Updated on: 2/26/2019
May is National Bike Month, and Seattleites are ready to get moving. Seattle is proud to be one of the country’s most bike-friendly cities, with over 158,000 residents biking for transportation or recreation. Most bike trips in Seattle are 5 miles or less, and cyclists report that they mostly use arterial streets with bike lanes. In 2014, census reports showed that 3.4 percent of workers in Seattle commuted by bicycle.
Still, the city has some improvements left to complete on bicycle safety. In a recent survey, safety concerns were the top reason why people with access to a working bicycle didn’t ride more often. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, Davis Law Group can help you understand your legal rights.
Schedule of Events
May 1st – Nay 31st: The entire month of May is National Bike Month. Campaigns sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and local cycling organizations will be running throughout the month. Organizers will encourage people to give biking a try, celebrate the benefits of biking for commuting and pleasure, and promote safety through awareness campaigns.
May 10th: This is National Walk and Bike to School Day. As the school year winds down, parents and children will celebrate by walking or biking to school. This day is marked by safety awareness campaigns and community organizing around increasing pedestrian safety near school zones.
May 14th: CycloFemme is a worldwide event celebrating female bikers. From the earliest days of bloomer-wearing rebels, bicycling has provided women with access to work, school, and social activities in their communities. This celebration will feature group rides in cities around the world.
May 15th – May 19th: This week is National Bike to Work Week. As the weather clears up from spring showers, cyclists are encouraged to leave their cars in the garage and try biking to work instead.
May 19th: This is Bike to Work Day, the conclusion of Bike to Work Week. Special events are planned in cities across the country to celebrate bike commuters on this day.
Events In and Around Seattle
Bike season is already underway in Seattle, but warmer weather and dryer skies will finally greet cyclists in May. These events in and around the city will be a delight for both casual and experienced bikers.
Friday, April 28th: Can’t wait for May to start celebrating bikes? Have some fun riding in the city with Seattle’s Critical Mass event. The route begins with a meetup at Westlake Center.
Monday, May 1st: Start off your month with free coffee and conversation at the Cowlitz County Bike Everywhere Month Kickoff event, hosted by Cowlitz County Health and Human Services.
Tuesday, May 2nd: Want to have a say on bicycle infrastructure improvements in the city? Drop by the SDOT Open House to let the Seattle Department of Transit know about your experiences with the 15th Ave S & S Columbian Way intersection.
Tuesday, May 2nd: Want to find a welcoming bike community? Stop by Women/Trans/Femme Night at The Bikery. This time is reserved for people who identify as women, trans, and femme to congregate and do bike maintenance in a safe and welcoming environment.
Wednesday, May 3rd: Ready to make your voice heard on bike safety issues? The Seattle Bicycle Advisory board advises the Mayor, City Council, and City Departments and Divisions in Seattle. You can attend their monthly Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board Meeting today.
Thursday, May 4th: Want to start bike commuting, but don’t know where to begin? Drop by Bike Commuting 101, a free seminar at Harborview Medical Center. You’ll learn everything you need to know about selecting and maintaining your bike and gear, biking in Seattle’s challenging weather and street grid, the rules of the road, and how to use mobile technology to plan your bike route.
Thursday, May 4th: Need some help fixing up your bike? Ready to donate your repair skills to someone else? Want to learn how to fix your own bike? The Bike Works Volunteer Repair Party will have drop-in hours today. No mechanic experience is necessary to attend.
Friday, May 5th: Want to support a local biking group? A $5 cover will get you into The Bikery Bash. There will be beer, great company, and a raffle of awesome prizes.
Sunday, May 7th: Gear up for Bike n’ Brews, a uniquely Seattle celebration of city riding and local microbrews. The route will take cyclists from Georgetown to Tukwila along the Duwamish and the Green River Trails.
Tuesday, May 9th: If urbanism is your passion, check out the Urbanist Monthly Meetup. Pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers will congregate at the Elephant & Castle for a discussion of Seattle’s urban past and future.
Friday, May 12th: Load up on coffee and carbs at Bikes and Bagels, a celebration of bike commuters. Food and drinks will be available from Eltana Bagels, Grand Central Bakery and Conduit Coffee. Volunteers from Velo Bike Shop or Mobile Bicycle Rescue will be available to give your bike a tune-up.
Saturday, May 13th: 500 mountain bike riders will be competing today in the Stottlemeyer 30/60 Mountain Bike Race. Want to get in on the action? Make sure to get registered soon, since spots are limited.
Tuesday, May 16th: Ready to combat bike theft? Join the Bike Theft Panel Discussion. Theft prevention experts will discuss the problem and help riders and bike shop owners fight back. There will be an hour-long serious of presentations, a moderated Q&A, and a continuing conversation over drinks.
Thursday, May 18th: If you’ve ever ridden on NE 65th Street, drop by the #Fix65th SDOT Open House to share your experiences and your suggestions for infrastructure improvements.
Sunday, May 21st: The American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure includes routes for inexperienced and veteran cyclists alike, with 100 mile, 70 mile, 40 mile, 25 mile and 10 mile routes to choose from. Walking routes are also available. The proceeds from this event will go towards diabetes research and prevention initiatives as well as programs to help people living with diabetes.
Sunday, May 28th: 10,000 people are estimated to turn out for the Emerald City Bike Ride on Memorial Day Weekend. A brand new route will give you the rare opportunity to bike on the SR 520 bridge, the I-5 Express Lanes, and the I-90 express lanes while they’re closed to vehicle traffic.
Monday, May 29th: Now that you’ve got a full month of cycling events under your belt, how about some hill climbing? The 7 Hills of Kirkland has three routes for cyclists who are ready to feel the burn.
Wednesday, May 31st: Close out your month with a Seattle Bike Commuting Tips & Tricks workshop at REI. A seasoned bike commuter will teach you how to deal with Seattle’s wet weather, steep hills, and confusing biking laws.