The San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club (SLOBC) and the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition are using Rideshare’s Bike Month and the region’s bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign, #LetsGetVisible, to kick-off a unique bike safety program, Light Up San Luis Obispo County!
The SLOBC and the Bicycle Coalition have partnered to purchase a supply of bicycle lights that have been provided, without cost, to all of our local law enforcement agencies. Patrol officers will have the opportunity to give a free set of lights to any person riding a bicycle at night without the legally required lighting equipment. SLOBC President Will Benedict said, “This effort will help cyclists be lawful and more visible at night and greatly improve safety for all users of our roadways.”
Cal Poly Chief of Police George Hughes said, “This program will give our police officers a positive way to encourage students to comply with bicycle lighting requirements on and around our campus.”
“The community support for Bike Month is overwhelming”, said Stephanie Hicks, Program Manager for SLO Regional Ride Share. “Light Up San Luis Obispo County”, in conjunction with Bike Month activities and the region’s new bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign #LetsGetVisible underscores our region’s commitment to safe roadways for all users.
Participating agencies include the Police Departments of Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, CHP, Cal Poly PD, Cuesta College PD, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department.
The SLOBC, founded in 1971, is a non-profit organization that promotes safe and legal bicycle riding for recreation and transportation. For more information about the club and our activities, please visit our website at www.slobc.org and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/slobc.org
Let’s Get Visible and Light Up SLO County!
Like Bikes?
Become a member of The Bike Coalition – it’s free to sign-up and we’ll keep you informed every month about bike events and issues in SLO County. Click this link to join: I Like Bikes!
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We’re excited that Rideshare’s Bike Month is just days away and want to give you a preview of some of the fantastic events happening throughout the month of May.
May 1st:
Art After Dark: To kick off Bike Month, a number of galleries throughout San Luis Obispo are featuring bike-themed artwork during Art After Dark, including Linnaea’s Cafe which will feature the month-long bicycle-themed group show “Joy Ride”, with an opening reception from 6PM – 9PM. A portion of all sales from this show will benefit the Bicycle Coalition. A list of all participating Art After Dark galleries can be found here: https://www.artsobispo.org/system/files/AAD_Current_Listing_May15.pdf
May 2nd:
Community Workout: Start Bike Month right with a free outdoor workout class in beautiful Meadow Park led by Jonathan Gabriel, followed by a short bike ride, with instruction by Vanessa from the SLO County Bicycle Coalition. Make sure and bring a bicycle AND a helmet! We’ll meet up in Meadow Park by the Basketball Courts at 8:00 AM.
Bike in Movie: The Bike-In Movie is a popular event held each year during May’s Bike Month and this year marks our 11th Annual! We’ll be showing the wildly popular Big Hero 6 in the Mission Plaza Amphitheater starting at 7:45 PM. We’ll provide popcorn, hot chocolate and a family friendly movie for everyone to enjoy. As always, our Bike Valet will be on hand to help with bicycle parking. Come earlier in the day and check out the Central Coast Sustainability Festival, a day long event featuring an exposition of student and industry projects related to sustainability accompanied by entertainment and food.
May 7th:
Kidical Mass: Often called the family bike happening, Kidical Mass is a venue for parents to teach their kids how to ride safely. We’re kicking off the 2015 Kidical Mass season on May 7th in Mitchell Park at 5:30 PM. This month’s theme is Superheroes! Costumes are not required but are heartily encouraged! If you have ever wanted to ride your bike in a parade with kids of all ages, this is the perfect chance to make it happen. No matter your age, the ride is a blast for everyone! The more the merrier as we introduce the next generation to the joy of bicycles. For more information and additional dates, click here: https://slobikelane.org/programs/kidicalmass/#tab-id-1
Bikefest: Combine fun music, great food, discount New Belgium Brewery Beersand an awesome celebration of bikes and you get…Bikefest! Held every year in the Village of Arroyo Grande, Bikefest 2015 happens Saturday, May 9th at Branch Street Deli from 1 pm to 4 pm. A bike parade beginning at the Rotary Bandstand will start the festivities at 12:30. This year’s theme is: Biking makes for a safer and healthier community. Come join sponsors Rideshare, Branch Street Deli, New Belgium Brewery, Lezyne, Ira’s Bike Shop and the SLO County Bicycle Coalition for this year’s event. All ages are welcome, so grab your bike and head to Branch Street Deli. It’s going to be a blast.
May 17th:
Cycle De Mayo: Come enjoy the outdoors, be active, and have fun with the whole family at this year’s Cycle De Mayo: The Missing Link Event, highlighting the missing bicycle-friendly link between the three cities with group rides for adults from Paso Robles and Atascadero to Templeton. Checkout the BMX Stunt show, learn about bike safety, and eat some wonderful BBQ while listening to local music! Bike decorating, a kid’s bike rodeo, and face painting are just a few of the kid friendly events. 10AM – 4PM. More info at https://www.cycledemayo.com/.
May 30th:
Bike Fashion Show/Annual Party: Open to the whole community, our annual party is always a blast! Coalition members and non-members alike come together for a fantastically fun evening of bikes, food, and bike-related fashion. Food by Mee Heng Low, Beer and Wine from local brewers. Music by DJ Malik. Members $5. Nonmembers $10. Entry includes 1 Free Beverage. 6PM – 9PM at iFixit Headquarters in SLO (1330 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401)
The Bike Coalition and The SLO County Air Pollution Control District are joining forces to present our free Bike Valet at Farmers’ Markets all over the county during Bike Month. Go to slobikelane.org/special-bike-valets-in-may/ for dates and times.
There are lots more events happening during Bike Month, including Bike Breakfasts, Bike to Work Day and Bike to School Day. We’ll post more as the month rolls on. See Rideshare’s full Bike Month calendar here: https://www.rideshare.org/program/bike-month/