This story originally appeared in Bike Fun in the Mountain View Voice on May 6, 2014.
This Thursday is Bike to Work Day. You’re ready, right? But Bike Month doesn’t end on Thursday. From Bike to Shop Day to bike programs at the Mountain View Public Library to a bike exhibit at the Los Altos History Museum, there are a host of bike-related activities to get you rolling on for weeks, months and years.
Bike to Work Day – Thursday, May 8
The granddaddy of Bike Month celebrations is back for its 20th year in the Bay Area. Many local companies will host their own festivities, but everyone can celebrate at Energizer Stations set up along popular commute routes. Stop at one for coffee and snacks and a free goody bag, or make a game of it and see how many you can visit along the way. One year my bike commute buddy and I hit five.
The Energizer Station hosted by the Mountain View Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee at the downtown Caltrain station is the place to see and be seen. Last year then-Mayor John Inks rolled up on his bike for a little meet-and-greet. He was gracious enough to smile for my camera.
Bike Away From Work Bash – Thursday, May 8, 6-8 pm
If you’re looking for something fun to do on your evening commute, hop on Caltrain to San Jose City Hall for the annual Bike Away from Work Bash hosted by the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. Live music, food, and beer. Winona Hubbard of Kidical Mass and I will be taking bike portraits of party guests. This year’s theme is “Dress Like Your Bike.” I have the perfect bouclé jacket and pillbox hat to go with my vintage-style bike.
If you haven’t been to a party inside the rotunda at San Jose City Hall, it’s worth the trip down. A Caltrain bullet will get you to San Jose in 15 minutes and it’s about a 10 minute roll to City Hall on San Jose’s new green lanes on San Fernando St and protected bike lanes on 3rd and 4th Streets.
Bike Month at the Mountain View Library – Several Events
Ride to the library for Bike Month and come back with more than books. The Mountain View Public Library is hosting bike skills classes, a theft prevention seminar, and a book bag giveaway for Bike to Shop Day. And they’ve installed a very useful bike repair station out front. Whether you need tips on riding safely, locking your bike securely, air in your tires or your seatpost tightened, the library has what you need.
Patrons who arrive by bike on Bike to Shop Day and show a library card will receive a free book bag. Get a second bag and you can make your own bike panniers, using step-by-step instructions from the library’s Shop by Bike workshop in March. With less than $5 in materials and 30 minutes of time you can get that shopping load off your back and onto your bike rack.
Bike to Shop Day – Saturday, May 17
You should be seeing the Bike to Shop Day posters starting to show up in store windows this week. Twenty businesses in Mountain View are offering discounts and other special offers to shoppers who arrive by bike.
In addition to the library, the list includes: Diddams, Cognition Cyclery, Morocco’s, Posh Bagel, Cascal, Ava’s Market, East West Bookstore, Book Buyers, Books Inc, Dana Street Roasting, Seascapes, Boutique 4, Villa Rouge, Chef Liu, Cijjo, Empire Vintage Clothing, Red Rock Coffee, Asian Box and Peets. Zoom in and click on the merchant map on the Bike to Shop Day web site for special offer details.
Pedal Power: From Workhorse to Wacky Exhibit – through October
Ride down to the Los Altos History Museum for an amazing exhibit of bikes and bicycling history. From a high-wheeled penny farthing to the first pro bike of racer Greg Lemond to custom creations that defy description, you’ll see it all and learn a few things too. The museum is also hosting a Bike to Work Day evening reception from 5-7 pm on May 8.
May is Bike Month Calendar for Mountain View
Thursday, May 8 – Bike to Work Day. Ride your bike to work on the biggest bike commuting day of the year and stop at energizer stations sprinkled all over Silicon Valley along the way.
Thursday, May 8 – Library Bike Stop Fixit Station. Join city council members and city officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony and demonstration of the new bike repair station at the Mountain View Library. 1:15 pm.
Thursday, May 8 – Bike Away From Work Events Continue the fun on your evening commute with parties at Bike Away from Work Bash at San Jose City Hall and the Pedal Power exhibit at the Los Altos History Museum. Both events are free.
Thursday, May 15 – Theft Proof Bike Learn about bike theft and how to prevent it from the Mountain View Police at the Mountain View Library. 7pm. Free. No registration required.
Friday, May 16 – Ladies Night at Cognition Cyclery Ladies, meet other female cyclists, share bicycling stories tips, and learn about upcoming clinics and group rides. Plus sweet cupcakes and sweet door prizes.
Saturday, May 17 – Bike to Shop Day. Hop on your bike for your Saturday errands during this one-day event. Shop at participating businesses for special offers just for shoppers who arrive by bike.
Saturday, May 17 – Kidical Mass. Join families with kids of all ages on this 3 mile ride with stops at local kid-friendly businesses supporting Bike to Shop Day. Starts at 10 am at the Mountain View Library. Free.
Sunday, May 18 – Urban Bike Skills – On the Road. Bring your bike for this on-street class and learn: gears, shifting and cadence, braking and crash avoidance techniques, and traffic and intersection etiquette. Participants must have attended URBAN BIKE SKILLS: BE a CYCLIST on May 3.
All May – Team Bike Challenge. Form a team of up to five people, record your daily bike mileage on the Team Bike Challenge site. Team members earn points for every mile they pedal, whether they’re riding to work, school, errands or just for fun.
Through October – Pedal Power: From Workhorse to Wacky. Bikes of every shape, size and purpose are featured in this exhibit detailing the history of bikes and bicycling from a local perspective. Free.
What’s your challenge for Bike Month? Riding to work? to the library or stores? Or meeting a new mileage goal for the month?
Bike Fun with Dick and Janet 