May is Bike Month across the nation, and there are lots of events happening locally to help you get out on those wheels! Here’s a quick overview of a few of the highlights:

NCSU Commute Challenge

North Carolina State University is challenging faculty, staff, and students to use alternative transportation through May 31. The Commute Challenge is an opportunity to log your daily commute using Zimride’s Commute Calendar! The more trips you track, the more points you’ll earn, which will give you more entries into our prize drawing!

RaleighRacks Premiere: May 3

Celebrate the installation of 5 new artistic bike rack locations in Raleigh with a leisurely ride starting at 6 pm at 220 E. Martin St. in Moore Square in Raleigh.

Bike to School Day: May 8

Schools, plan a safe and fun event to bring awareness about biking to school and the health benefits. There are plenty of resources and tools about how to start small (or big), mapping a route, safety considerations and more. Remember that community partnerships help to make these types of events successful and memorable –involve local biking businesses, the police department and others.

Free Bike Inspections: May 15

On May 15  bike shops all around the Triangle will offer bike inspections all day long at no charge AND no appointment required (though you might have to wait when you arrive)! See the complete list of participating shops. 

Bike Day at the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market: May 15

As part of its first Wellness Wednesday of the new market season, the Raleigh Downtown Farmers’ Market is celebrating with bike-inspired activities.  Consider riding your bike to the market! The Wellness Wednesday series, sponsored by Rex Healthcare on the third Wednesday of each month, features wellness activities that include health screenings, free recipes and other nutritional information, tastings, chef demonstrations, and kids’ activities

Bike to Work Week: May 13-17  

WakeMed employees are joining in the national effort on Friday, May 17. Riders will meet at Crabtree Valley Mall at 7 am and ride 10 miles almost entirely on the City of Raleigh greenways. The ride will end at the Raleigh WakeMed Campus, and there are several options available for riders to return to their cars in the afternoon.

The City of Raleigh will hold eight events throughout the month for its large and growing bicycling community, and the City is committed to a bike-friendly environment. Among the events this week is Go the Extra Mile!, May 17 at 9 a.m. at Nash Square, 200 W. Hargett St. in Downtown Raleigh. The City will host a short bike ride to encourage City employees to celebrate National Bike to Work Day. Bike safety and maintenance materials will be available.

On Sat., May 18, Raleigh’s Signature Ride, kicks off at 9:30 am at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road. This event will include a 25-mile loop ride on portions of the City’s Capital Area Greenway System and local street connections. The ride will end around lunchtime. et details on all the Bike Raleigh events and  downnload Bike to Work Month poster here!

Bike Education & Awareness

As we celebrate Bike Month, it’s a good time to get educated about what’s happening locally in terms of making our communities more bike-friendly. For instance, what’s a sharrow, and what does it mean for both motorists and bicyclists on the road? Download this Sharrows flier from the City of Raleigh and the Sharing the Road rules. Learn more about Raleigh’s Bicycle Program and the Town of Cary’s bicycling program as part of its Comprehensive Transportation Plan. Other Wake municipalities have bike plans and information too:

    Fuquay-Varina
    Morrisville
    Wake Forest 

Bike Events in the Triangle

There’s a lot more happening throughout the Triangle this month to celebrate Bike Month! Visit GoTriangle for information about other bike events in our area.