Bike Month is a month-long celebration of biking in May in collaboration with dedicated community members. New Haven Bike Month and New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation are partnering to coordinate this year’s activities — in close collaboration with volunteers and supporters.
If you'd like to organize a COVID-19-friendly event during Bike Month, please fill out this form. For example, earth-themed bike rides, bike-decorating events, public art initiatives, film screenings, neighborhood block parties, and more.
See below for a list of upcoming COVID-19-friendly events happening in May organized by multiple organizations and individuals!
Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride
A large, annual community bike ride that is New Haven's largest celebration of Earth Day! The ride is traditionally from West Rock to East Rock and supports 20+ local nonprofits doing environmental work.
When: Saturday, April 29th
Register now and Learn more
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East Rock Century by New Haven Bicycling Club
Ride up and down east rock until you reach 100 miles! (or 100km or any other goal you set for yourself!) It's not a race; there will be no timekeeping. If you want to ride one lap and then hang out at the top cheering people on, that's 100% encouraged! Route can be found here. There will also be an afterparty at East Rock Brewery!
When: Saturday, May 13th
Where: East Rock Park (corner of Farnam Dr. and East Rock Rd.)
Contact: info@newhavenbicyclingclub.org
Register here and Learn More
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Grill Ride with a Grilled Cheese Tandem
Hosted by the Radical Adventure Riders. We will be bringing our tandem bike down to East Rock Park and making some grilled cheeses on its grill! Some fixings will be provided. BYO if you please.
When: Sunday, May 14th
Where: Meet at the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op (138 Bradley Street)
Open to all
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Radical Adventure Riders Welcome Wagon
New to Radical Adventure Riders? Or just wanna hang out? Well c’mon down! Tour the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op, get excited about what we’ve got coming up, and find out how you can plug into the community!
When: Wednesday, May 17th at 7pm
Where: Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op (138 Bradley Street)
* For women, femme, trans, and non-binary folks only
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New Haven Bike Party: Bumblebees and Butterflies
New Haven Bike Party is a mobile party on two wheels! Bike Party is: music, monthly themes and costumes. New Haven’s most accessible bike ride and raddest party in one place. Join a leisurely ride with music, lights, and great outfits. Theme is bumblebees and butterflies! Pace ~5mph.
When: Friday, May 19th at 7pm
Where: Meet at the light pole on the New Haven Green
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BIPOC Ice Cream Ride
Hosted by the Radical Adventure Riders! Stretch your legs and get some cones. Meet at BSBC and eat some ice cream together. Keep in the loop with Radical Adventure Riders here.
When: Tuesday, May 23rd
Where: Meet at the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op (138 Bradley Street)
* Open to all, not Radical Adventure Riders-only! For folks who identify as Black/Indigenous/Persons of Color
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Ride to Northamption | Registration Required
Outspokin will be riding from New Haven to Northampton MA (80 miles). We leave from the flagpole on the New Haven Green at 8am. Coffee stop in Southington, lunch in Southwick MA, and dinner in Northampton. Cars will be in Northampton for the return. This ride requires a reservation.
When: Sunday, May 29th
Contact: Paul Proulx (pauljproulx@comcast.net) to register
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Outspokin’ Sunday Rides
Join Outspokin’ rides to go on leisurely rides with other that love cycling through the city.
When: Every Sunday at 10am
Where: 49 Cottage St, New Haven, CT 06511
Contact: Paul Proulx (pauljproulx@comcast.net)
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Outspokin’ Bike Month Ice Cream Social rides
Wednesday evenings in May will feature the return of the Ice Cream Social Rides. A different ice cream parlor will be the destination each Wednesday. The ride is a no-drop conversational pace (8-10 mph) ride. The ride will total from 10 – 20 miles. Helmets are required and lights are recommended.
When: 5:45pm for a 6pm departure
Where: Flagpole on the New Haven Green
Contact: Paul Proulx, pauljproulx@comcast.net
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Coffee Outside
Bike up East Rock and drink hot drinks at the top with new pals! Organized by the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op.
* Beginner friendly, no-drop ride
* Ride pace: ~10mph
* Mileage: 5-7 miles
* Bring coffee/tea/cider to drink at the top
When: Every Friday at 8am
Where: Meet at Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op (138 Bradley Street)
Fair Haven Day
Join your neighbors for Fair Haven Day, a parade and festival celebrating community, local art and artists, culture, sports, creativity, entrepreneurship, and partnership, presented by and for the Fair Haven neighborhood. Fair Haven Day begins with the Fair Haven Community Parade organized by the Mary Wade Home, followed by a full day of activities at the Arts & Ideas Fair Haven Neighborhood Festival.
During Fair Haven, Bike Month will be giving away two free kids bikes (with helmets, locks, and lights provided) for participants in NCAT’s bike rodeo. In addition, volunteers from the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op will be providing free bike repair.
When: Saturday, May 6th, 11am-8pm
Learn more
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Bike to Work Day Breakfast
Enjoy a Free Breakfast (sponsored by SLR) with bike riding and bicycle-curious friends at the Devil's Gear Bike Shop on Wednesday, May 17th, 7:30 am - 9:30 am. We'll see you there!
When: Wednesday, May 17th, 7:30-9:30am
Where: The Devil’s Gear Bike Shop (845 Chapel Street in New Haven)
Learn more here
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Yale Bike to Work Day
Rethink your ride and pedal to the office on Friday, May 19 for Yale Bike to Work Day. Meet up with fellow bike commuters and enjoy complimentary breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m., courtesy of the Yale Office of Sustainability and Farmington Rail-to-Trail Association. Helmet required.
When: Friday, May 19th, 7-9am
Where: Farmington Canal Trail behind the Yale Health Building (55 Lock Street)
Register here
Radical Adventure Riders Takeover
Do you want to work on your bike? Are you seeking beautiful vibes? Come to RAR Shop takeovers to hang out with other FTW-NB folks and work on your bike and help out around the shop. Everyone is welcome, whether it’s your first time, your fiftieth time or if you’re still learning how to fix a flat. These are RAR-led volunteer shop hours! Come learn to wrench, fix shop bikes, work on your own, or sit on the couch and chill! There will be at least one RAR coordinator there and this will be a comfy time to come learn or work!
When: Thursday, May 18th 4-7pm
Where: Bradley Street Bicycle Coop (138 Bradley Street)
* Open to all! This is an extension of BSBC shop hours but typically features medium to heavy FTWNB representation!
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Finding your Perfect Bike: A Bike-Choosing Workshop
We love our bikes, and finding the right one for you can seem like a daunting task! There are so many different types of bikes, from gravel to mountain to commuter, with differing hardware that picking the bike which will become yours can be difficult, and once you start, you’re swimming in jargon! Come learn from Kai how to pick the right bike for you before the weather gets so good you really wish you had gotten a bike earlier. Keep in the loop with Radical Adventure Riders here.
When: Wednesday, May 31st at 7pm
Where: Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op (138 Bradley Street)
* Open to all, not RAR only!
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In addition, throughout the month, the New Haven Free Public Library Wilson Branch will offer a bike-themed display — focused on children alongside a range of books for adults.
In 2023, Bike Month is co-organized by New Haven Bike Month, New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation, and many other organizations and volunteers.