Salina, KS – May is National and Kansas Bike Month, a time to celebrate the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to give it a try. Whether you’re a daily commuter, a weekend rider, or just dusting off your bike for the first time in a while, there’s no better time to get rolling.
Why Bike Month? First established in 1956 and promoted nationally by the League of American Bicyclists, Bike Month is recognized across the country and right here in Kansas. Biking supports healthier communities, cleaner air, and more connected neighborhoods—and it’s fun!
There are lots of ways to participate in Bike Month, locally, regionally and nationally. Some dates to celebrate are:
- May 4 – National Ride a Bike Day. Everyone is encouraged to #bikethere on this day. Whether you’re riding for fun, fitness or with family, or taking essential trips to work or shop, you are part of our movement for safer streets, connected communities, a healthier planet, and happier people.
- May 7 – National/Kansas Bike to School Day. This day invites participants to celebrate the joy of active commuting while building a sense of community and school spirit. Find out more at walkbiketoschool.org or saferoutes.ksdot.gov/btsd for participating schools.
- May 16 – National Bike to Work Day – 40% of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles, making bicycling a feasible and fun way to get around. Residents all across the region are encouraged to ride their bike to work and to share photos on social media by using the hashtag #salinabikestowork2025 or #kansasbikestowork2025
Other local events with details can be found on www.ksrides.org and include:
- Free rides on KANcycle for the entire month of May including locations in Salina, Minneapolis, Concordia, Belleville, Mankato, Beloit, Lincoln, Ellsworth, Lindsborg and Coffeyville.
- Clyde Bike Rodeo happening on May 31st at 8:30 a.m. at the school parking lot.
- Jamestown Bike Rodeo happening on May 17th at 8:30 a.m at 311 Walnut.
- Miltonvale Bike Rodeo happening on May 3rd at 8:30 a.m. at the Ride on Bike Shop.
- Salina Bike Rodeo happening on May 10th from 3-5 p.m. at the City Lights Stage. Registration is through the Salina Parks and Recreation Department.
- The Salina Noon Network Ambucs will give away many Amtrykes to qualified individuals during the month of May.
- Slow Saturday Social Rides are held in Salina each Saturday morning in May (3, 10, 17, 24, 31) meeting at Sunflower Bank Parking lot, 176 N. Santa Fe at 9:00 a.m.
- The Salina Public Library will have a Bike Month book display in the Youth Services Department from May 2-12.
- Bike/Hike the Park is happening at Lakewood Park on Saturday May 17th from 10 am to noon. Guests are encouraged to explore the park and the Discovery Center.
“Bike Month is a reminder that even small changes, like choosing to ride a bike, can lead to big benefits for our health, our community, and our environment,” said Michelle Coats, Director of Mobility Management for North Central Kansas. “Whether it’s to work, to school, or just around the block, every ride counts.”
KANcycle regional bike sharing provides North Central Kansas, including Salina, Minneapolis, Concordia, Belleville, Mankato, Beloit, Lincoln, Ellsworth, Lindsborg, and Coffeyville, with convenient, affordable access to bicycles as an easy, fun, healthy and eco-friendly means of transportation and recreation. OCCK, through a collaborative funding partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, brings you KANcycle powered by Movatic. Riders join the program by signing up for annual memberships or pay-as-you-go. Annual memberships will be $30 with trips under 1 hour being free, student annual memberships will be $20 with trips under 1 hour being free, and pay-as-you-go will be $1.50 every 30 minutes.
OCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives. OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer’s supports, autism services, assistive technology, children’s services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.
OCCK is committed to providing transportation services to the general public, seniors, and persons with disabilities, through a variety of programs, including a fixed route service in Salina, CityGo, a regional paratransit service that serves fourteen counties, non emergency medical transportation for people with Medicaid, as well as non emergency medical transportation for clients of Salina Regional Health Center, a regional fixed route service, 81 Connection, KANcycle – the regional bike sharing program, GoAbilene public transportation, GoConcordia public transportation, KanConnect regional fixed route, and the newest program, OCCK OnDemand.
For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit www.occk.com. For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit www.salinacitygo.com. Or, contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.
For more information about KANcycle, rural bike sharing, visit www.kancycle.org.
For more information about Bike Month activities across the state of Kansas and Kansas Mobility Management, visit www.ksrides.org.