Bike Month 2026

May is National Bike Month, a nationwide celebration of the benefits of bicycling that encourages more people to try riding a bicycle for everyday transportation. Through intentional programming and partnerships, CDOT supports Bike Month with the goal of helping residents feel more comfortable and confident bicycling on Charlotte streets, contributing to a safer, more connected, and multimodal transportation network.

Explore Bike Month

Free Bicycle Education

Start getting ready for Bike Month this May and continue learning new bike skills year-round. Join Cycling Savvy instructor Pam Murray and CDOT for the FREE Bicycle Skills Class Series.

Register Now

Free Bicycle Skills Class Series

How to Bike More

Biking can be more than recreation, it can be part of your daily life. This classroom-style session covers simple, realistic strategies to help you ride more often. After the session, participants are invited to join a group ride to Plaza Midwood to put what you’ve learned into practice. Helmet and lights required for the ride.

Shopping by Bike

This hands-on class teaches you how to carry items on of all shapes and sizes using racks, bags and other gear. With a focus on grocery trips, you’ll learn how to load your bike for balance and safety, then practice riding with your cargo. Perfect for anyone looking to make errands more bike friendly.

 

CyclingSavvy Truths & Techniques (Webinar)

This virtual class introduces key concepts from CyclingSavvy. Learn essential riding techniques and principles that help cyclists ride confidently. Ideal for both new and experienced riders looking to deepen their understanding of safe cycling practices.

E-bike Skills

Curious about e-bikes? This free session is designed to help you better understand how they work and how they can fit into your everyday travel. You’ll learn about the different types of e-bikes, key features to look for and what to expect when stepping into a bike shop.

Bikes on a Train Ride

Celebrate National Bike to Work Week by combining bicycling and transit. This group ride will incorporate a train trip, demonstrating how easy it can be to bring your bike along for multimodal travel. This is not a classroom session but a guided ride to help you experience using transit with your bike during CATS Rack & Ride Week.

Route Planning

This session teaches you how to plan bike-friendly trips using maps, apps and local knowledge. Learn how to use tools to identify low-stress streets, bike infrastructure and key connections so you can ride with more confidence.

Train Your Bike

Designed for beginner bicycle riders, this class focuses on building confidence and control on the bike. Participants will practice basic skills like starting, stopping, turning and balance through guided activities and games. This is a supportive, low-pressure environment to help beginners and young riders develop safe riding habits and have fun on their bikes.

Each two-hour class ends with a short group bike ride to practice what was learned. Make sure to bring your helmet and bicycle to each session. Snacks, drinks and giveaways are provided to all participants, along with the chance to win special prizes. Limited spots are available, register now!

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternative formats, language access and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please email CharlotteDOT@charlottenc.gov.

Bicycle Awards and Competitions

Bike Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the people, businesses and schools who are champions of bicycling in Charlotte. Through awards and friendly competitions, we highlight those who support safer streets, cleaner bike lanes and a stronger bicycling community.

  • Bicycle Champion Award
  • Bicycle-Friendly Business Award
  • PBLS Mileage Monarch Competition

Bike Month Awards

Bicycle Champion: Recognizes a community member whose dedication to bicycling sets a positive example for others. Through everyday actions such as commuting to work, riding with family, or running errands by bike, this individual helps inspire a more bike-friendly Charlotte.

Bicycle-Friendly Business: Awarded to a Charlotte business or organization that goes above and beyond in supporting bicyclists, whether customers, employees or students. Previous winners include Bridsong Brewing Co. and UNC Charlotte.

PBLS Mileage Monarch: By going the extra mile for cleaner and safer bike lanes, this individual leads by example and helps keep Charlotte's bike lanes clear. The People-Powered Bike Lane Sweeper (PBLS) Mileage Monarch award goes to the rider who logs the most miles using PBLS from April 1 through May 15.

Nominations are open from April 1 through May 15.

Submit a Nomination Reserve PBLS

Events

Celebrate Bike Month in Charlotte with rides, classes, competitions and community events throughout May, plus educational opportunities that extend beyond the month!

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May is full of Bike Month group rides, events and opportunities to get involved! Reach out to our partners or your local bike shop to learn more.

 

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