may is national bike month!

Earth Month may be over as of yesterday, but today brings in the first day of National Bike Month, so the party can continue!

National Bike Month began in 1956 as a way to showcase the benefits of bicycling. It takes place in May because it's one of the better weather months across the country, creating nice conditions for riding.

Many cities have local events to celebration National Bike Month, so check around with your bike groups or leagues to see if there is anything happening near you!

Of note for New Orleans: Bike Easy is hosting a Bicycle Second Line on Sunday, May 18! The brass band will be playing in a truck bed while everyone follows on their bikes. It's sure to be a truly unique ride.

So what's happening in Lafayette for Bike Month?

• MAY 2: It's the third to last Downtown Alive of the season, and Bike Lafayette will be running their bike valet again. Ride your bike and park with ease right inside the gates! The valet service is free, and your bikes will remain safe.
• MAY 6: City-parish Pres Joey Durel will make the proclamation for Lafayette’s 3rd annual Bike Month 5:30 p.m. at the Lafayette Consolidated Government building downtown. Following the proclamation, everyone will ride a victory lap around town with other bicycling enthusiasts.
• MAY 6: If you can't make it out for the proclamation, you can choose to head toward Youngsville for the Tri a Time trial, where you can work to set a new personal record.
• MAY 7: Bike to School today, geared toward college students taking finals. Wednesday is Dead Day, so take a break from studying, hop on your bike, and go for a ride starting at Dupre Library at 5 p.m.
• MAY 11: Bike Lafayette is putting on a ride in memory of Roxanne Richard, who was killed when hit by a car while riding her bike near Grand Coteau. The ride will be 25 miles at comfortable touring pace with a stop for brunch in Arnaudville. The ride kicks off at 7:30 a.m.  from Acadiana Park. And you'll be able to see the future site of a new cycling rest area in memory of Roxanne.
• MAY 12-16: Bike to Work week! Bike Lafayette is running a cute contest where you can win gift certificates and other prizes just by taking a picture of yourself with your bike at work and posting it to their Facebook page. 
• MAY 14: Bike to Work day. I'll be sharing tips next week on how to commute to work on your bicycle, so come on back!
• MAY 14: The Women on Wheels Ride is for any female riders, no experience necessary. Meet at Artmosphere at 6 p.m.
• MAY 17-18: For the adventurous spirits, go on a weekend trip on the Longleaf Trace, a 40-mile car-free rail-to-trail pathway in Mississippi. Meet at Target in Upper Lafayette on Saturday at 8 a.m. Eat lunch in Hattiesburg. Pedal to Prentiss Saturday afternoon. Camp or motel overnight after the best buffet in the state. Pedal back to Hattiesburg Sunday morning.
• MAY 19: Acadiana Bicycle Company is teaching riders basic bicycle maintenance and show you how to fix a flat, fix a chain and change a tire.
• MAY 21: The worldwide Ride of Silence will begin at 7 p.m. at Mickey Shunick's ghost bike. Join others in Lafayette, and thousands around the world in a silent ride to honor those injured or killed while riding. 
• MAY 24: Fixie Fest at Hub City Cycles at 9 p.m.
• MAY 27: At 6 p.m., go for a ride on the new mountain bike trails at Acadiana Park.
• MAY 30: For those of you with little kiddies, head down to the Southside Library between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.: Kick off your kids’ summer reading and riding with bicycle safety education, free bicycle helmet distribution and a bicycle giveaway sponsored by Capitol Cyclery and Bike Lafayette.
• MAY 31: The Dust Bowl Jam is happening at the Youth Park from 5 to 7 p.m. Strut your BMX and skateboard stunts and win cash prizes. 
• MAY 31: Kidical Mass School’s Out for the Summer Ride Family Ride - bring the children out for a family ride that includes snowballs and prizes!
• MAY 31: Better Block Bertrand: See what bicycle and pedestrian-friendly urban living can look like in this daylong demo. Ride by Bertrand between Johnston and Arceneaux. And enjoy Bike Lafayette’s free bike valet service! 
• MAY 1 to SEPTEMBER 30: Sign up to participate in the Get Up & Ride National Bike Challenge that encourages people to bike for transportation and recreation. Win awards or prizes for riding your bike.

I'd love to send a big THANK YOU to Bike Lafayette for organizing so many great events for National Bike Month. Now get out there and ride! Take pictures along the way and share them online with the hashtag #BikeMonth, and then it's like you're riding with everyone else in the world!