By Dave Iltis
May is Utah Bike Month! In 1956, Bike Month was created nationally. In Utah, in 2015, Governor Gary Herbert has declared May to be Bike Month.
May is a month of great weather and is great time to take part in any number of bike activities. This year, there are over 30 events in Utah so far. It’s a great month to celebrate the bicycle, and to celebrate on the bike. Grab a friend, especially one who doesn’t usually ride, and bring them to one of the many great events across the state!
The National Bike Challenge starts on May 1. Keep track of your miles and help create a movement. Sign up free at nationalbikechallenge.org.
May 6 is National Bike to School Day for kids, college students, and everyone else in academics!
On May 10, Cyclofemme rides, a set of low key rides for women only, will be taking place in several locations around the state including Salt Lake City and Provo.
May 11-15 is Bike to Work Week. Many communities around the state will have Bike to Work days too, some during this week, and some on other days during May.
National Bike to Work day is May 15. Replace casual Friday with bike Friday.
May 15 is also the date for the UTA Bike Bonanza. This long running celebration of the bike happens from 4-8 pm at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City. There will be booths and events for kids and adults.
Provo is also hosting a Bike Prom on May 15. Get your bike, your best suit and dress (that you would wear on a bike), and come on out.
On May 20, 2015, honor cyclists who have been hit, injured, or killed while riding. The Ride of Silence is a slow paced processional ride that will be held in Salt Lake City and Provo in the early evening.
On May 30, close out the month by attending Bike Prom, a prom on bikes! It’s a fundraiser for the Bicycle Collective, and a night filled with a bike ride, dancing, and a huge party.
Governor Herbert has declared May as Bike Month in Utah.
Declaration text:
Whereas, for about 150 years, bicycling has been a simple and efficient method of transportation and a fun recreational activity, as well as a beneficial physical exercise;
Whereas, as a mode of transportation, the bicycle is the most efficient, affordable vehicle created, producing no emissions and requiring minimum space for parking and storage;
Whereas, as a recreational activity or sport, bicycling can be enjoyed by both families and individuals, offering opportunities for the young and old to explore hundreds of miles of bike trails in urban and rustic settings throughout Utah, or to participate in bicycle racing;
Whereas, as a form of physical exercise, biking three hours per week can help people lose weight, increase strength and physical fitness, and improve cardiovascular health;
and Whereas the State of Utah applauds efforts to educate all Utah residents about the benefits of biking and encourages individuals and families to ride a bicycle as much as possible;
Now, therefore, I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, do hereby declare May 2015 as
UTAH BICYCLING MONTH
Bike Month Event Calendar:
May 2, 2015 — UTA Bike Day with the Mayor of Springville City, Utah Bike Month, Springville City, UT, 9:30 a.m. breakfast / 10:00 a.m. bike ride with the Mayor around town. Opening of the Splash Pad at the Springville Civic Center to follow the ride. Springville Civic Center – 110 South Main Street, Free food, bike swag, and bike safety checkups., Stacey Adamson, 801-227-8958, [email protected], utarideshare.com, rideuta.com
May 2, 2015 — Ogden Bike Swap, Utah Bike Month, Ogden, UT, Ogden Bicycle Collective is hosting a Bike Swap 8am – noon, 936 28th St.. Register items from 7 am to 8 am, Josh Jones, 801-629-8757, [email protected], bicyclecollective.org/locations-a-hours/ogden/item/424-2015-gear-swap
May 4-8, 2015 — Gear Up for Bike to Work Week, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Davey Davis, 801-328-2453, [email protected], bicyclecollective.org
May 4-30, 2015 — Provo Bike Challenge, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Prizes and awards. Join the challenge and keep track of your riding all month. Part of the National Bike Challenge!, Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], provomayor.com/2015/04/28/provo-bike-challenge/
May 6, 2015 — National Bike to School Day, Utah Bike Month, Everywhere, UT, A day to climb out of the motor vehicle and onto your bike on your way to school., None , [email protected], walkbiketoschool.org/ready/about-the-events/bike-to-school-day
May 8, 2015 — Ogden Mayor’s Bike to Work Day, Utah Bike Month, Ogden, UT, 8:00 a.m. at A1 parking lot near the Social Science bldg at WSU, Free pancake breakfast at City Hall, 2549 Washington Blvd. We will be riding from WSU to the river parkway and following thet river parkway to the frontrunner station before finishing at City Municipal building for a media event and breakfast. Passport event, Josh Jones, 801-629-8757, [email protected], utarideshare.com, ogdencity.com
May 8, 2015 — Salt Lake Bike Party, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Lake Bike Party is an all-ages, all-abilities group bicycle ride through Salt Lake City. We encourage safe and respectful riding behavior to foster a cooperative relationship with Salt Lake City motorists. 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. May’s theme is Bike to the Future. Start 7 pm at the Salt Lake City and County Building at 454 S. State (or 200 E.), Bike Party, [email protected], facebook.com/SLCBikeParty
May 9, 2015 — Orem City Roll with the Mayor UTA Bike Day, Utah Bike Month, Orem, UT, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Palisade Park (850 North Palisade Drive (1300 East) in Orem). 9:00 a.m. pancake breakfast / 9:45 a.m. bike ride with the Mayor around town. Free food, bike swag, and bike safety checkups., Stacey Adamson, 801-227-8958, [email protected], utarideshare.com, rideuta.com
May 9, 2015 — Weber Pathways Weed Day, Utah Bike Month, Eden, UT, Partnership with USFS, focused on eradicating invasive weeds including puncturevine. 9 am – 1 pm, 2150 N 5500 E, Eden, UT 84310, Rod Kramer, 801-393-2304, [email protected], weberpathways.org
May 9, 2015 — Kids Bike Ride, Utah Bike Month, Farmington, UT, Loyal Cycle Co. is putting on a kids ride at 1:30 pm at Loyal Cycle Co. 15 E. State St. in Farmington, Jeff Hepworth, 801-451-7560, [email protected], loyalcycleco.com, facebook.com/events/618427524925414/
May 10, 2015 — Cyclofemme Ride, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Join us for the Second Annual CycloFemme ride. We are teaming up with the Provo Bicycle Collective and Provo City to make this ride a great. This will be a casual ride for all ages. The ride will start at Center Street and University Ave. at 2 pm the City Buildings and will take a nice slow paced 5 mile ride around Downtown Provo ending at Joaquin Park., Heather Skabelund, 971-404-1557, [email protected], Jennifer Messenger, [email protected], cyclofemme.com
May 10, 2015 — Cyclofemme Ride – Performance Bike Shop, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, The most happening thing in Salt Lake City and in the rest of the world on May 10th is a beautiful idea and movement created by Girl Bike Love, Language Dept and League of American Bicyclists. Please come join us, Performance Bicycles of Salt Lake City as “We Ride Together” accompanied by you all during CycloFemme 2015. This is a “NO-DROP” meeting at our location, 291 W 2100 South, Salt Lake City, celebrating “Women on Bikes” and we hope to see you there! Make sure you check out the important info below! – Free Bike Checks 9:30 AM – Safety Brief 9:45 AM (Must be present!) – Ride starts at 10:AM – Helmets are required – Those under 13 must be accompanies by an Adult – Please bring a spare tube, if you don’t have one we stock most tubes but please call first. – Have Fun!, Performance , (801) 478-0836, [email protected], cyclofemme.com
May 11-15, 2015 — Utah Bike Week, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Week-long festival with bike races, Bike Bonanza, Bike to Work Day, and more., Dave Iltis, 801-328-2066, [email protected], cyclingwest.com/event-calendars/bicycling-events-swaps-and-festivals/
May 11-16, 2015 — Bike to Work and School Week, Utah Bike Month, Logan, UT, Encouraging cycling with information booths at the CVTD Transit Center and USU. Refreshments, tune-ups and educational materials. Everyday throughout the week from 7:30 – 9:30 am., Stephanie Tomlin, 435-797-8139, [email protected], aggiebluebikes.org
May 11, 2015 — Bicycle Rodeo, Utah Bike Month, Riverdale , UT, 6:00pm at Riverdale Elementary School as part of the city’s Live Fit Program. Registration is free for Riverdale residents, their friends, and families., Micheal Staten, 801-589-2686, [email protected], riverdalecity.com/departments/recreation/Bike/Bike_Week.html
May 11-15, 2015 — Utah Bike to Work Week, Utah Bike Month, All, UT, State employees across Utah are being encouraged to use their bikes to get to work this week. This could include using their bikes in conjunction with public transportation as a means of reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips. This effort is a way to raise awareness about active transportation options available to commuters., Evelyn Tuddenham, 801-964-4564, [email protected], udot.utah.gov
May 11, 2015 — Moab Bike Swap, Utah Bike Month, Moab, UT, 4-6 pm at the Moab Bike Park, 500 W. and Williams Way., Don Wiseman, 800-845-2453, 435-259-8732, [email protected], westernspirit.com
May 12, 2015 — Salt Lake County and City Mayor’s Bike to Work Day, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, A mellow ride with Mayor Ben McAdams, Mayor Ralph Becker and Mayor Cherie Wood under police escort, 7:45 am., beginning at Sugar House Draw by 1300 E.,, Melissa Carroll, 801-535-6142, [email protected], George Deneris, 385-468-6625, [email protected], slcgov.com/biketoworkday, bikeslc.org
May 12, 2015 — UTA Bike to Work Day in Provo City, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, 7:30-9:00 a.m. at the Historic County Courthouse (west lawn) off of University Avenue/Center Street in Provo, Utah. Free food, bike swag, and bike safety checkups. Police Escorted Bike Ride with Mayor Curtis begins at 8:00 a.m. sharp and is approx. 3 miles long around town., Stacey Adamson, 801-227-8958, [email protected], utarideshare.com, rideuta.com
May 13, 2015 — Bike In Movie, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Provo Bicycle Collective, 8 pm, Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], bikeprovo.org
May 14, 2015 — Bicycle Pit Stops, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, 7 a.m.-9 a.m. Various pit stop locations throughout Salt Lake City, including the University of Utah on popular bicycle commuting routes. Snacks, safety information, and bike maps will be provided., Alexis Verson, 801-535-6630, [email protected], bikeslc.com
May 14, 2015 — Sherlock Ride, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, County Building, Center and University, 7:30 pm, Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], bikeprovo.org
May 14, 2015 — Monday Night Night Ride, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Joaquin Park, 400 E 400 N, Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], bikeprovo.org
May 15, 2015 — UTA Bike Bonanza, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Free to public Bike Bonanza, 4pm-8pm at the Gallivan Center SLC. Entertainment, prizes, booths, and more. Bring family, bring friends!, Jan Maynard, 801-287-2065, [email protected], Cheryl Anderson, 801-287-2062, [email protected], utarideshare.com
May 15, 2015 — National Bike to Work Day, Utah Bike Month, Everywhere, UT, A day to climb out of the motor vehicle and onto your bike on your way to work., None , [email protected],
May 15, 2015 — Provo Bike Prom, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Slow, pre-prom bike ride en masse through Provo (40 minute, leisurely ride). All ages are invited to participate in the ride. Following the promenade, join us for the dance at the Provo Recreation Center. Enjoy mocktails, hors d’oeuvres, the photo booth, and DJ. Prom attired is optional, but encouraged for both the ride and the dance. Ride at 6, Prom at 8., Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], provo.org/community/events-in-provo/bike-prom
May 16, 2015 — Complete the Street, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, Bike Boulevard opening 200 E. and 800 N. 5 pm., Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], bikeprovo.org
May 20, 2015 — 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., Tegan Feudale, 717-503-4275, [email protected], rideofsilence.org
May 20, 2015 — Ride of Silence, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, 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. (New Location) Dixon Middle School in Provo (750 W 200 N) on at 7 pm. The ride will also be the Douglas Crow Memorial Ride. Join the Provo chapter of the Worldwide Ride of Silence on May 20th to ride to the brand new Ghost Bike Memorial for Douglas Crow, who was struck and killed by an SUV on February 15th, 2013. (http://www.gofundme.com/douglascrow), Lucy Ordaz, 801-787-4384, [email protected], rideofsilence.org, facebook.com/events/850656535006205/851159871622538/
May 23, 2015 — SLUG Cat, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Alleycat race. Registration from 4-5. Event from 5-7 pm., Angela Brown, 801-487-9221, [email protected], Carl Acheson, 801-487-9221, [email protected], slugmag.com
May 23, 2015 — Ogden Bike Park Phase 2 Grand Opening, Utah Bike Month, Ogden, UT, Saturday 11am at the top of 9th St. Come on and ride 4 new trails and 2 new pump tracks at the Ogden Bike Park., Josh Jones, 801-629-8757, [email protected], ogdencity.com
May 23, 2015 — Ogden UTA Bike Event, Utah Bike Month, Ogden, UT, A commuter- centric event where folks can tour the bike related amenities of the UTA station. Try putting their bikes on buses in a low stress learning environment. Learn how bikes work best with Frontrunner and about the bike repair stands and bike lockers available at the station. There will also be a group ride leaving the event on the new intermodal hub trail connector and onto the river parkway. Ogden FrontRunner station., Josh Jones, 801-629-8757, [email protected], ogdencity.com
May 23, 2015 — Provelo Bike Picnic, Utah Bike Month, Provo, UT, TBA, Aaron Skabelund, 385-207-6879, [email protected], bikeprovo.org
May 28-30, 2015 — Road Respect Southern Utah Tour, Road Respect Bike Tour, Utah Bike Month, Southern, UT, The Road Respect Bike Tour is a series of organized rides (free to public) focused on roadway safety and respect between cars and bikes. Ride details with routes on the website provided. 5/28: Garfield County-Panguitch, evening event 5/28 Washington County-Santa Clara, 5/29: Washington County-Hurricane and Washington City, 5/30: Kane County-Kanab, Keri Gibson, 801-243-7571, [email protected], roadrespectutah.org
May 29, 2015 — Bike To Work Day, Utah Bike Month, Park City, UT, Heinrich Deters, 435-649-8710, 435-659-1188 , [email protected], Dawn Bowling, 435-649-6839, [email protected], mountaintrails.org, basinrecreation.com
May 30, 2015 — Tour de Brewtah, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, A tour highlighting Salt Lake’s great bicycle infrastructure, engaged community, and craft beers, Tim Stempel, 602-463-1547, [email protected], Cynthia Stringham, 801-535-6167, [email protected], tourdebrewtah.org
May 30, 2015 — Bike Prom, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Bike Prom, the Bicycle Collective’s annual fancy shindig. Pierpont Place, 163 W. Pierpont Ave. Wear your prom outfits. Pre-prom ride: Liberty Park (Northeast corner) 6:00pm, Syhalla Bales, 801-815-5508, [email protected], Jace Burbidge, 801-328-2453, [email protected], David Davis, 801-328-2453, [email protected], bicyclecollective.org, bikeprom.com
May 30, 2015 — Get Into the River, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, Come learn about the animals and habitats supported by the river and how communities and individuals are enjoying it each and every day. There will be educational and recreational demonstrations during the festivities. Bring your bikes, your strollers, and your walking shoes and experience the Jordan River Parkway!, Laura Hanson, 801-536-4158, [email protected], Jen Parsons-Soran, 801-502-6794, [email protected], getintotheriver.org
May 31, 2015 — OpenStreets Salt Lake City, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, UT, 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 900 South between 600 East and 200 West. Coincides with the Tour De Brewtah., Melissa Carroll, 801-535-6142, [email protected], bikeslc.com, slcgov.com/openstreets
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