This May, due to the current physical distancing limitations, celebrating National Bike Month looked a little different than usual. To commemorate the last week of National Bike Month, here are some ways you can still take part safely:
Go for a ride - solo! Take a photo and share it on social media and show the world that #BikesUnite
Take a picture of yourself and your bike
Challenge your friends to a photo contest - who can take the best photo of their bike leaning next to a tree?
Make a scavenger hunt in your community and help people discover local sights
Take a selfie in front of your favorite small businesses to show support
Join the National Bike Challenge to log your miles and see how people are across the country are united by biking
Connect with League member state and local advocacy groups, bike clubs, and local bike shops to discover virtual events in your area using this map
If you have the ability, consider supporting your local bicycle advocacy organization and Bicycle Friendly Businesses in your community (make a purchase, buy a gift card)
Don't forget to share how you're celebrating with us at Open Roads! You can find more information regarding National Bike Month at the League of American Bicyclists website.
Skills for Safe Bicycling for Ages 5-18
With the weather getting warmer and more people getting out on bikes, it's important to learn and teach safety skills to keep cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers safe. Bicycle Safer Journey provides three videos for youth 5-18 and their guardians to teach skills everyone needs for safe cycling.
If you're interested in more education and safety resources, Bike Friendly Kalamazoo provides a comprehensive page for programs and individuals.
What Does Advocacy Mean to You?
At the heart of our mission at Open Roads is empowering and advocating for youth voice. In this video by Destiné Price, Youth Advocacy Consultant at KYD Network, she encourages us to think about advocacy and what it means to us. This resource was created as part of her Youth Advocacy Toolkit which acts as a guide for youth voice & youth action and will give Kalamazoo youth the opportunity to use and create tangible resources for change in their community. Young folks 21 and under are encouraged to participate in the Advocacy Submission Raffle to win $15! See below for more details.
1. Donate! You can either write a check made out to Open Roads Bike Program and mail it to 1523 Riverview Dr. Suite B Kalamazoo, MI 49004, OR donate online below:
3. Become a Sponsor: Every year a handful of local businesses sign-up as year-round sponsors of the program. If you think your place of business might be interested in investing in youth development through bikes in 2020, let us know!
