The Charlottesville region has an extensive biking community and there are several programs intended to encourage more people to try out the transportation mode. Friday marks the beginning of Bike Month with involvement from the city, Albemarle County, and the University of Virginia.
“These events aren’t just for hardcore cyclists,” said Tommy Safranek, the city’s bike and pedestrian coordinator. “They’re for anyone who’s ever been curious about getting around by bike. And every person who gets on a bike is a win for our community, for our air quality, our roads, our neighborhoods.”
National Bike Month began in 1956 when the League of American Bicyclists launched the event to support the practice for both recreation and getting around. Charlottesville City Council will make a formal proclamation at their meeting on May 4 followed by the Board of Supervisors on May 6.
One of the events is Family Bike Day on Sunday, May 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the McIntire Skate Park.
“There will be free helmets and fittings for the first 150 kids,” said Assistant City Manager Evan Pilachowski. “Blue Wheels Bicycles will be providing free bike safety checks and you can try out our E Bikes from the local E Bike Lending Library.”
Other events include:
- Endeavor Cycles will hold a group ride from their store on Maury Avenue to the Charlottesville Pavilion on May 1 for Fridays after Five.
- There will be E-Bike demos at Hollymead Elementary School on Monday, May 11 from 6:15 to 8:00 PM and at the McIntire Road County Office Building on Tuesday, May 19 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
- Local bike shops will have free repair clinics every Thursday
- Bike to Work Appreciation Stations will be set up at various points on different days. That includes one at the UVA Hospital on Tuesday May 5, 7:00 to 9:00 AM, one at the UVA School of Medicine (Jefferson Park Avenue) on Thursday, May 7, 8:00-10:00 AM, and on West Main Street on Wednesday, May 13, 7:30–9:30 AM.
- National Bike to Work Day is May 15
Take a look at Bike Charlottesville for more information.
Before you go: The goal of Town Crier Productions is to increase awareness about what is happening at the local, regional, state, and federal government levels. Please share the work with others if you want people to know things. Paid subscribers cover the cost of conducting research for this article which was originally published in the April 29, 2026 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. You can either subscribe through Substack or make a charitable contribution.
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