May is National Bike Month

Celebrating Bike Month 2025

News Published 3/27/2025 Updated 4/22/2025

National Bike Month is celebrated annually in communities from coast to coast. It is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — for work, fun or fitness — and to encourage more people to try it. Raleigh's free bike month events encourage riders, novice or experienced, to enjoy all that bicycling has to offer.

Commute Smart Raleigh is excited to celebrate cycling with the community! Head over to our Bike Month page for a full schedule of events and more information.

Historic Bike Ride with RHDC & BPAC

Saturday, May 3 (Rain Date if needed: May 10)
Nash Square Park 
10 a.m. to noon

May is Preservation Month and Bike Month! Hop on your bike for a ride into history. The Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC), in partnership with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) and Raleigh Sister Cities, is hosting the 2^nd annual Raleigh Historic Bike Ride.  This year, the 4-mile route includes five stops at sites identified in our recently completed LGBTQIA+ Historic Context Study! RHDC volunteers at each site will share a brief history of the property. The stops include:

Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel (400 Fayetteville St.)

Cameron Court Apartments (905 Hillsborough St.)

Women’s Culture Collective Coffeehouse (119 Hawthorne Rd.)

Pullen Memorial Baptist Church (1805 Hillsborough St.)

Legends Nightclub (330 W. Hargett St.)

Register for the event!

Come Prepared:

The ride will begin and end at the northwest corner of Nash Square Park. Riders are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets. Free Cardinal Share e-bikes will also be available. Water and restrooms are not provided before/after the ride or along the route - please plan accordingly.

While the ride route prioritizes bike-friendly streets, there are several hills along the way. QR codes to a digital route map and group bike leads and sweeps will help ensure everyone bikes safely along the route.

See the mobile history tour with information about each stop on raleighhistoric.org. Check back here before May 3 for further details.

National Bike & Roll To School

Wednesday, May 7

National Bike & Roll to School is May 8! Our friends at Oaks and Spokes, in partnership with Safe Routes to School Wake County, offers FREE planning services to Raleigh schools to participate. Please reach out for help by emailing info@oakandspokes.com. Wake County Schools who register early can get free prize kits! Register today online.

Bike Bonanza

Friday, May 9
Pullen Park
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Visit Pullen Park on Friday, May 9 as we kick off Bike Month! Music, bicycle advocates, safety checks, a bike decoration station, AAA of the Carolinas, and a photo booth will all be part of this free family-friendly event. We hope to see you there!

Vendors include:
•    AAA of the Carolinas - Free bike helmets
•    The Bicycle Chain – Free e-bike demo rides
•    City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Outdoor Recreation – Learn about opportunities to get outdoors in Raleigh this spring and summer
•    City of Raleigh Bicycle and Pedestrian – Learn about new bike-focused projects in Raleigh

And more!

Bike to Work Day Pit Stops

Thursday, May 15
Morning session 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.; afternoon session 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Ride to one or more pit stops on Thursday, May 15 for bike swag, snacks, and fun! If your business is interested in having a pit stop location, please fill out this form.