May is National Bike Month!

Bike MonthMay is National Bike Month! Celebrate with a variety of cycling activities and events around the Tampa Bay area. Locally, the Tampa BayCycle campaign is brought to you by the Tampa Downtown Partnership and the New North Transportation Alliance.

“Through Tampa BayCycle, we want to offer a variety of opportunities for people to get on their bikes. From bike valet at the Tampa Downtown Market and area events, bike safety classes, to promoting Bicycle Friendly Businesses designation; there is something for everyone offered throughout the month” said Karen Kress, director of transportation and planning for the Tampa Downtown Partnership and a bikes on bus commuter. “Fifteen percent of trips are within one mile of home and could easily be taken by bicycle instead of car. With a helmet, proper safety skills, and careful route choice, bicycling becomes a much more feasible and healthier way to get around.”

Cool Bike Month stuff for you and to do!

Caffeinated cyclists: Tampa BayCycle has partnered with Kahwa Coffee’s six area locations to distribute free bike light safety kits through the “Drink up then Light up” campaign. Free cup of coffee included!

Bike repair stations: The New North Transportation Alliance is placing a network of bicycle repair stations around the USF area. The self-repair stations provide a stand, tools, and air pump.

More bike parking: In preparation for Coast Bikeshare, the Tampa Downtown Partnership is adding more bike parking options. It will be a combination of medallions on parking meter posts, free standing bike racks and two do-it-yourself-repair stations, bringing the number of places to park your bike downtown to approximately 250!

Bicycle to the market: The Tampa Downtown Market offers free bike valet, bike safety literature, and bike lights every Sunday from 10am – 3pm. Check out the Coast bikes at the market, and enter to win a free bikeshare one month membership. The market will feature different local bike groups each week

  • May 4: City Bike Tampa Use the bike valet at the market and get 50% off a tune-up ($35 value)
  • May 11: Tampa Bay Bike Co-Op Free safety checks from a staff mechanic to attendees who ride their bike to the market
  • May 18: History Bike Tampa Abbreviated tours from the market at 11am, 1pm, and 2pm

More good stuff:

May 1st
Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPC) 13th Annual Clean Air Fair 11:30am-1:30pm Poe Plaza in downtown Tampa. Free annual Coast Bikeshare membership drawing.
May 3rd
History Bike Tampa Tour 10am – 12noon
May 7th
May 8th
BikeSmart Class 6pm @ Duckweed Urban Market. Participants receive free bike gear. RSVP required.
May 10th
May 11th
Free Bike valet at Seminole Heights Market
May 14th
Want to make walking and bicycling safer in Hillsborough County? Check out the MPO’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting at 5:30pm
May 15th
12-1pm BikeSmart Class (classroom setting) 12 noon – 1pm Receive a bicycle headlight set. Two locations: USF – RSVP required, email Julie Bond or call 813/974-9799.Downtown Tampa – RSVP required, email Karen Kress or call 813/221-3686.
May 16th
National Bike to Work Day. For Tampa’s Downtown Bike to Work info, contact Karen Kress
May 21st
May 22nd
May 28th
May 30th
Critical Mass Tampa ride starts at Curtis Hixon Park at 7:30pm
May 31st
Free mountain bike skill training and ride 9am – 11am (value $120 per person!). Enjoy a morning riding the challenging off-road trails at Alafia River State Park. Learn from guide Kurt Galatro, U.S. Cup Mountainbike Champion! RSVP required to kgalatro@me.com . BYOB (bike) but limited rentals may be available.
Special Note
Check out group rides available in the Tampa Bay area. Visit Tampa Baycycle’s 2014 events page for updates to this list.
Top