May is National Bike Month, and Greater St. Louis, Inc., Metro Transit, Trailnet, and Washington University in St. Louis have partnered to celebrate biking and to highlight the many benefits for recreation, fitness, transportation, and more. Several events are planned in May to promote biking and alternative transportation – and encourage more people to give biking a try.
"Streets that are safe for bikes are streets that are safe for all,” said Cindy Mense, CEO of Trailnet. “When folks in our communities feel comfortable and happy riding a bike in their neighborhoods, our region becomes more vibrant as a whole. That's the vision we champion, and the lifestyle that we celebrate, every May during National Bike Month."
National Bike Month Events
Today through May 5, area residents can take the pledge to bike to work on National Bike to Work Day on May 19 or another day of their choosing, and receive a free Metro Transit Day Pass (while supplies last) to help make their bike commutes into work easier. The pledge form can be found at trailnet.org/bike-month. Participants can also enter to win one of five Metro Transit July Metro Monthly Passes.
- On Wednesday, May 10, at 6 p.m. the public is invited to Central Library in downtown St. Louis (1301 Olive) for a free evening showing and discussion of The Street Project documentary, a story on the global, citizen-led fight for safer streets.
- On Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to noon, downtown St. Louis will welcome cyclists from throughout the region for a free, family-friendly downtown bike ride. Information booths, and more will be available after the bike ride.
- Friday, May 19 is National Bike to Work Day. From 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on National Bike to Work Day, bike commuters can visit one of several area hospitality stations for free coffee and pastries, as well as a custom “I Biked to Work” sticker they can wear with pride. Cyclists can find hospitality stations at the Forest Park-DeBaliviere, Cortex and Civic Center MetroLink Stations; at Kaldi’s Coffee on S. Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood and in Clayton on Demun Avenue; and other locations throughout the region.
Commuters combining their bikes with MetroLink and/or MetroBus for their trips can learn more about how to easily load their bikes onto buses and trains by visiting metrostlouis.org/bike-and-ride.
“Bikes are an important part of our regional transportation network, and National Bike Month is the perfect time to find out what a convenient, effective and fun transportation option cycling is,” said Charles Stewart, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Transit. “In combination with safe streets, trails, and bikeways, or by bringing your bike onboard one of our buses or trains, you can reach nearly any destination in the bi-state area.”