How SLO cycled into Bike Month this year
Wrapping up National Bike month, San Luis Obispo kicked it off with a celebration on May 1st. San Luis Obispo residents headed to the Hub SLO for the event, where they were able to part courtesy of a “bike valet.” The kick-off party included food, trivia and a bike sumo competition organized by SLO Regional Rideshare.
Mallory Jenkins, the SLO Regional Rideshare Program Manager, said that this was a big year for them. During the pandemic, Rideshare wasn’t able to host as many community gatherings. In the past few years, Bike Month has started to grow.
“We’ve been doing Bike Month again now for the last couple of years, butthis year really kind of feels like things are really back,” Jenkins said. “I think the kickoff’s kind of a testament to that today.”
“You know, the city’s done an excellent job, I think, at really expanding things and trying to make it safer for people who are walking and biking, and we’ve got great weather here,” Jenkins said.
SLO has one of the largest National Bike Month Programs in the country, encouraging the community to trade driving for riding their bikes during the month of May.
“Why not try to bike where you’re going?”
Jenkins said.
SLO’s bike-friendly approach is making its way to Cal Poly’s campus with the installation of 12 new secure bike parking spots from BikeLink that allow students to lock their bikes through an app for however long they need. The On-Demand Bike Lockers are located along Tahoe Rd, adjacent to the Music Center and across from the University Union, according to Cal Poly Transportation & Parking Services.
BikeLink Representative Jake Masler said initiatives like this are essential in creating a safer environment for cyclists.
“Secured bike parking isa necessity if you’re going to get from A to B. I need to know I have a space to park and that I can actually come back with my bikes there. It’s very enabling the people to get out on their bikes and not just use their cars to get around if they have secured bike parking on the end” said Masler.
SLO Regional Rideshare hosted events throughout the month of May to celebrate Bike Month, including breakfasts at different local businesses, interactive group bike rides and a 15-mile “Tour De SLO” race.
A full Bike Month event calendar can be found on SLO Regional Rideshare’s website.
