as this exploding sport makes its way out of the woods and into the public eye., 7 pm at Brewvies Cinema Pub, 677 W, 200 S, Hillary Beck, 801-243-6517, [email protected], cutthroatracing.com/events/pedal-driven-showing-salt-lake-city, pedaldriven.org
