Cycling is a very popular hobby and competitive sport that people of almost all ages can enjoy. Whether we prefer a leisurely ride down the street or an adventurous off-road challenge, various disciplines will suit our cycling needs.
But not many cyclists know that their favorite sport is celebrated at least once a month every year.
And now for the important question: Who established national bike month? The League of American Bicyclists did – in May 1956, with the aim of promoting cycling and its benefits.
So when is national bike month? Up until today, May is National Bike Month still, and you’ll see governments of different cities sign a proclamation supporting the celebration of this event.
But what is so great about celebrating bike month? Read on and find out.
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An in-depth Guide to National Bike Month
Over the years, bicycle users and riders have increased in numbers. In 2015, there were approximately 43 million bicycle riders, and this stat grew to 52 million in 2023.
In looking at the history of the national biker holiday, it is amazing that cycling has been around for almost 200 years now. It is such a globally popular activity that biking organizations have made national bike months a thing.
The National Bike Month is a way to celebrate cycling and encourage people of all ages to get more active and take part in this activity.
The goal of this amazing celebration is to increase the number of people who ride bikes, especially children. It is also a great way to encourage people to commute more safely and be a ‘roll model’ on the road.
Since the popularity of cycling has only skyrocketed over time, some of you may wonder what year was national bike month established.
The official National Bike Month first took place in 1956 and was sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists.
National Bike Safety Month
The League of American Bicyclists, along with local communities and the help of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, made it possible to promote and spread the word about Bike Month or National Bike Safety Month.
The celebration of bicycling is an exciting time for cyclists, but it can be confusing for those who don’t regularly ride bikes or aren’t sure how best to enjoy this occasion.
Organizers usually get creative in promoting bike month by hosting events and even providing safety tips for riding a bicycle. Here are some things to know to embrace National Bike Month.
Events to try out
Within the month, cities can schedule different activities on different days in order to tackle different topics and activities related to biking.
- Ride on bike-only streets (some paths will exclude other vehicles temporarily)
- Bike to work
- Safe cycling class to examine your riding techniques
- Organized pit stops along routes, which allow you to snack and enjoy the sceneries
- Traffic law and safety seminars
- Party events with vendors, professional cyclists/bike experts, etc.
- Within bike month, there is also a national bike week. National bicycle week is also celebrated some time in May, and the date may differ from year to year and from one country to another. This year, bike week was held from May 14 until May 22 in Ireland and from May 16 in the US.
Aside from the above, you can also create your own events, from a mini bike race to other activities.
If you know someone who might be interested in biking, you can even invite them to join a local club or make a donation to cycling organizations.
Getting involved in National Bike Month is a fun way to build community pride and show that biking is safe and fun for everyone!
Safety Tips
- Know the road signs and rules, and above all, follow traffic laws.
- Have some spatial awareness. The road is not only used by bike riders; even large vehicles and small motors can ride beside you, so better watch out.
- Always wear full protective gear. Although it may sound a bit excessive, it is still better to be safe than sorry.
- Know your route and plan ahead. There are always unexpected things that can happen, so you must always have a backup plan. Bring your tools and some food, or have a second route in case the first option is not feasible.
Benefits of Cycling
- You can celebrate and enjoy cycling as a lifelong sport.
- A great leisure activity to stay in tip-top shape while spending less effort than jogging or running.
- Cycling offers a great, cheaper, and eco-friendly alternative to spending on gas for vehicles.
- Cycling doesn’t produce toxic carbon dioxide, thus promoting cleaner and fresher air.
- Riding a bicycle is also a great means of transportation to go to places faster.
Who Declared Bike Day?
It was the United Nations General Assembly that approved June 3 as world bike day. But Professor Leszek Sibilski contributed greatly to making this event possible. He and his class advanced World Bicycle Day to the UN until they had the support needed to make Bike Day possible.
What is National Bike Day?
Now that you know that May is national bike month, have you heard of national bike day?
For those who have other schedules planned for the month of May, it’s possible to celebrate biking on just one special date – May 1.
But if May 1 is a no-go, you can still make cycling a part of your life! You can try riding your bike to work and participate in the National Bike to Work Day which is held every third Friday of May.
Who First Made Bicycles in India?
Bicycles were imported and brought to India by the British during the 60s. They were made popular due to their features and benefits of making transportation an easy-to-access commodity during those times.
Conclusion
Who established national bike month is not a silly question.
Having time to recognize the importance of bicycling, encourage cycling as a safe mode of transportation, and promote safety for bicyclists is a huge plus in the bike community.
Think about what your biking goals are and then focus on those specific goals. You might be able to achieve them when bike month is around the corner.
“I ride my bike to work for years, but is that enough? Our carelessness towards our surroundings has taken a toll on the environment. And now, everyone is responsible for changes; even the most minor contribution is counted. With this hope and spirit, I started with my partner to establish Biketoworkday to help more individuals commute to their work sites on their bikes.”