MAY: NATIONAL BIKE MONTH
May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the  League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.
Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride.
Join the National Bike ChallengeÂ
The National Bike Challenge is a nationwide event uniting thousands of current bicyclists — and encouraging countless new riders. In its simplest form it is a logging center for users to record miles ridden and be part of the national community of bicyclists. It is a free and easy way to challenge yourself, colleagues and the greater community to ride more. Users compete on a local, state and national level. The Challenge aims to unite 50,000 riders to pedal 30 million miles from May 1, 2014 until September 30, 2014. Now in its third year, the Challenge is a successful partnership between the League of American Bicyclists and Kimberly-Clark’s Scott Natural Brand.
The League of American Bicyclists owns, operates, and maintains the National Bike Challenge website. The League’s mission is to lead the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.
After you sign up for the National Bike Challenge. and create your account -Â join team Bike Santa Monica!
The National Bike Challenge officially starts May 1st. This year there are 3 apps you can choose from to record you participation. EASY!
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Bike it Walk it Week Santa Monica, May 5th -9th
May 7th: National Walk Bike to School Day
Santa Monica and Malibu schools celebrate Bike it Walk it Week May 5-9. Join the fun by contacting your PTA President or Bike it Walk it coordinator at your school to find out about how you can participate. Saturday May 3rd FREE kids bike skills workshops to learn and brush up bike skills for Bike it Walk it Week and summer fun! Kids 8-16 can bring their bike and helmets to learn and practice ridding skills.
Workshops are scheduled Saturday May 3rd, 9:30 to 12:30 at:
- Memorial Park, on 14th north of Olympic Blvd
- Santa Monica Bike Campus at the end of Ocean Park Blvd at Barnard Way, near Perry’s Cafe.
Bike Week LA 2014
Bike Week LA is an annual week of community events sponsored by Metro and local advocates all over the County of Los Angeles to promote bicycling as a sustainable and practical mode of transportation. Check Metro website for events all over LA.  In Santa Monica we have you covered, to get connected in your area connect with LACBC, your areas LACBC chapters or Bike Ambassadors.
Santa Monica Spoke we will again participate and host rides and events through out the week! More info on these rides and events is coming soon. Here is an overview of some of what we have planned locally to get you excited!
The week starts Saturday, May 10th and runs through Sunday, May 18th.
- Saturday
Get ready with fix your bike day. Local shops will host safety checks to help get your bike in good running order. List of shops and hours will be posted
- Monday
Metro Kicks of Bike Week at Union Station.
Meatless Monday Ride in Santa Monica, Join SM Spoke for a ride to dinner at a favorite local  eatery, the Veggie Grill!
- Tuesday
Ladies Choice/ Coffee Talk and Ride. Chat, ask questions, share stores – what ever over some coffee, and then we ride – no specific route – all are welcome, but it’s ladies choice
Good Samaritan Hospital’s 11th Annual Blessing of the Bicycles, join up in SM after coffee  (or tea) and ride to the event
- Wednesday
Guided Ride of some of our local Bike Infrastructure. Give input, ask questions hear about what is next – We finish the tour at Wine Expo for a Handlebar Happy Hour, with snacks and beverage specials just for us!
- Thursday
Bike to Work Day Pit Stops, we joining City of Santa Monica at City Hall on Main Street and will also Co-Host a pitstop with Coop at 16th & Broadway
- Friday
Metro Hosts Bike Night at Union Station. We have a VERY SPECIAL EVENT HERE LOCALLY in the works – more to come on that as it all firms up
- Saturday & Sunday
Bike Locally! Ride your bike to eat, play or shop, take advantage of special discounts just for bicyclists! Coordinating with Buy Local Santa Monica we have been hard at work signing up business to participate. Buy Local is now also Bike Local – Because bicyclists are great for local business!
Join SM Spoke for a ride to dinner at a favorite local eatery, the Veggie Grill! See the new sidewalk bike corral out front and enjoy the evening and yummy treats. Veggie Grill will donate 50% of all receipts* when customers mention Bike Week LA or Santa Monica Spoke!
