Celebrate Bike Month this May in Charlottesville and Albemarle! There will be a full calendar of exciting events, gatherings and group rides organized by several of the groups that constitute the Piedmont Mobility Alliance — I haven’t seen anything like it around here for a long time. Something is happening almost every day of the month and there will be multiple options on most days.
Because it’s such a jam-packed month, it simply isn’t possible to provide detail about every event in a single email. See the Charlottesville Bike Month website for a full list; I have pulled out a few highlights here.
Bike BINGO Cards and Calendars
UVA Sustainability has created a handy two-sided resource to help keep track of next month’s happenings. A calendar lists most of the known events in the area on one side. The other is a fun BINGO game. Riders who complete at least five suggested tasks (and share their triumph in person or by social media) will receive bragging rights–and be announced at Fridays After Five (see below).
Downloadable Calendar / BINGO Card →
BONUS: Everyone who logs their miles becomes eligible to win an e-bike!
Fridays After Five
Every Friday in May (May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31), starting at 5:30 p.m.
Ting Pavilion on the Downtown MallEach Friday during Bike Month, there will be a free bike valet service and a hangout tent for cyclists at the Ting Pavilion for Fridays After Five. This is Charlottesville’s weekly, free concert and community celebration on the Downtown Mall. Volunteers from a variety of bike-friendly nonprofits will pour drinks; their groups will receive a share of the proceeds.
Kickoff Cruiser Ride
Friday, May 3, 5:30 p.m.
Meet at Endeavor Cycles (119 Maury Ave.)
Roll into Bike Month with a leisurely group ride to Fridays After Five at the Ting Pavilion. The pace will be easy and no one will be left behind. The ride will finish at the bike valet service at Ting Pavilion.
(Note that this is a one-way trip, so consider biking to the start, parking near the Pavillion if you drive or arranging with other riders to return to the start together.)
Family Bike Day
Sunday, May 5, 12 – 2 p.m.
Ix Art Park
Looking for a chance to let your little ones explore the joy of cycling in a safe and positive environment? Ax Art Park has a ton of fun activities lined up, including bike checks, a decoration station, balance bike course, spiral maze, and skills structures at the Family Bike Day.
Walk, Bike & Roll to School
National celebration: Wednesday, May 8;
Other local events throughout the month at various schools
Join thousands of people across the nation who will be biking to school on May 8. There will also be group rides and e-bike demonstrations at our local schools throughout the month. Check with your school or PTO about what might be happening at your school.
Backpack Flyer | Local Event Calendar | National Info
Bike to Work Day
Friday, May 17, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Bike to work–or wherever you go! If it’s on or near your route, we encourage you to stop by our Encouragement Station atin front of 601 West Main Street (in front of Shenanigans) for morning snacks, cool swag and perhaps a free tuneup.
E-Bike Demonstrations
Various dates, locations
Electric bicycles, which provide gentle power-assistance, are game-changers for commuting or everyday travel by bicycle. And they’re more accessible than you might think! The E-Bike Lending Library, UVA Facilities and other groups will be hosting informal events where you will be able to try out various types of e-bikes and hear about the experiences of everyday people who own them.
Your Help is Needed!
Calling Volunteers
As you can see, a lot is happening! This work is being done by a coalition of groups but is powered by volunteers. We need your help to make it all possible! Fill out our volunteer signup form to lend a hand.
Get the Word Out
Bike Month is truly a grassroots event and we need your help getting the word out.
Follow @BikeCville on Instagram and Facebook and share their posts. Use the hashtag #cvillebikemonth2024.
There are also three different flyers that you can help distribute:
Calendar + BINGO Card
School Backpack Flyer
Business Challenge
Feel free to consult the crowd-sourced list of public flyering locations.
Anything missing from the calendar?It’s not too late to get events added to the Bike Month website. Email contact@bikemonthcville.org to get your items added to the web calendar.
And Speaking of Community Groups…
Check out BPAC
The City of Charlottesville’s Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has a new listserv to support online conversation about walking, biking, infrastructure and active mobility in the city. Sign up if you’d like to join the conversation!
BPAC meets hybridly on the first Thursday of every month, including this Thursday (May 2). Everyone is welcome!
Charlottesville Bike / Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Thursday, May 2, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
City Hall (610 East Market Street, with remote option)