Don’t Miss Spokane Bike to Work Week May 13-19
The month of May is bike everywhere month in many communities around the Inland Northwest, with events planned to encourage more people to get out on their bikes for commuting, running errands, or pedaling for fun with friends and family. In Spokane, the Spokane Bicycle Club organizes cycling activities all month long that are free and open to the public. Find the full event schedule and all of the details here and mark your calendar for these standout events. Note that helmets are required on all rides and bike locks are a must for many of the rides that include destinations.
May 1: Woolgathering Bike Ride (1 p.m.)
Ride 10 miles at a leisurely pace from the South Hill library to Liberty Park library and enjoy knitting, biking, and socializing. Check out the library’s newest offering of free yarn.
May 3: First Friday Gallery to Gallery Ride (6 p.m.)
Ride around 5 miles from Riverfront Park experiencing the growing number of bike lanes and bike racks and visit galleries in and adjacent to downtown.Â
May 5: Bloomsday Bike Corral Bike Parking (2 p.m.)
Ride your bike to Bloomsday and park it at the Spokane Bicycle Club’s free, secure bike corral parking area at Riverfront Park’s Big Red Wagon Meadow. Packs with food, water, clothing and biking gear can be left with bikes (subject to security inspection).
May 7: Latah Creek Trail Ride (6 p.m.)
Ride around 5 miles from the Sandifur Bridge parking lot to explore Latah Creek paths, Highbridge Park, and the quaint Vinegar Flats neighborhood and learn about trail plans for the area.
May 9: Perry Farmers’ Market & Neighborhood Bike Ride (6 p.m.)
Ride from Grant Park to this popular farmers’ market. Shop and then enjoy a 4-mile spin around the neighborhood.
May 11: Three Choose Your Distance & Pace Rides (8:15 a.m.)
Enjoy a coffee, then ride from Thomas Hammer Coffee (3173 S. Grand) on one of three ride distances/speeds in the 15–31-mile range.Â
May 12: Mothers’ Day Bike Ride & Tea Party (1 p.m.)
Ride from Riverfront Park on the Centennial Trail and on quiet streets to Central library’s prettiest meeting room for tea and snacks.
May 13-19: National Bike to Work Week
Ride to work all week knowing that thousands of other riders around the Northwest will be doing the same thing.
May 13: Pancake Breakfast in Riverfront Park (7-9 a.m.)
Enjoy free blueberry pancakes courtesy of the Spokane Bicycle Club and Roast House coffee with other riders celebrating Bike to Work Week (Riverfront Park’s North Picnic Shelter).
May 14: Southside Natural Areas Dirt Paths Ride (6 p.m.)
Ride 9 miles from Hazel’s Creek (42nd Ave and Ray St.) on a tour of five little-known South Hill natural areas, plus Ben Burr Trail.
May 15: Ride of Silence (6 p.m.)
Meet at Riverfront Park, next to Rotary fountain, for a silent procession to remember cyclists killed on the road in the downtown area. A short dedication will precede the ride. More info: Rideofsilence.org
May 17: National Bike to Work Day & Energizer Stations (7-9 a.m.)
Celebrate Bike to Work Day by riding to work and take advantage of free snacks, coffee and other goodies at energizer stations around the Spokane area.
May 17: Ride with Spokane’s Elected Leaders (12 p.m.)
Ride from Corbin Park with some of the folks who make key decisions about our biking infrastructure.
May 19: Bike Tour of Historic Neighborhoods (12 p.m.)
Ride from Liberty Park Library with Spokane Historic Preservation specialist Logan Camporeale on a tour of historic buildings in East Central and Rockwood areas. Leisurely pace with some climbing.
May 20: Spokane Bicycle Club Meeting (6 p.m.)
Meet at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and hear from Jami Hayes with the Spokane County Public Works department about Spokane County’s Bicycle Master Plan covering what they’ve done this past year, their goals, and next steps (public welcome).
May 21: Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board Mobile Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
Bike from Grant Park through the East Sprague/Ben Burr Trail area and provide feedback on new amenities (public welcome).
May 22: Kendall Yards Night Market & Neighborhood Bike Ride (6 p.m.)
Ride from Olmsted Park to the night market, then ride a 5-mile loop on the Centennial Trail and South Gorge Trail.
May 25: Roast House Coffee Shop Ride (8 a.m.)
Ride from Roast House headquarters to the Mason Jar in Cheney. More details online.
May 26: Lonely Picnic Table Ride (1 p.m.)
Ride from Ben Burr Park 12.7 miles on the trail and through eight parks on the South Hill. Stop for snacks at several underappreciated picnic tables.Â
May 28: Children of the Sun Ride (6 p.m.)
Ride 7 miles from the Columbia Ave & Market trailhead on the new trail and hear from Washington State Department of Transportation staff about the planned extension of the trail.
May 30: Bike Everywhere Wrap-up Party (5-7 p.m.)
Head to Manito Park’s north gazebo (17th & Grand) to celebrate the wrap up of bike everywhere month with pizza, dessert and drinks provided. Meet other participants and be there to win door prizes.
Find more info at the Spokane Bicycle Club website. Get out and ride!
