This is the tenth year that volunteers, public agencies, businesses and bicycling enthusiasts will partner together to promote bicycling for exercise and to spare air pollution, and have fun.
In Sacramento County, Bike Month begins on Thursday, May 1 with organized rides in various places throughout the area and end at Fremont Park in downtown Sacramento where bike month will officially kick off.
The County Department of Transportation is holding two bike events open to the public at no charge. The popular Scott Road Event will be Sunday, May 4, 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parts of Scott Road, White Rock Road and Placerville Road will be shut down for cyclists to enjoy the scenic foothills without continuous vehicle traffic.
On Sunday, May 18, the Andrus Island Bike and Walk Event is scheduled from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Andrus Island Road and Isleton Road. This event will give cyclists and pedestrians the opportunity to safely enjoy the beauty of Sacramento County’s delta system.
County Regional Parks is featuring a special parking program in May. Bike commuters are invited to park their cars at the American River Parkway at the Watt Avenue Access and ride their bikes into downtown. People who work in midtown, downtown or old town can enjoy a 10 to 12 mile ride.
The parking program will begin on Thursday, May 1, and conclude Friday, May 30. Staff will monitor the area and be on hand Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. The daily cost of parking is five dollars, or, you can purchase an annual parks pass (good for any Regional Parks facility) for $50. Passes can be purchased at several locations and online.
“This is an opportunity for people to try bike commuting for a month. Parks staff will be at the parking lot to provide information and help new bike commuters to get on their way,” said Jeff Leatherman, Director of Regional Parks. For complete information and riding rules at parks, visit www.sacparks.net.
At the downtown public parking garage at the 725 7th Street, the County is offering free bike parking in the bike cages for the entire month of May. There are plenty of racks and the cages are locked at all times; however there is no monitoring and the County does not claim responsibility or liability if bikes are damaged or stolen. To use the bike cages during Bike Month, fill out the Bicycle Privilege Application form and bring it to the Garage’s parking office (next to the exit booths).
On May 8, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), the regional Transportation Management Association and Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates are sponsoring the Capitol BikeFest at the state Capitol. The event will host music, prizes and booths and is designed to encourage biking instead of driving. With construction projects like Fix50 and rising gas prices, biking is a great way to avoid traffic, save money and help the environment.
Established in 1956, National Bike Month was created to showcase the benefits of bicycling. And, now, hundreds of people join the activities by pledging miles at Mayisbikemonth.com. Ride your bike to work, school, recreation and log all the miles you ride. There will be weekly prize drawings, challenges, rallies, and organized rides throughout the month. Get all the details at Mayisbikemonth.com.
