May is Bike Month kicks off today, offering residents the opportunity to explore Sacramento from a different perspective: on two wheels.
This annual regional campaign promotes bicycling for everyday trips to help reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The average errand trip is between one to three miles which is the perfect distance for bicycling, especially given Sacramento’s flat streets and the Delta breeze.
City staff are participating in May is Bike Month community events and outreach efforts throughout the month.
Residents can participate by logging bike rides on NorCal GO (the region’s trip planning app that integrates with fitness apps including Strava and Garmin), earning Bike Month badges and prizes, and taking part in any of the 30+ community bike events.
A highlight of this year’s activities is a City-led community bike ride scheduled for Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning and ending at O’Neil Park (715 Broadway).
The guided, slow-paced ride will follow a four-mile loop through the Upper Land Park neighborhood, connecting to the Del Rio Trail and the Sacramento River Bike Trail. Along the route, participants will ride on a range of bikeway types including shared-use paths, bike routes, bike lanes, and buffered bike lanes.
The ride will include multiple rest stops and feature several current and upcoming City transportation projects including the Del Rio Trail, Fruitridge Road Safety and Mobility Plan, Broadway Complete Streets, and several quick-build projects. Participants should bring their own bike and are encouraged to bring a helmet, water, and sun protection.
“May is Bike Month is a great opportunity for residents to experience Sacramento’s bike network and see how it continues to grow,” said Nicole Zhi Ling Porter, Senior Transportation Planner in the City’s Mobility and Sustainability Division. “Events like this community ride can help people feel more comfortable biking in their neighborhoods and see where the City is making improvements.”
Sacramento continues to expand and improve its bicycle infrastructure to address gaps in the transportation network and make riding safer, easier, and more accessible.
The recently adopted Streets For People Plan recommends 417 miles of new or upgraded bike facilities throughout the city to provide residents with more access to everyday destinations. Planning efforts like this – and annual campaigns like May is Bike Month – support the city’s 2040 General Plan goal of achieving 6% active transportation mode share by 2030.
More information about May is Bike Month events and how to participate is available at MayisBikeMonth.com.
