By Kate Bartlett
May is National Bike Month, when cyclists share their enthusiasm and appreciation for biking as transportation, recreation and essential to many in their everyday life. Cycling continues to gain popularity in our region, and the Buffalo area is hosting a variety of events throughout the month of May; over 30 participating organizations and over 50 events sponsored by Independent Health. Various events include rides, breakfasts, happy hours, discounts at local businesses, prizes and more. GObike is passionate about biking and encourages riders to “Make May the month you change your habits and incorporate riding more often. Bike Month is a collaboration of the efforts of dozens of different organizations, including our biggest sponsor Independent Health, as well as the smaller groups like East Side Bike Club, Hamburg Moves, Slow Roll and more.”
The goal of National Bike Month is to raise awareness of environmental sustainability while promoting a healthy lifestyle and saving money at the gas pump. GObike provides mobile repair events, bike rodeos, and group rides. Many area schools are hosting Bike to School events and Bike to Work week is May 15-19. Explore Buffalo is offering tours by bike of the Buffalo Harbor area.
Kevin Heffernan, Communications Director with GObike, invites everyone to reconsider riding again. “The weather is perfect. Not too hot, not too cold, and getting comfortable riding now will lead to a summer full of biking adventures. On a deeper level, this is an effort to get more people on bikes out on the road, trying something new. We don’t want anyone to feel alone cycling for the first time, no matter their age.” The events also strive to raise driver awareness. “We hope drivers notice a difference and begin to slow down, put their phones down, and drive more carefully.”
GObike reminds people that their neighbors on bikes have a right to the road. “Riding single-file or two-abreast in drive lanes is legal in our state. Cycling is good for your physical and mental health, but has a powerful environmental impact. The people who have gotten out of their cars and onto their bikes have decreased traffic, they’ve decreased demand for gas which contributes to lower gas prices, and they’ve decreased the amount of pollution they’re producing in the air we all breathe.
With the success of “Bike Buses to school” out in the Pacific Northwest, Buffalo has also incorporated Bike to School Days encouraging parents to form groups and ride their kids to school. “This week we have nearly 50 kids ready to ride! Those kids will start their day with something more invigorating than sitting in a car, in the drop-off lane. They’ll be fired up and more ready to learn than the kids who did not ride that day. They’re also developing confidence on the road, ability to navigate and get to know their city, and making stronger bonds with their friends. We help this week and then encourage parents to take it on consistently from here.”
“We’ve also seen our Bike Breakfasts pick up steam downtown in Buffalo. We team up with Hostel Buffalo to put out coffee and oatmeal and baked goods and it’s very low key to come through for 5 or 30 minutes and meet people before going into work in a great mood. That elevates this year on May 17, Bike to Work Day, when we will have 4 different parties across the city of Buffalo with coffee, food, music, high fives, T-shirts. You just don’t get that kind of fun while sitting alone in your car!.”
After Bike Month, Go Bike Buffalo hopes to keep the momentum going. On Wednesday, June 14, Ride Reels will be held at Burchfield Penney Art Center. This event will feature a few short films about how to develop a city that’s safer, more resilient to storms and economic downtown, and more connected by making it easier to walk, ride, and use public transit. It will be a party with a mixer beforehand, food and drinks included, with a panel discussion to follow. Tickets are only $15 sponsored by Evans Bank.
On Sunday July 16 (716!), the 9th Annual SkyRide will take to the skies over Buffalo’s harbor with an all new addition this year – Skyrace. For the first time, 150 competitive cyclists will race at 7AM, before the more casual ride at 8:30AM, and the biggest post-party yet will be held in celebration on the Outer Harbor, Lakeside Bike Bash in the Honda VIP tent.
“Bikes, due to their relative low cost, their simple mechanics, their beautiful design, and their ability to be used by almost anyone, are humanity’s most noble invention. They deserve the month of May and beyond to be celebrated,” says Heffernan. Whether you join in an organized event, or just grab your bike and take a ride, make May the month you give it a spin, pun intended!
Visit https://gobikebuffalo.org/project/bike-month-bflo/ for a full list of events and follow GO Bike Buffalo on social media for updates.