Get inspired for Bike Month in May
For many people who love to bike, winter is the perfect season to dream up new ways to get more riders in the saddle.
If you enjoy planning events that encourage others to discover the joy of biking, May’s Bike Month is the ideal time to bring your ideas to life.
Throughout Bike Month, passionate grassroots organizations and local municipalities across our region host community rides, skill-building workshops, bike rodeos, and countless other bike-oriented activities.
To support these local efforts, the Active Transportation Alliance offers small stipends that help strengthen and expand Bike Month events — as well as sustain biking initiatives that carry on through the summer and fall.
Each year, we’re inspired by the lasting impact these community-driven events create.
So, if you’re looking for ideas for bike-related events to organize in your community in 2026, look no further. Here are some of the events we helped launch in 2025.
SOUTHSIDE CRITICAL MASS: WEAR ORANGE FOR GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS RIDE
Southside Critical Mass Chicago hosted its annual Wear Orange for Gun Violence Awareness Ride, honoring Hadiya Pendleton and all those harmed by gun violence (see top photo).
The event was joined by community members including Hadiya Pendleton’s mother as they rode to Hadiya Pendleton Park and stopped at Rahmaan Statik’s mural.
The celebration continued with food and music, ending the day with a strong sense of purpose, unity, and remembrance.
GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY COUNCIL: BIKE REPAIR & SAFETY WORKSHOP
The Garfield Park Community Council hosted a bike repair and safety workshop that drew over a dozen residents. The event focused on minor repairs, maintenance tips, hands-on learning, and offered giveaway items.
46TH WARD NEIGHBORS UNITED: UPTOWN HISTORY BIKE TOUR
The Uptown History Bike Tour drew more than 50 participants who celebrated Bike Month with a community bike ride. The event, organized by 46th Ward Neighbors United, highlighted neighborhood history — including the Buena Park Peace Circle — with speeches from local leaders, community groups, and longtime Uptown residents.
LATINO OUTDOORS & BLACKSTONE BICYCLE WORKS: BIKE RODEO
Latino Outdoors hosted a fun, hands-on bike rodeo focused on bike safety and riding skills. With support from Blackstone Bicycle Works, Chicago SAFE Ambassadors, Femmes and Thems Bike Chi, and Out Our Front Door, participants navigated obstacle courses to practice braking, signaling, and maneuvering through tight spaces. Snacks and raffle prizes, including a bike and helmets, were given away. Check out their Instagram Reel.
PARK RIDGE CYCLING: BUSSE ROAD CELEBRATION RIDE
The Park Ridge Cycling group celebrated the completion of the Busse Highway Road Diet with a family-friendly bike ride and raffle of bike lights and bicycle gear.
The ride attracted over 40 participants and highlighted the benefits the new bike lanes bring to the city’s mobility and safety.
RIDE RIVERSIDE: SLOW ROLL
Ride Riverside hosted a special Bike Month Slow Roll featuring neon t-shirts and reflective sticker giveaways.
Nearly 100 people joined, from young children on their first two-wheelers to older adults from a nearby assisted living facility riding along in cargo bikes. The event brought together riders of all ages and abilities to celebrate community and safe biking
HIGHLAND PARK: EMPIRE BIKES BACK RIDE
The Park District of Highland Park organized a Star Wars-themed event that drew more than 50 participants and featured a neighborhood ride. The event featured fun activities like a decorating station, a photo booth, a prize drawing, visits from the local police and bike shop, plus staff members dressed as stormtroopers. Bike reflectors were given to all.
BIKE WALK NILES: LEANING TOWER RIDE
About 40 cyclists gathered in the Village of Niles for coffee, pastries, bike checks, and a family-friendly community ride.
The ride highlighted new pedestrian infrastructure and recently-installed protected bike lanes before ending with a rare climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Niles.
Bike Walk Niles hosted the event, with support from the Village of Niles and local police.
WE GO TOGETHER FOR KIDS: WEST CHICAGO BIKE RODEO
We Go Together for Kids hosted a bike rodeo in the City of West Chicago for over 75 kids, as well as adults and parents.
Community partners shared resources with families, a local bike shop provided tune-ups, Northwestern Medicine distributed free helmets and fittings, and the local police department registered bikes.
BENSENVILLE: BIKE SAFETY WORKSHOP
The Village of Bensenville hosted a community-wide Bike Safety Workshop, bringing together local partners to teach youth safe biking practices and promote active transportation. Thanks to the Bensenville Youth Coalition, several children rode away with brand new bikes!
STREETS CALLING: SEASON KICK-OFF RIDE
Streets Calling celebrated Bike Month with its season kick-off ride, a tradition that has taken place each year since 2020. Offering entertainment, DJ music, giveaways, and prizes, this year’s event drew a large crowd with over 100 riders — check out their reel on Instagram.
BLACK TRANSPORT PROJECT: SUMMER 2025 GIVEAWAY
Black Transport Project (BTP) collaborated with Working Bikes to host its “Summer 2025 Giveaway.” The event was an opportunity for Black Queer, Trans, and Gender Non-Conforming (QTGNC) residents of Chicago to receive bikes, helmets, locks, lights, and bells completely free of charge, ensuring that each recipient has the opportunity to share the road with safety and security. Check out event photos and reels on Instagram.
DA SPACE 3-PART BIKE SERIES
Da Space partnered with Connected Fitness to host a three-part Bike Series in Little Village, offering an adult learn-to-ride class with a bike raffle, a fix-a-flat maintenance workshop, and a community bike ride. Participants received free tools, bike pumps and other resources, as well as safety checks and bike maps.
CREATE YOUR OWN BIKE MONTH EVENT
Want some more inspiration? If you’re part of a group that is thinking of organizing a bike-related event during Chicago Bike Month, you might be inspired by reading through this extensive list of event ideas.
Here’s a list of Bike Month activities we helped launch in 2024 and 2023.