It’s been 10 years since Governor Terry McAuliffe formally recognized May as Bike Month in Virginia—so we did it BIG this year to celebrate.
And for the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, it marks 10 years of bike month, 10 years (well, actually 42 years 😜) of expanding opportunities to ride, walk, and move through our community with joy, connection, and freedom. Ten years of trails in the Valley. Ten years of the events you love—and the people you love even more to share them with.
🚲 How we Celebrated Bike Month
- Klines First Friday Ice Cream Ride (Harrisonburg): A long-standing tradition to kick off Bike Month on the streets, with friends and family, blasting music and having a heck-of-a fun time before hanging out on a warm spring evening enjoying a cone of your favorite ice cream. “It was cool to bike in a big group,” [Adam] Shank said. “Having a big group is motivating. Going to bike around downtown feels a lot safer.” (DNR)
- Hillandale Bike Rodeo: Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation collaborated with the Scouts of America, the Police and Fire Departments, and Shenandoah Bicycle Company to ensure everyone was rolling right, learning, and playing in the park.
- Adult Learn to Ride Lessons: We were really excited about adding this new event. However, turned out to be a flop. The two participants who signed up couldn’t make it, so we cancelled. I would love to hear how to do this one better in the future! Hey, and if you are interested in volunteering…even better!
- Elkon Ice Cream Ride: Feedback we’ve received this past year is…”more events outside of Harrisonburg!“, so.. Putt Putt Ice Cream and the Mayor of Elkton, Josh Gooden, joined us for a family-friendly townie ride. It was lovely to try an event in a new town! Where should we go next!?
- Bike and Roll to School Day: More than 2,246 Bike & Roll events took place across 44 states on May 7th, so it was exciting to see how Harrisonburg was part of this larger celebration. There were 17 biking/walking routes led by staff throughout the City of Harrisonburg, totaling over 200 students who actively participated in the morning. Three schools were also walking the track…meaning we connected with over 1000 students through active movement while raising awareness about safe walking and biking practices! Thanks to Andrea Troyer with Harrisonburg Safe Routes to School for taking this up a level in 2025
- DIY Bike Clinic: Whatta hit! We brought this one back after last year’s outstanding feedback. With the Friendly City Food Co-op, we learned from Ben Wyse and Thomas Jenkins on all things bike. They gave a masterclass on bike maintenance, answered all the questions, and an unexpected bonus was the personal help they offered to everyone on their bike. It’s clear why these two are such legends!
- Bike Anywhere Day: Formerly “Bike to Work Day”, we gathered at Court Square with Chestnut Ridge Coffee, J’s Bagels, and plenty of breakfast fruits and treats to greet the day the best way we know how – on our bikes, the sun shining on our face, and chatting it up with our pals. We were joined by Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation (our whole Bike Month-long partner), Bluestone Bike and Run, Mole Hill, Lauf, Park View Credit Union, and Virginia Clean Cities.
- Ride of Noise: We rounded the month with a new take on a 25-year-old tradition. Instead of riding in silence this year, we dedicated this ride to everyone whose life has been taken by a driver of a vehicle while riding, by making noise. Jules shared some powerful words before we rolled out from Court Square with JOY, in honor of her brother, Felix, who was killed last June.
Bonus Bike Month moments…
- Women’s Weekly MTB Rides: Every Monday a highly-anticipated ride is led by Coalition volunteers, Leigh Evans and Terri Sexton. This crew has introduced many women to the Western Slope and continues to spread the love of riding each week.
- Weekly Trail Work Parties and Big Dig Day: Volunteers got their hands dirty maintaining and improving the Western Slope singletrack that makes our region a mountain biking destination. These trails don’t build themselves, and the massive turnout of our culminating seasonal BIG digging day showed the power in numbers.
- Bikes for Neighbors Collaboration w/ SLAQ: As part of the Newcomer Program to guide recent immigrant and refugee middle schoolers in the outdoors…Ben Wyse got these kids on BIKES! They made lasting friendships and integrated into the community. The bike is the bridge to connect us, socially and physically, and while it’s one small part of their journey, we can only hope the bike opens up doors to create a lasting positive experience for them
- Bike Month Challenge: We created a well-rounded experience-focused BINGO card to inspire your Bike Month adventures. You logged thousands of miles and shared the stoke with us!
💬 Why It Matters…
Bike Month isn’t just about bicycles—it’s about building a better future. It’s about kids getting to school safely, neighbors conversing on the trails, and streets designed for people—not just cars.
And all of this is only possible because people like you believe in the power of a bike (and trails!).
❤️ Thank You
To the Coalition: friends, volunteers, partners, local leaders, teachers, families, and businesses who showed up this year—we’re endlessly grateful.
🔜 What’s Next?
Let’s keep it rolling:
- Join our upcoming Summer Ice Cream Ride Series
- Volunteer at a trail work day
- Buy a raffle ticket
- Share your story with us!
💥 And if you believe in this work, help us keep it going.
Everything we celebrate during Bike Month—safer streets, thriving trails, kids getting their first bike, neighbors riding together—it’s only possible because people like you care enough to show up and give.
This work doesn’t just happen. It’s built, ride by ride, with each donation, by a community that believes everyone deserves the freedom and fun of two wheels.
Be part of shaping the next 10 years.
Make a gift today. Help us keep this momentum alive—on every street, every trail, and in every neighborhood.
Here’s to the next 10 years—and the miles still to come!
