If you didn’t already know it, the month of May is National Bike Month. The League of American Bicyclists sponsors National Bike Month. According to the bicycle league’s official website, National Bike Month was established in 1956 “to showcase the many benefits of bicycling– and encourage more folks to giving [sic] biking a try.”
Many communities across the United States hold special events in the month of May to celebrate National Bike Month. For instance, the City of Raleigh, North Carolina held several events this month in recognition of National Bike Month. From a bike rodeo to Bike to School Day, Raleigh featured a long list of lively bike events for their citizens.
For further reading: City of Raleigh to Celebrate National Bike Month
Read Good Life Detroit’s post Snapshots Around Town: Slow Roll Detroit Opening Day 2017 – Detroit’s largest group bike ride held each Monday beginning in May!
For Michiganders, bicycling is a very popular activity. Bike enthusiasts across the state ride bikes to work, to get around town, and just for fun. I remember when I first moved to Michigan, I was so amazed at how many people rode bikes. The small Tennessee city where I’m from did not have a lot of people who rode their bikes around the city. Bicycling seemed to be more popular for the youth in Tennessee, but here in Michigan, just about everybody rides their bike!
National Bike Month Ends May 31, 2017
National Bike Month comes to an end on May 31st, but you still have time to celebrate National Bike Month! If you live in the Detroit area, I found a couple of bicycling events which are being held in Detroit over Memorial Day weekend.
If you are a bicyclist, you may find these bicycling events very interesting. Or maybe you don’t bike much, but going on a bike ride sounds like a delightful activity to do this weekend. Then check out these Detroit bicycling events!
Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop
Extended Techno Bicycle Tour | Friday at 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Belle Isle Bike Tour | Saturday, May 27th at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Music Heritage Bike Tour | Saturday, May 27th at 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Techno Bicycle Tour | Sunday, May 28th at 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information about each bike tour, click on the specific tour’s link.
Wheelhouse Detroit’s official website:
https://wheelhousedetroit.squarespace.com/belle-isle-tour
Dequindre Cut Bike Ride hosted by DNR Outdoor Adventure Center
Sunday, May 28th at 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information about the Dequindre Cut Bike Ride, check out their Facebook event page!
Other Ideas for Celebrating National Bike Month in Detroit
- Ride your bike throughout Eastern Market. Enjoy the city scenery and beautiful murals. Stop in Supino’s Pizza or grab a bite to eat at a food truck during the Saturday Market.
- Ride your bike in Downtown Detroit. Take in the historic city buildings. Brake (get it?) for lunch at American Coney Island or grab a sweet treat at Detroit Water Ice Factory.
- Ride your bike at a Metro Detroit metro park, such as Lake St. Clair Metropark, Huron-Clinton Metropark, or Stoney Creek Metropark. Bike the nature trails and enjoy the breath-taking lakes and nature scenery.
BONUS: Make it a photography bike ride! Bring your camera with you or use your cell phone to capture images of your bike ride.
Turn your bike ride into a bike photography ride by capturing your favorite sightings with your camera!
I love bicycling, but I don’t have a bike. What do I do?
Don’t own a bike? Visiting Detroit and left your bike at home? That’s okay! If you plan on bicycling in Detroit, there are businesses in Detroit which offer bike rentals. MoGo Detroit, the new Detroit bike share system, now features 43 stations in Detroit neighborhoods. You can rent a bike for the day for as little as $8. Wheelhouse Detroit also offers bike rentals.
Happy biking!
Do you enjoy bicycling in your community?
I miss riding a bike. I think this post just inspired me to rent one this weekend!
This is really cool to see a city putting emphasis on biking. Biking is great because it is a healthy form of exercise and doesn’t release emissions into the air as a mode of travel.
I never knew they had so many bicycle events and that there was even a bike month in Detroit. That is so cool! People her use bikes a lot ….well when we can since over half the year we have snow. It is so great when we can use them.
Hi, Carrie. The Bike Month is nation-wide. Just sharing a couple of bike events in Detroit for anyone who wants to celebrate National Bike Month. 🙂 Thank you!
I always forget that May is ‘bike month.’ More cities & states need to celebrate and hold activities to get everyone moving.
Anything that promotes being outside is always good with me This sounds like a great event
I think it’s awesome that there are so many biking activities in Detroit. I wish I had a bike that I could ride here. We have very few bike rental stations for public use. I love the idea of taking a photography bike ride!
Hi, Ramona. I love photography and I think bringing a camera along for a bike ride would be a very enriching experience. 🙂 I wish more cities and towns offered bike rental stations. Have a good weekend!
This is for sure a fun event, I wish I’m in Detroit, but yes, there are lots of cities participating in National Bike Month which is very helpful not only for the environment but for our fitness too. Thanks for the information, this is a big help for awareness.
Bike riding is such great exercise! It’s nice that they have a month to encourage that. I love seeing photos of so many people riding. It’s refreshing.
I’m the only one in my family without a bike right now. Tomorrow we are going shopping for one and I’m excited for family bike rides this summer!
Very cool, Lisa! I need to get a new bike myself. I hope you enjoy your new bike this weekend! 🙂
I always enjoyed riding a bike! It is great that there is a National Bike Month. We get to have some nice exercise and reduce pollution.
This is super cool, I had no idea that Detroit had a national bike weekend. What fun this would be to attend, I love seeing unique bikes too! Glad you are sharing this event so that others locally can enjoy this beautiful weekend!
Looks like fun! Our city does a good job with providing paths and sections of the street
As a keen cyclist I am delighted to hear there is a National Bike Month! We need one of those in the UK too I think 😀
I don’t even know if I can still ride a bike but I really need to get it together. There are always bike events around town.
I know how you feel, Kita. You should definitely see if there’s a place to rent bikes in your area. I bet you can still ride a bike. 🙂
Biking is something that I should do more of, especially since I live in a bikeable city. I’m looking for a great, comfortable bike with a basket. Because I like to be completely me, even in bike riding.
I hear ya! My husband and I are currently looking into getting new bikes and I really want a comfortable bike. Hope you are able to find the bike that you love!
Is nobody going to mention those adorable bees on the wall? How cute! 🙂
It is really cute. I love the mural art in Detroit. This one is by Pop Art Monkey. 🙂
I think exploring the city and checking out the market would be great. Biking sounds like a great way to get around and the rental options are convenient.
Thanks, Liz. I love that there are places to rent bikes, too. My teens are going to get a bike rental this weekend and ride around the city. 🙂
Looks fun! I wish I was in Detroit so that I can participate, thanks for sharing!
I love places that do events like this! Anything to promote well being and being OUTSIDE is a win in my book!
Oh how fun! I love biking and think this is a great idea for a month-long event. Biking is great transportation AND great exercise.
Oh how fun! I wonder if there is a lot of biking in my city. We have bikes but we rarely use them!
Wow, this is such a nice event. I wish I know how to ride a bicycle too. I love the pictures by the way.
Thank you, Anosa. 🙂
Tons of people prefer cycling than driving in Chicago too. I don’t know why they didn’t advertise this more. I’ll check to see if they have any events too.
I read on the internet that Chicago also has a Slow Roll Chicago similar to Detroit’s Slow Roll. I know bicycling is a very popular means of transportation in big cities. Hopefully, you’re able to find a bike event in your city. 🙂
In india we donot find activities like this, I wish I was there to attempt this, This must have been such a great experience. I think it is a great initiative from the citizens too.
What a fun event. I love bike riding.