The month of May means something different to many people – perhaps the end of the school year, time to take a vacation, or when the spring season really gets into full swing. But since 1956, May has also been known as National Bike Month, a designation promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and a great excuse to get outside and active on two wheels.
Here are some ideas for how to celebrate National Bike Month this May and all throughout the year for a healthier and eco-friendlier life.
Use Your Bike to Commute
Depending on where you live, you might be able to swap out your car for a bike to get to work or school. Biking for your commute is a great way to squeeze in morning and evening workouts while also reducing your environmental impact from vehicle emissions. Take a backpack or saddlebags with a change of clothes and whatever else you’ll need to freshen up when you arrive at your job or school.
Get the Whole Family Into Biking
Biking is a great form of exercise for young children, older adults, and everyone in between. If you have children, consider going for family bike rides during the month of May to explore the neighborhood or local trail systems. If you’re a little more adventurous, you can even head out to some mountain biking trails to challenge yourself family with some rocks, tree roots, and hills to navigate.
Sign Up for a Bike Tour or Race
Sometimes we all need a little extra motivation to get biking, which is why tours and races are excellent opportunities. Bike tours are a fun way to get to know your own city better or to explore new places on vacation. Meanwhile, you can give yourself a goal to work up to by signing up for a bike race that is just a few miles long or perhaps even a “century ride” that requires 100 miles of pedaling!
Give Your Local Bike-Sharing Program a Try
Many cities have bike-sharing programs that let you borrow public bikes for a limited amount of time to get around whenever you need one. These programs are ideal for commuters and occasional riders who don’t want to invest in or maintain their own bikes. It’s also a fun way to get around new places that you are visiting on a trip when you’re in the mood for sightseeing.
Learn the Basics of Bike Maintenance
Anyone who rides a bike should know the basics of how to maintain it if something goes wrong. This includes filling air into the tires, fixing a flat tire, and checking the brakes. Many outdoor gear stores, such as REI, offer bike maintenance courses that you can sign up for. Local bike shops may offer classes too so that you feel more confident while riding out by yourself.
Looking for more inspiration to get out and exercise this spring? Check out some of our other fitness-related articles on the Seagate blog: