Strap On Your Helmet! FREE 2015 Bike Planning Map Plus a List of May Bicycling Events
Put some air in your tires and strap on your helmet because May is National Bike Month, and Kane County is promoting it with a bunch of free, downloadable materials on Fox Valley bicycling and encouraging participation in Friday’s National Bike to Work Day.
Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to give biking a try.
The communities in Kane County have made great strides in providing and improving opportunities for biking in our area. The South Elgin Bike & Pedestrian Plan recently won the Congress for the New Urbanism-Illinois’ Region: Metropolis, City and Town Award, in 2013 the city of Batavia received the bronze level designation of Bike Friendly Community and two Kane County bike paths made TrailLink’s list of Top U.S Trails.
Want to get started exploring Kane County via bicycle? Check out available routes on the Kane County Bike Map and visit the Bicycle and Pedestrian Information page from the Kane/Kendall Council of Mayors. Or, take part in some of the many bike-related activities being offered in May:
May 14: Trails Linking Communities Spring Meeting — learn about the Fox River Trail Signage Program, Elgin Bike Route 1, Area Mountain Biking, and more at The Centre of Elgin at 10 a.m. A Fox River Trail bike ride follows the meeting.
May 15: National Bike to Work Day — Don’t forget to follow these tips if you are commuting by bike on this day.
May 16: Elgin Cycling Classic — See a full day of bike racing starting at 8 a.m.
May 30: Bike and Bites — Enjoy cycling activities, food, crafts and more at the Elgin Riverside Promenade from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
May to September: The National Bike Challenge — Join this nationwide event to track your miles traveled.
Bike Month is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, an organization serving as the voice for 57 million bicyclists across the county and working to create safer roads, stronger communities, and a bicycle-friendly America.
According to the 2013 report from The League of American Bicyclists Where We Ride: Analysis of Bicycle Commuting in American Cities, there has been a 45 percent increase in commuting by bike in Illinois since 2005. More than 17,000 people now commute by bicycle in Chicago and that number continues to grow as more roads and businesses become even more bike-friendly and people become more aware of the many benefits of bike commuting.
Of course, bikes are great for more than just getting to and from work. National Bike Month celebrates biking for all reasons — transportation, fitness, environmental benefits, family togetherness and fun.
Due to the somewhat unpredictable weather in the Chicago region, Kane County celebrates Chicago Bike Week on June 12-19, a little later in the year than National Bike Week — so check back for more biking information and great events next month!
SOURCE: Kane County Environmental and Water Resources Division
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Note: This article was co-written by Cecilia Govrik of the Kane County Environmental and Water Resources Division and Patrick Knapp from the Kane County Division of Transportation.
