Bike Month(s)

“May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.”

– League of American Bicyclists web site

The League is to be commended for promoting Bike Month and encouraging events and activities across the nation and for offering their promotional materials.  The third week of May is generally the “Bike to Work” week.  “Bike to Work” day is reserved for the third Friday of the month and the Ride of Silence the third Wednesday of the month.  It may seem a little far out to start planning May events, but it is not too early to start talking about March.

Yes, March.  March is Florida Bike Month and is done in the same spirit of National Bike Month, which allows Florida cyclists to celebrate twice.  Why?  Simply put, because we can.

There is a proclamation waiting to be signed by the Governor for March Florida Bike Month and activities are currently being planned.  The Florida Bicycle Association will soon have on its web site a page for both March and May Bike Months, with links to various activities and events, but we need your help.  If you are planning or have an event planned, please let us know so we can include it on our web site listing.  Click here to submit!

In keeping with the national model, the third week of March will lend itself to a “Bike To Whatever” week and the third Friday a “Bike To Whatever” day.  It doesn’t have to be “work” where your bike takes you, just bike somewhere and make the “Whatever” your ride.  And quite honestly, events and activities are not restricted to the third week.  It is, after all, a Bike Month.

In honor of the Ride of Silence, Florida Bicycle Association is working with Florida’s Pedestrian & Bicycle Focused Initiative to create for the third Wednesday of March a Pause for People day.  This is not an event as it is moments throughout the day, moments in which to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, slow down for cyclists when passing or moments of quiet reflection for those we have lost.  There is discussion for memorial banners to be available at the FDOT district offices for anyone to sign during the month of March, with the intent to have all the signed banners displayed at the Florida Capitol during the month of May.  The banners are not available yet, but FBA will post details on our web site and Facebook page as soon as everything is confirmed.

The League of American Bicyclists offers a Getting Started guide for those looking to plan an event.  Remember, if you are planning or have an event planned, please let us know so we can include it on our web site listing.  Click here to submit!

Florida Bike Month – March / National Bike Month – May

 

Bicycle!

If you would like a copy of the proclamation to use as a template for your community, please email becky@floridabicycle.net