SPRINGFIELD, MA – May is National Bike Month, and in the Pioneer Valley, the tradition of celebrating with a full calendar of bike-friendly events and activities continues in full force. Each year, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) joins forces with local governments, bike shops, advocacy organizations, and community partners to encourage residents of all ages and abilities to get outside and ride.
What began as a small-scale Bike Commute Week years ago has grown into a month-long celebration of bicycling – a reflection of the region’s growing enthusiasm for biking and its commitment to healthy, sustainable transportation.
Throughout May, PVPC and its partners will support and promote community rides, bike breakfasts, safety workshops, and other fun, inclusive events across the Valley. These events offer opportunities for individuals and families to explore their communities on two wheels, connect with fellow riders, and learn more about how biking can become part of daily life.
The celebration coincides with the ongoing 2025 update to the Pioneer Valley Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, which outlines the current state of walking and biking infrastructure across the region’s 43 cities and towns. More importantly, the plan identifies both policy recommendations and infrastructure projects that local governments, advocacy groups, and residents can collaborate on to make the region safer and more accessible for active transportation. PVPC remains committed to working with communities to turn the goals of the plan into action – and National Bike Month is a celebration of that work in motion.
PVPC invites community members, municipal officials, and advocacy organizations to participate in Bike Month by attending a variety of upcoming local events. A detailed full schedule of all events is available on our website at this link: https://www.pvpc.org/content/may-bay-state-bike-commute-month Here is a summary of the first week:
- Westfield: Bike Commuting 101, Monday May 5 at 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Westfield Athenaeum
- East Longmeadow: Multi-Level Group Rides, Monday May 5 at 5:30 PM, Competitive Edge Shop
- East Longmeadow: Ladies Road Ride, Wednesday May 7 at 5:30 PM, Competitive Edge Shop
- Springfield: Finish the Rail Trail Presentation, Thursday May 8 at 12:15-1:30 PM, The Museums
- Amherst: Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Public Engagement Table, Saturday May 10 at 10 AM- 4PM, Sustainability Festival at the Town Commons
- Northampton: Birding By Bike, Saturday May 10 at 10 AM -12 PM, Veterans Field
- Northampton: (DYI) Bike Fixing Bike Lab, Saturday May 10 at 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Northern Ave