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Bike Month 2024

Every May is National Bike Month! See some of the ways that Downtown Raleigh is celebrating below. Roll on over for these fun and free events. 

To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the City of Raleigh’s Cardinal Bikeshare program, the City of Raleigh is offering free rides on the Cardinal Bikeshare system.

How Do I Ride Free?
To take advantage of this promotion, participants simply need to download the Cardinal Bikeshare App, create an account and input their payment information. Payment information is required for account setup. All rides lasting under one hour will be completely free of charge


Bikes and Brews

Join Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Oak City Cycling Project, GoRaleigh and Oaks and Spokes for a morning of community and fun to kick off Bike Month in style. Complimentary bike check-ups (air in tires, oiled chain, etc.) are provided for all participants along with sweet treats and coffee from some of your favorite local DTR spots.

Date: April 25
Thanks for coming out!

Time: 11am - 1pm

Location: Smoky Hollow


Bike Book Club with Oaks and Spokes and So and So Books

Oaks and Spokes and So & So Books are teaming up for a book club that focuses on cycling, active transportation, and how to get Raleigh rolling toward a more bike friendly future. 2024’s Bike Month Book Club will be reading ‘Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities’ by Veronica Davis.

Date: May 1

Time: All month long

Location: So & So Books


Bike To School Day

Bike to School Day is a national event held annually at schools and communities across the country. Bike to School Day events are a fun way to bring communities together to promote bicycle safety and encourage physical activity for elementary and middle school students.

Date: Wednesday, May 3

Time: Varies

Location: Find out more about Bike To School day at a school near you, visit walkbiketoschool.org


Marbles Kid's Bike Rodeo

Let's kick off Bike Month with the kiddos! Join the City of Raleigh and other partners to get Bike Month in gear with a kid-friendly cycling area + lessons.

Date: Saturday, May 4

Time: 9:30 am to 12 pm

Location:/a>Marbles Kids Museum


 

Raleigh Critical Mass

Cyclists from across the city will gather at the NCSU Memorial Belltower for a large group ride through Downtown Raleigh. Critical Mass group rides date back to the '90s and are hosted in major cities across the United States to bring attention to local biking communities.

Date: Friday, May 10

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Memorial Belltower through Downtown Raleigh

 

Community Bike Repair Day with Oak City Cares

Call for volunteers! Are you a bike mechanic looking for a great volunteer opportunity to use your skills to help those who may lack reliable transportation? Join Community Kickstand at Oak City Cares for the Bike Month edition of their monthly bike repair events for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Date: Saturday, May 11

Time: 1 pm to 3 pm

Location: Oak City Cares


MOMentum - Mother’s Day Morning Ride by Oaks and Spokes

This Mother's Day, join Oaks and Spokes to start your Mother's Day with a nice, leisurely paced ride from the Platform on Cabarrus Street in Downtown Raleigh's West End through Dorothea Dix Park. At the end, our friends at Boulted Bread will treat everyone with some coffee and treats. Moms, bring the whole family or leave them at home. It's your day, so do what you want!

Date: Sunday, May 12

Time: 8:30am - 10:30am

Location: Platform Raleigh, 600 W Cabarrus Street


Bike to Work Day Pit Stops

Ride to one or more pit stops for bike swag, snacks and fun! If your business is interested in having a Pit Stop location, fill out the form here.

Date: Thursday, May 16

Time: Morning and Afternoon Stops

Location: All across Downtown Raleigh - see all stops here


Third Thursday Cruiser Ride

Join Oak City Cycling Project for their Third Thursday cruiser ride. A special Bike Month edition brings out a crowd as our local bicycle advocacy organization, Oaks and Spokes, takes over the ride to highlight some of the key network corridors for Raleigh’s upcoming Active Transportation Plan update. This is a slow roll style, no-drop ride for everyone. Bring your family and your friends.

Date: May 16

Time: 7 pm

Location: Oak City Cycling Project


Downtown Green Market + Bike Brigade

Downtown Raleigh Alliance is thrilled to present our first Green Market and Bike Brigade, featuring some of our most sustainable DTR businesses in celebration of Bike Month. Swing by on the 22nd for a complimentary treat with a coupon from DRA for a free popsicle from Raleigh Popsicle or an iced cold beverage from Left Hook - both of which use their cargo bikes for mobile retail. We think that’s - wheely cool! 

In addition, this event will feature a green market with dozens of sustainable, local vendors. After your done shopping at the market, you can stop by one of the many adjacent downtown shops featured as part of our emerging sustainable fashion district in Downtown. Grab your bike and get ready to roll over for a family friendly, fun-filled evening.

Vendors Include:

Date: Wednesday, May 22

Time: 6pm - 8pm

Location: Exchange Plaza

RSVP here.


Oaks & Spokes and Crank Arm Brewing’s Light Up The Night Ride

The brightest group ride of the year is back again, so charge the batteries on all of your lights, throw them on your bike/person/helmet, put on your most reflective clothing, and come ride and shine! The Light Up The Night ride is part of Crank Arm's weekly Wednesday night ride, but it will be leaving later at 8:30 pm so we can more effectively light up the night!

Date: Wednesday, May 22

Time: 8pm - 10pm 

Location: Crank Arm Brewing Company

 

Win Pizza for Participating in Bike Month

For Bike Month this year, Oaks and Spokes and Trophy Brewing and Pizza have joined forces to present Bike It! Obtain your Bike It buttons from Oaks and Spokes at any of their upcoming events. Receive a gold star for each event hosted, co-hosted, or attended by Oaks and Spokes during Bike Month. When you attend five events and collect five stars, you will receive a certificate for a complimentary small cheese or pepperoni pizza at Trophy Brewing and Pizza on Morgan St. Ride your bike this Bike Month, and be rewarded with PIZZA!!!