Dear <<First Name>>,
May is National Bike Month and we’re celebrating by encouraging everyone to bike and experience the power of bicycles to connect communities. Although the traditional Bike to Work Day event won’t take place this year, there are still plenty of ways to participate and have fun this May. Be sure to check out our bicycling resources page to prepare.
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Participate in Bike Month
Anyone who lives or works in San Mateo County and logs their bicycle trips to wherever (work, exercise, errands, etc.) on the STAR Platform will be automatically entered into weekly raffle drawings. This promotion runs May 1 through May 31, and four lucky winners will be randomly picked each week to win the following prizes:
- bike tire pump & accessories
- handlebar bag
- bike tool pouch
- bike lights & water bottle
Don’t forget to document your rides! Take some pictures while you’re out with your bicycle and share them with us on social media by mentioning @smcountycommute and using the hashtag #BTWD.
For those who collect Bike to Work Day bags, fear not. We’re still distributing the popular canvas bags to keep the tradition alive. To pick one up, visit a bike shop near you or (if you live in/near Santa Clara County) swing by an Energizer Station on May 21 – Bike to Wherever Day – after pledging to ride. You can also pick up a bag during Bike to Your Library Day on May 22 or Bike to Your Farmers Market Days. Get your bag while supplies last!
Pledge to ride with our partner, SVBC, during Bike Month for an extra chance to win prizes.
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Bike to Your Library Day
Join us for the 2nd annual Bike to Your Library Day! On May 22, go for a ride on your bicycle to a participating library branch to pick up a Bike Month bag.
The following libraries will be participating on Saturday, May 22 from 11 AM until supplies last:
- Atherton – 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane
- Belmont – 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
- Brisbane – 250 Visitacion Ave.
- Burlingame – 480 Primrose Rd.
- East Palo Alto – 2415 University Ave.
- Foster City – 1000 East Hillsdale Blvd.
- Half Moon Bay – 620 Correas St.
- Millbrae – 1 Library Ave.
- North Fair Oaks – 2510 Middlefield Rd.
- Pacifica – 1111 Terra Nova Blvd.
- Pacifica – 104 Hilton Way
- Portola Valley – 765 Portola Rd.
- Redwood City – 1044 Middlefield Rd.
- San Carlos – 610 Elm St.
- South San Francisco – 840 West Orange Ave.
- Woodside – 3140 Woodside Rd.
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Bike to Your Farmers’ Market Days
Hop on your bike and ride to a farmers’ market near you. Pick up a Bike Month bag at the information booth to use while you shop for seasonal produce and other goods.
- Sunday, May 16, 9am – 1pm: Belmont Farmers’ Market (Belmont Caltrain Station parking lot)
- Tuesday, May 18, 3 – 7pm: San Mateo Farmers’ Market (194 W 25th Ave. San Mateo)
- Thursdays in May, 3 – 7pm: Brisbane Farmers’ Market (11 Old County Road)
- Wednesdays 3 – 7pm & Saturdays 9am -1pm in May: Foster City Farmers’ Market (1010 Metro Center Blvd.)
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Introducing San Mateo County's Bike Champion of the Year,
Sonia E.!
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BCOY winner, Sonia, with her children.
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Sonia, an avid bicyclist and founder of the advocacy group San Carlos Bikes, is San Mateo County’s 2021 Bike Champion of the Year. Referred to as “the voice for bicyclists in San Carlos”, she is constantly working to improve the state of biking in San Carlos and increase the number of people who bicycle for their health and our environment.
“Biking is one of the few activities that checks all the boxes at once—it’s active, practical, social, sustainable, stress-relieving, fun, and is a great family activity. Biking has the unique ability to elevate the mundane—it turns errands into adventures. More people on bikes keeps our streets safer, our air cleaner and our communities better connected.”
Sonia’s commitment to riding her bike and inspiring others to do the same has earned her this recognition. Congratulations, Sonia!
Learn more about Sonia and the Bay Area's other Bike Champions of the Year here.
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Connect STAR to Strava
Automatically log your bike trips by connecting your STAR account to Strava.
Steps:
- Login to your STAR account and go to "my opportunities" on the dashboard. Click on "use a connected app"
- Click on "Connect with Strava"
- Login if you have an existing Strava account
- Create a Strava account if you are a new user. (pro tip: use the same email address associated with your STAR account)
- Go to your email and find the email sent from Strava. Click on "Confirm email"
- Make your preference "All Trips" and click on "Update Strava options"
(Note: the automatic recording of "all trips" is only accepted in May 2021 to account for Bike Month activities)
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Bikepool through STAR
Bikepooling is perfect for cyclists of all experience levels who want to enjoy the many benefits of riding to work. Bikepools are similar to carpools and rideshares in the way they’re structured: one or more people take a leadership role, encouraging others to join and ride along with the group. They are ideal for sharing community knowledge, discovering scenic and interesting routes. They’re also great for making new friends and networking contacts.
Access Bikepool options in your area through Trip Planning on your STAR account.
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Bicycle Rewards
Bicycle to work and earn $100
Commuters who live, work, or go to school in San Mateo County can receive up to $100 when they log their bicycle commutes on STAR. Bicycle commutes must start or end in San Mateo County and be tracked using the Strava app. The STAR platform will only count Strava trips that start or end at the same work address that a commuter has saved in their STAR profile. There is a limit of $100 total per person per year, or until funds are depleted. Learn more here.
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Share Your Commute Stories
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- What does your commute or telecommute routine look like now?
- What do you miss about your commute pre-COVID?
- What may you change about your commute if you return to your workplace?
By sharing your stories with us, you will be entered into a monthly drawing to win a $25 e-gift card. For a bonus raffle entry in May, attach a picture of your bike or a scene from your bike route. |
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If you have any questions or would like to receive more information about Bike Month, email us at support@commute.org.
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