National Bike Month definitely feels a little different in 2020. It seems odd to “celebrate” very much of anything in these trying times, and yet riding a bike is likely a more powerful antidote to the coronavirus than a lot of things being pitched out there at the moment. The simple act of riding a bike is a great release to the stress and strain of the moment, and the physical benefits of getting your heart and lungs pumping can’t be underestimated.
So as The League says, it is still Bike Month and it’s OK to celebrate! It also feels right to recognize the extraordinary work of national, state, local, and community-based organizations that make biking possible every day of the year — perhaps the nearest thing we’ve got to frontline workers this bike month (other than actual frontline workers who are riding to and from work every day still).
Bicycling is an inherently and wonderfully social activity. A lot of groups rely on events, rides, training, and various social programs for their livelihood and energy – so not being able to gather and ride together is a huge adjustment. At the same time, I see people and families riding past my window everyday who are clearly getting back on their bikes for the first time in a while and we need to capture this moment and enable them all to keep riding – that will only happen with active local groups.
All of which is to say that this Bike Month, we’re celebrating on social media each day by highlighting one of the amazing organizations that make up the all-powerful bike lobby. Support them, they need your help and we need them to be there. We started, appropriately enough, with the League of American Bicyclists…who have hosted National Bike Month for more than 50 years. We’ll cover local organizations in cities where we have offices, national organizations that give us a voice, and maybe the occasional international player that inspires us as well. Tell us if you think we’re missing anyone important…we’ve got a whole month to celebrate together, even if we have to ride apart for a while longer.
Stay safe and healthy.
International Mountain Bicycling Association
Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center
Washington Area Bicyclist Association
