May is National Bike Month sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, and communities across San Diego, including Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, are seizing the opportunity to promote the pastime.
The special month includes Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 18, when thousands of San Diego commuters will be cycling to and from their places of employment.
The month-long event is being observed by bike-centric businesses, community leaders and healthy lifestyle activists alike. Pacific and Mission beaches are known for their bike-friendly streets, paths, people and places. Longtime Pacific Beach community planner Chris Olson is all in on the bike riding concept.
“Bicycle riding offers a healthy and exhilarating way to get where you’re going,” said Olson. “Electric bikes provide the opportunity for more people to get to more places — and it still counts as exercise.”
Andy Hanshaw is executive director of San Diego Bike Coalition, which has been advocating since 1987 for cyclist’s rights promoting bicycling as as mainstream, safe and enjoyable alternative form of transportation and recreation.
“Though we treat every month like bike month, May brings bicycles into the spotlight for a month of two-wheeled activities and events,” Hanshaw said adding, “During National Bike Month, we hope to inspire people to embrace bikes as a form of everyday commuting that makes our region a better place to live and ride all year long.”
Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more people to give it a try.
Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons for riding, claims the League of American Bicyclists on its website.
As a national sponsor, the League provides resources to help plan a biking event in your area. Each year, the number and diversity of Bike Month celebrations continues to grow, accelerating the momentum around bicycling nationwide.
The League of American bicyclists was founded as the League of American Wheelmen in 1880. Bicyclists, known then as “wheelmen,” were challenged by rutted roads of gravel and dirt and faced antagonism from horsemen, wagon drivers and pedestrians.
Back then, to improve riding conditions so they might better enjoy their newly discovered sport, more than 100,000 cyclists from across the United States joined the League to advocate for paved roads. The success of the League in its first advocacy efforts ultimately led to the country’s national highway system. Bike to Work Day When: Thursday, May 18. Pit stops: Circulate San Diego and beautifulPB, at Garnet and Ingraham; Pacific Beach Library, 4275 Cass St. Info: iCommuteSD.com.
