May is National Bike month! There are events, celebrations and commuter activities throughout the Triangle in May, and especially during Bike-to-Work Week 2011, May 16-20. Check out the info below and find out what's going on in your part of town. Some events require registration, so be sure to use the appropriate links. Not so sure about biking to work, but you like community events? Peruse the list for family-friendly fun.

Looking for more info before you try a commute? Visit the cyclist resource page on GoTriangle.org. And don't forget about the free Emergency Ride Home program in case a guaranteed ride (in a car) is needed because of unscheduled overtime, sickness, or family emergency. Also learn about combining biking with the bus to get you where you need to if it's a little too far for just you and a bike. You can also sign up for the cyclist listserv to stay informed about bike events throughout the year.

Remember, cycling is a great way to get places – even if it isn't to work. Be sure to know the rules of the road so you can stay safe and enjoy two-wheeled transportation, regardless of where you're going.


Download the Bike to Work Month Calendar here!


Find your location below:
Chapel Hill & Carrboro        Durham        Raleigh        RTP        Wake Forest

Chapel Hill & Carrboro

• Saturday, May 14 – Bike on Bus Demonstrations, 9am – noon
  - Carrboro – Carrboro Farmers Market, Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.
  - Chapel Hill – S. Estes Farmers Market, University Mall, 201 South Estes Drive
  - Chapel Hill Transit bus drivers will show you how to load your bike on the front racks of the bus.


• Week of May 16 – 20
  - Activities and prizes daily!
  Walk/Bike to School Week at Carrboro Elementary.


• Tuesday, May 17
  - Carrboro Bike Breakfast, 7-10 am
  Tentative location: Parking lot on Roberson and Main St. - across from Armadillo Grill
  Celebrate Bike to Work Week with free breakfast, bike check-ups, prizes, and a raffle!


• Friday, May 20, gathering at 5:30pm
  - Bike Chapel Hill-Carrboro ride, Wallace Plaza (on top of the Rosemary Parking Deck)
  This rolling bike parade is an 8 mile loop that winds through Chapel Hill into Carrboro then back to the start for an after party with food and live music.

Durham

• Sunday, May 1, Noon – 5pm
  - Durham Earth Day Festival Featuring Bull City Open Streets, Durham Central Park, 201 Foster St.
  Bull City Open Streets will close the streets surrounding the Earth Day Festival from noon to 3pm to promote biking, walking and other activities. Free bike valet parking provided by Durham BPAC.


• Wednesday, May 4, 5pm – 7pm
  - Bike Month Kickoff, American Tobacco Campus on Blackwell St.
  Durham Bicycle Friendly Community Celebration and family-friendly ride.


• Saturday, May 7, 10am
  Durham Greenways Ride with East Coast Greenway Alliance
  Celebrate the ECG's move to Bull City with a 28-mile ride. For more info visit:
  www.crosstrianglegreenway.org/durham-greenways-ride


• Wednesday, May 11, 5 – 7pm
  - Cyclists Social, Sunset Grille, 5850 Fayetteville Rd # 101 or milepost 5.75 on the American Tobacco Trail.
  Cyclists enjoy free food, giveaways & bike checks provided by REI mechanics.


• Saturday, May 14th, 2pm
  - Cleveland Holloway Bike Clinic, Oakwood Park on the corner of Oakwood Ave. and Holloway.
  Free bike checks, information, and prizes


• Saturday, May 14th, 2pm
  - Watts Hospital-Hillandale Bike Clinic, Oval Park.
  Free bike checks, information, and prizes


• Sunday, May 15, 6pm
  - Ladies Ride (men also welcome)
  Start at Durham Bike Co-op, 715 Washington St., lower level. This is a nice cruise around the city, hosted by the Durham Bike Co-op.


• Monday, May 16, depart 7:30am
  - Commuter "Bike Bus" from American Tobacco Trail parking lot, corner of Fayetteville Rd. and Southpoint Crossing Dr. to downtown via the American Tobacco Trail. Also join the route at multiple "bus stops" along the way.


• Wednesday, May 18, 5 – 7pm
  - Cyclists Social
  Alivia's Durham Bistro, corner of Main and Gregson St.
  Cyclists enjoy free food and giveaways. Sponsored by Durham BPAC.


• Friday, May 20, 7 – 9am
  - Mad Biker's Breakfast
  Mad Hatter's Café, corner of Main and Broad St.
  Food and drink courtesy of Mad Hatter's. Free bike checks provided by Bicycle Chain mechanics.


• Saturday, May 21st, 4pm
  - Trinity Park Bike Workshop
  Food trucks, smoothies, bike checks, and prizes


• Sunday, May 22, 1 – 3pm
  - Durham Bikes to the Movies
  Casbah, 1007 W. Main St.
  Ride your bike to the show and enjoy a fun and funky program of bike-themed short films, both vintage and new. Hosted by Durham Cinematheque and AV Geeks. Sponsored by GoTriangle.


• Wednesday, May 25, 4 – 6pm
  - Duke University Bike Maintenance & Frame Engraving
  West Campus, hosted by Duke Parking and Transportation Services.

Raleigh

• Every Tuesday in May, departs Boylan Street Bridge @ 6pm Themed Rides
  www.boylanbridge.com
  - May 3, Take a lap around Lake Johnson
  - May 10, Oak Park and Back (intermediate skills preferred)
  - May 17, Alleyway tour of almost every residential alley in Raleigh
  - May 24, Wrinkles and Wridges: Ride as many hill crests for as long as possible.
  - May 31, No-Pedalathelon: Visit 5 sites around Raleigh in a downhill coasting competition.
  
  
• Saturday, May 7, 11am – Noon
  - Raffish* Ride at NCSU Bell Tower (NCSU Project Bikeway Page)
  Bring your feather boa or your blue suede shoes – or whatever you want to wear for this stylish ride from the Bell Tower to the Kick Off Event in Downtown Raleigh. Get dolled up for a group ride to the runway.
  *(adj.) displaying a charming, free-spirited disregard for the conventions of society or approved behavior.
  --> Click here to download a poster to help promote this event.


• Saturday, May 7, Noon – 3pm
  - Bike Month Kick-Off Event at City Plaza
  Join fellow cyclists as we kick off Bike Month with free bike checks by REI, bicycle safety stations for the whole family, materials & information on how to bike around Raleigh safely and efficiently. New this year is Project Bikeway, a bicycle commuter fashion show, created by NCSU. Free beverages provided by Vitamin Water.
  --> Sign up to have a free cycling or environmental info booth at the Kick-Off Event,


• Wednesday, May 18, 10am – 2pm
  - BTWW Safety Station
  City Plaza Farmers Market
  Learn bicycle safety and commuting tips.


• Wednesday, May 18, 6:15 pm
  - Tir Na Nog Ride
  Join in this informal ride with restaurant specials and cycle-related trivia after Bring all of your co-workers who biked to work today and join in on this informal ride. Show your helmet afterward for food specials, drinks, and prizes. Test your cycling knowledge during Team Trivia at 7:30pm. Those who join in on the ride will be eligible for a raffle and the employer who has the most representation at the ride will win an employee party at Tir Na Nog! Sponsors include Rush Hour Karting, Kinder Soles, and more...


• Friday, May 20, 7:30 – 10am
  - Got to Ride NC
  Join fellow cyclists to bring awareness to bicycling as a valid form of transportation by riding from the State Fairgrounds to the State Capital on National Bike to Work Day. The ride will start at the Fairgrounds and end at the Capitol. Registration required.
  --> Sign up to participate in Got to Ride NC – registration is necessary"

RTP – hosted by SmartCommute@RTP

• Tuesday, May 17, 5 – 7pm
  - BTWW After Hours Event
  Serena, 5311 South Miami Blvd., Suite A
  appetizers and drinks.


• Wednesday, May 18, 7pm
  - Annual Ride of Silence sponsored by M.S. Fits (www.rideofsilence.org)
  RTP Headquarters , 12 Davis Dr.


• Friday, May 20, 7 – 9am
  - BTWW Breakfast
  RTP Headquarters, 12 Davis Dr.
  continental breakfast, juice, water & coffee.

Wake Forest

• Sunday, May 22, 10am – 3pm
  - Wake Forest Bicycle Safety Fair, Wake Forest Town Hall Campus
  301 S. Brooks St. – use Taylor Street Entrance
  Teaching safe bicycle riding skills to children ages 5 – 14 & their parents. For more information, contact Candace Davis at 919.435.9513 or cdavis@wakeforestnc.gov


• Sunday, May 22, 8am – 5:30pm
  - Historic Downtown Wake Forest Criterium, Presented by The Raleigh All-Stars Cycling Team
  306 S. White St., downtown
  This community event promotes lifelong health and wellness through the sport of cycling, and benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Wake Forest.