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LA Bike Month 2016: Bike to Work Day, freebies and parties
A photo from the unveiling of the Long Beach Bike Share program.
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Courtesy of the City of Long Beach
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A cyclist passes community bicycle repair shop, The Bike Oven in Highland Park, Los Angeles.
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Fig For All/Flickr
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A photo from the unveiling of the Long Beach Bike Share program.
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Courtesy of the City of Long Beach
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Charles Dandino passes the Colorado Street Bridge on South Arroyo Boulevard in Pasadena on Thursday morning, July 9, 2015 during a bike train commute to Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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May is Bike Month across the country and Los Angeles is celebrating with various cycle-friendly events, including Bike to Work Day on Thursday.
But if the idea of biking to work seems daunting the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and Metro are offering perks and some cities are serving up cycling-related excitement on Thursday and throughout the month.
Here are some bone shaking Bike Month bonuses and events you can check out with your wheels:
Blessing of the Bicycles
You can officially make your biking journey a holy one. At Good Samaritan Hospital, representatives from various faiths will offer their blessings for cyclists’ trips to and from work; a reverend will read a selected Bible verse; and attendees will take a moment of silence in honor of those who have suffered cycling accidents. May 17, 8-9:30 a.m.
Bike to Work Day
Enjoy a change of scenery and some exercise on your way to work May 19. Here are a few of the day's events:
- On Thursday, May 19 anyone with a bike or wearing a helmet will get a free ride on Commuter Express or DASH buses or the Metro. Keep in mind: Commuter Express and DASH buses have limited bike racks, which are first come, first served.
- Bikers can stop at dozens of pit stops in cities from Santa Clarita to West Hollywood to Long Beach. You can see a full map of the pit stops here or below.
- On your ride home from work, stop and check out Handlebar Happy Hour with LA County Bicycle Coalition at Angel City Brewery from 5-8 p.m.
LA Bike Trains
Don’t want to bike to work by yourself? Go with an LA Bike Train—a group of cyclists led by a “conductor” along a predetermined route. If you’re new or nervous riding on the street, you’ll even get special instruction and encouragement. The Bike Trains run on different days and times so check the route schedule here before you go. Various days, 6 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
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Bike Week Pasadena
Go on a Pasadena restaurant tour via bike, see a bike-in movie, party after Bike to Work Day and more during this cycling-centered celebration May 16-21. See the full schedule of events here. May 16-21, various times
https://www.facebook.com/cicle.org/posts/1354848727865000
Bike Night at Union Station
On May 27 Metro will host this free event with live music, raffles and games, bike prizes and even a bike fashion show featuring works by OTIS Fashion Design students and a sneak preview of the Downtown LA bike share Metro bikes. Food trucks and a free bike valet will also be on hand.
More Bike Month Fun
Want more cycling excitement? See the full Metro calendar of Bike Month events or view a map of Bike Month events and destinations below.
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