Festivities include an exciting lineup of events to engage communities with all the ways that people bike
SPRINGFIELD – This Spring, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is thrilled to announce the 25th annual Bay State Bike Month, a celebration of bicycling in the counties of Hampden and Hampshire. A series of engaging events are planned for late April through early June, aiming to boost community engagement, connect the public with the surrounding environment, and promote healthy lifestyles. PVPC collaborates with MassBike, MassDOT, and local coordinators to galvanize the energy of our communities by promoting events in the media, recruiting citizen volunteers, and encouraging the participation of local businesses.
This landmark 25th year of the state-wide initiative underlines the enduring commitment of the PVPC to promote bicycling as a sustainable mode of transportation. Inaugurated under MassDOT’s direction, Bay State Bike Month is a great time for commuters, explorers, and leisurely strollers alike to hop on a bike and embrace the freedom and benefits of cycling. Over recent years, MassBike has taken a leading role and become a pivotal organizer, maintaining a comprehensive website that lists local events and encourages event hosts throughout the state to post their event happenings. MassBike’s www.massbike.org/massachusetts-bike-friendly-events-calendar is participants’ one-stop shop to find bike events of interest during the month.
Kimberly H. Robinson, Executive Director of PVPC, expressed enthusiasm about the anniversary, noting, “Celebrating 25 years of Bay State Bike Month is about honoring the past while also looking forward to the future of bicycling in our community. We are proud to see how this event has grown and invite everyone to join us again this year to pedal together towards a healthier and more connected region.”
Bay State Bike Month’s 2024 celebrations include a variety of events designed to engage all levels of cyclists and foster a supportive biking community. Events are hosted by partners throughout the region and sponsored by local food businesses, such as River Valley Market, and Tandem Bagel. Younger residents can look forward to the “Walk_Roll_Stroll to School Day,” made possible by a collaboration with MassDOT’s Safe Routes to School. Additionally, bike rodeos, a vibrant mural ride through Springfield, and various self-guided activities will provide flexible and enjoyable options for everyone to participate at their own pace. Below is the full list of events planned for this year’s celebration with additional information about each event:
- Westfield: Earth Day Clean-Up (Saturday, April 27 at 8:00AM)
- Northampton: City-Wide Trail Cleanup (Saturday, April 27 at 9:00AM)
- Northampton: Bike Commuting 101 (Monday, April 29 from 6:00PM-7:00PM)
- Massachusetts Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day (Wednesday, May 1)
- National Ride a Bike Day (Sunday, May 5)
- Bike to Work Week (Monday, May 13 – Sunday, May 19)
- Bike to Work Day (Friday, May 17)
- Greenfield: Franklin County 2024 Bike Breakfast (Tuesday, May 14)
- Northampton: Bike Repair Clinic (Tuesday, May 14)
- Northampton: Community Bike Breakfast (Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30AM)
- Northampton: Friends of Northampton Trails Bike Party (Thursday, May 16 at 6:00PM)
- Springfield: Free Bike Valet at the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast (Saturday, May 19)
- Springfield: Walk Bike Springfield’s Third Annual Mural Ride (Sunday, May 19 at 1:00 PM)
- Westfield: Mayor’s Bike Ride 2024 (Wednesday, May 22)
- Amherst: Wednesday Night Rides – Hampshire Bicycle Exchange [Wednesday (Bi-monthly) at 6:00PM)
PVPC posts events to its Website and on Facebook and X (Formally known as Twitter) to allow connected individuals and organizations to spread the word about various bike events.
“Bike-to-Work Day,” and, later, “Bike Commute Week,” have been recognized nationally since 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists. In 1999, MassDOT initiated a more encompassing “Bay State Bike Month” with a desire to recognize all aspects of the contributions and potential of bicycling. This tradition continues today, celebrating biking not only as a means of transportation but as a way to connect with the world around us, stay active, and contribute to a healthier planet.
Detailed in the 2023 PVPC Bay State Bike Month Report, last year marked another successful Bay State Bike Month. PVPC collaborated with local municipalities, advocacy groups, and businesses to feature an array of community events that highlighted the importance of bicycling in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Notable activities ranged from the introduction of recreational road riding in Hatfield to the spirited Mayoral Bike Ride in Holyoke. The campaign succeeded in amplifying public engagement, with events like the 4th Annual Great Tree Bike Tour and the dynamic Northampton Art Wall highlighting the communities’ spirit. This strong foundation of community involvement and varied programming sets a robust stage for this year’s celebrations in 2024.