There are a lot of things to get excited about in May: flowers opening, trees leafing, sun shining… oh yeah, and bike riding! May is National Bike Month, a time to celebrate our bikes and all they do for us. Whether you are a seasoned commuter, a racer, a casual path spinner, or are picking up a bike for the first time, this is a time to spread the joy of cycling.
This month, we ask you to challenge yourself by riding more. That could mean using your bike to get to work or run an errand, changing up your normal ride type (dust off that old MTB or road bike!), or inviting a group of friends to go on a ride together.
Find inspiration below, as well as a calendar chock full of exciting events.
Celebrate with Local Motion
Beyond National Bike Month, May offers two huge days for us here at Local Motion: the season opening days for both our Trailside Center and Bike Ferry!
The Local Motion Trailside Center opened up on May 4th for daily bike rentals. Bike rentals are available for both kids and adults, with a few different bike styles, including e-bikes.
The Island Line Bike Ferry opens up May 24th with spring hours, operating Friday thru Sunday (as well as Memorial Day, May 27th). The ferry runs throughout the day, no reservations needed!
Inspiration for your Bike Commute
Explore the ways that riding a bike can positively impact your day. Take inspiration from our friend Thomas in Shelburne, a 7th grader who has been commuting to school on bike for several years. His words should be a reminder to all of us about the real benefits of biking: a quiet moment in fresh air, uninterrupted time to be with friends, lessening our impact on the environment, and freedom of controlling your own travel.
Upcoming Local Motion Events
May 4 - Trailside Center opening day
May 5 - National Ride a Bike Day
May 5 - Shelburne Village Walk and Roll
May 8 - Walk, Ride, and Roll to School Day
May 13-19 - Bike to Work Week
May 17 - Bike to Work Day
May 18 - 9th Annual Richard’s Ride in Richmond
May 24 - Bike Ferry Opening Day ride
May 28 - EZ Breezy Sunset Chasers Bike Ride
Keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook stories for even more exciting local events. There are many ways to celebrate bikes this month!
Celebrate our 25th Anniversary!
Since 1999, Local Motion has been working to make it safe, accessible, and fun for everyone to bike, walk and roll in Vermont. We want to celebrate this big milestone with all of you, in three big ways!
Join us on August 11, 2024 for our Quarter Century Ride! We will have two ride options between Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero and the Local Motion HQ in Burlington - one northbound, one southbound.
Join us again on September 4, 2024 for our Anniversary Celebration! We will host a party at the Community Sailing Center in Burlington.
Finally, we invite you to collaborate with us on our goal to reach 25 Walks, Rides, or Rolls! We want to celebrate and recognize the advances that have been made to Vermont's bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure over the last quarter century. We'd love to coordinate with you in creating a casual walk, ride, or roll to showcase your city/town. This event could be an opportunity to showcase a specific improvement in your city/town infrastructure, or to highlight a future or desired project. We can invite your municipal leaders, elected officials, and citizen advocates to celebrate. OR, this could simply be an event to celebrate the general joy of walking, riding, or rolling within your community!
Use the sign up above to select a Friday slot when Local Motion’s Executive Director, Christina Erickson, can join you. Other dates are possible, especially if you have a pre-planned event this can align with. Please contact [email protected] with your questions and suggestions.
Join our team!
We currently have a full-time opening in our Complete Streets Program. Help make our Vermont communities better places to walk, bike, roll, and live! Join Local Motion's team with this multidisciplinary role focused on working with local walk/bike groups, municipalities, and schools to improve active transportation infrastructure and policy. You'll also encourage walking, biking, and rolling to school through work on Local Motion's Safe Routes to School program.
Help the CCRPC with a quick survey
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) is looking for community input on many important topics: housing, climate, energy, land use, and more, to help inform their goals and priorities for the next eight years. Take this quick (5-10 minute) survey below to give feedback for your town. And, be entered into a raffle for a $50 Visa gift card!
Welcome to three new faces on the Local Motion team:
Val Cyr - Communications Specialist
David Moore - Trailside Center Manager
Dave Folkman - Finance Manager