It’s time to pedal into May Bike Month, a nationwide celebration of the joys and benefits of bicycling promoted by the League of American Bicyclists. As part of May Bike Month, thousands of businesses across the U.S. will encourage their employees to get out on two wheels. Is your organization ready to ride along?

To help inspire your staff to participate, PeopleForBikes gathered five practical and impactful ways to boost engagement and make biking fun for everyone.

If you’re reading this blog, your company’s Bike Month champion may be you! Many organizations have specific committees focused on employee wellness or office morale. Include these groups early in the planning process so they can help lead and support bike-related activities and events all month long. 

Anticipate common deterrents to bike riding and get creative with ways to mitigate those barriers. A few examples include:

“I live too far away.” Offer a park-and-ride option closer to the office.

“It isn’t safe to ride near the office.” Encourage staff to ride in their own neighborhoods or on safe cycling routes nearby and count that towards participation.

“I don’t have a bike.” Partner with a local bike shop to offer subsidized rentals or work with employees to implement a bike share program. 

People love being part of something bigger than themselves, and Bike Month offers the perfect opportunity to cultivate that sense of community. One fun way to bring people together is by creating custom Bike to Work Week t-shirts for participants. Not only can employees collect them each year, they also become great conversation starters.

Another fantastic way to build a strong sense of camaraderie is by having your executive team host a tailgate commuter breakfast for employees who bike to work. Involving senior leadership in these activities is key because it shows that bike commuting is valued and supported from the top down. This reinforces the idea that bicycling is not just a personal choice, but a celebrated and sustainable mode of transportation within your organization. Read more about why senior leadership buy-in is paramount. 

Use simple games like Bike Month BINGO to keep spirits high and the competition friendly. You can even add challenges like “Best Decorated Bike” or “Best Costume” to spice things up! 

Download PeopleForBikes' Bike Month BINGO Card

Surprise your team with small yet meaningful rewards when they hit special milestones. Whether it’s riding for the first time, attending every weekly event, or biking through rainy days, unexpected rewards will keep the momentum going! Check out this list of free and inexpensive ways to motivate your team. 


May Bike Month is the perfect opportunity to kickstart a lasting bike culture at your workplace. We hope these creative ideas spark inspiration and help keep your team motivated, excited, and ready to ride all month long — and beyond!

Five Ways to Boost Employee Engagement During May Bike Month

PeopleForBikes released our 2024 U.S. Bicycling Participation Study, offering new insights into bicycling trends across the country. This biennial report reveals that 112 million Americans — 35% of those ages 3 and older — rode a bike at least once in 2024. This marks the highest participation rate since the study began in 2014, underscoring an increasing interest in bicycling propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In even better news, youth participation (ages 3 to 17) in bicycling increased from 49% to 56% since the last study, reversing a steady decline in youth ridership since 2018. As the bike industry continues to navigate sales turbulence and economic headwinds, this data provides key information to guide industry investments, advocacy efforts, and infrastructure development. 

“The significant increase in youth participation signals a potential new generation of lifelong riders, but with 53% of riders worried about being hit by a car, we must take action to ensure people today and tomorrow feel safe and comfortable riding a bike,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “This underscores the urgent need for continued investment in safe places to ride and highlights the critical importance of connecting bicycle networks both on and off-road to ensure safer, more accessible riding experiences for all.”


50% of riders said they are familiar with the bike lanes, paths, and trails in their area.

Ridership increased by 9% for youth ages 3 to 9 and 15% for youth ages 10 to 17. 

Traveling to/from social or recreation activities became the number one reason for transportation riding, bumping errands/shopping.

In addition to these insights, the report provides detailed breakdowns of how frequently Americans are riding, regional participation trends, and indoor-versus-outdoor riding, among other findings. It also examines consumer motivations and behaviors behind why they ride, how they feel when they ride, and even examines how likely non-riders are to get on a bicycle in the future.

As with past reports, the 2024 data was generated through survey results from 16,000 adults nationwide. The study used the same methodology as previous participation studies, allowing us to tap into 10 years of historical data to track how bicycling participation and perceptions have evolved over time.

The full report can be accessed for free by PeopleForBikes Coalition members in the PeopleForBikes Member Center. The study is available for purchase by non-members in the PeopleForBikes Resource Marketplace. 

More Americans Rode a Bike Than Ever Before in 2024

Los Angeles Bike Academy Executive Director Damon Turner coaches young athletes as part of the many neighborhood services of the South Los Angeles nonprofit. PHOTO CREDIT: Science in Sport

Each year, PeopleForBikes supports transformative bike projects and advocacy efforts across the U.S. through our Industry Community Grants program. Many of those projects, like Apache County's pump and skills track in Arizona, Los Angeles Bicycle Academy’s youth programs, and the Lodestone XC mountain bike park in Kearns, Utah, are creating safe and inclusive spaces for the next generation of riders.

In 2017, Chief Judge Michael Latham in Apache County, Arizona, decided to convert a juvenile detention center into a teen resource center to give the county’s youth a safe place to gather and recreate. The center, called the LOFT, provides a technology space, rooms for music and games, a sound recording studio, and an education room, along with a lounge, kitchen, and enclosed outdoor courtyard. Soon they’ll have another amenity: a first-class pump and skills track. Thanks to a PeopleForBikes Industry Community Grant and other support, the pump and skills track is currently under construction in the community’s existing skatepark. 


“When will it be finished?!” is a question LOFT Manager Kyle Mayer has to answer almost daily, he says. The track will serve the growing demand for youth bicycling opportunities in Apache County. The local high school recently started a mountain bike club, with residents donating bikes to families who can’t afford them, and LOFT is also working with IMBA to improve existing mountain bike trails in the region. The new pump and skills track will give Apache County youth a safe and accessible place to practice their skills and connect with the local community.

The Los Angeles Bicycle Academy (LABA) was founded by former amateur racer and long-time community leader Damon Turner to support his local community and improve diverse representation in the sport of bicycling.


The Academy’s vision is simple: “We’re passionate about bicycles. We believe that bikes offer a simple solution to many of our communities’ complex problems. Bikes are great for your personal health and for the health of our environment. Bikes can help you save money on transportation, and bikes can provide you with endless miles of fun with your family and friends.” Among the many services the Academy provides are periodic family rides that give local youth the freedom to explore their neighborhood and their parents the confidence that they can do so safely.

“Getting involved with LABA was a turning point for me. I learned countless lessons — not just about bikes, but about community, patience, and persistence,” says Academy member Fareed Mumin. “I also grew closer to the amazing community that supports LABA. I started participating in Wednesday night rides which deepened my love for cycling and strengthened my connections within the cycling community. I also encouraged my little brother, little sister, and a few friends to enroll in LABA’s earn-a-bike program. To this day, they still ride the bikes they earned through LABA.”

“LABA isn’t just a bike program — it’s a community, a space for growth, and an incredible resource,” says Mumin. “I’ll always be grateful for the experiences I’ve had there and for the opportunity to share that with others.”

The Los Angeles Bike Academy family ride took members to a nature center in a nearby neighborhood. PHOTO CREDIT: Los Angeles Bike Academy

In Kearns, Utah, just west of Salt Lake City, local high school student athletes on the West Granite Composite mountain bike team have thrived under the coaching of NICA’s Rochelle Bartschi. Unfortunately, unlike teams in the wealthier districts to their east, the team can’t ride to trails for practice and their parents are likely working or lacking an extra car to transport them around. That will all change when the Lodestone XC mountain bike park is finished next summer. Supported by a PeopleForBikes Industry Community Grant, Trails Utah is building a cross-country style bike park on 12 acres of land accessible to thousands of families in the area. The new park’s design maximizes the number of fun, flowy trail miles designed to build fitness while also providing riders with a rewarding, circuit-type experience. The park includes skill areas, bermed turns, drops, and other trail features suitable for helping youth advance their mountain bike skill level.

“What’s really cool about the project is that this park serves a low-income area that’s really underserved,” says Trails Utah Executive Director Sarah Bennett. She says the local kids have really embraced the park, with 20-40 youth showing up every weekend to volunteer to help get it built. “The park just exudes this awesome spirit of inclusion,” Bennett says, citing the community of riders of adaptive bikes and the attention trail builders are giving to features that will challenge and support people with disabilities.

Weekends at the Lodestone Community Park are exciting events for area youth who can’t wait to get a great cross-country mountain bike park and come out in droves to help build it. PHOTO CREDIT: Trails Utah

Communities across the country are demonstrating the transformative power of bicycles to bring people together, create opportunities, and improve lives. From Apache County’s pump and skills track to LABA’s inspiring programs and the Lodestone XC mountain bike park in Kearns, these projects showcase how investments in bike infrastructure and advocacy can ignite passion, foster inclusivity, and strengthen community bonds. With every trail built, bike donated, and skill shared, these efforts are laying the foundation for healthier, more connected communities where everyone — regardless of age, ability, or background — can experience the joy and empowerment found on a bicycle.

PeopleForBikes Industry Community Grants Are Supporting Youth Bicycling Nationwide

It seems like electric bicycles (e-bikes) are everywhere these days. On bike paths, rolling along in bike lanes, and parked at your local schools. They are a growing part of the daily lives of millions of Americans, providing an affordable transportation option, a great opportunity for exercise, and wonderful experiences exploring the outdoors. For kids not yet old enough to drive a car, e-bikes also offer a degree of independence and the freedom to ride with friends. As a parent heading into the holiday season, you may be hearing about how great it would be if your kid had an e-bike of their own, perhaps coupled with the timeless plea, “All my friends have one...”


You may have also heard about community concerns around safety and e-bikes.  Young riders are often more inclined to take risks and may be less familiar with the rules of the road. Whether your child should join their ranks is a question that requires some serious parental consideration and a bit of investigation. To help you on that journey, PeopleForBikes pulled together some helpful facts about e-bikes, what they are, and how they are regulated.  


First, and most importantly, you should know that not all things called “e-bikes” are suitable for young riders. Unfortunately, “e-bike” is often used as a generic term referring to any vehicle with two wheels powered by an electric motor. This includes some fast, powerful devices that are actually electric mopeds or motorcycles. In most places, these faster “e-motos” are considered motor vehicles, just like cars, and require a valid driver’s license, registration, and insurance to operate on public streets.  Definitely not something you want to give to your young non-driver. 


The only electric vehicle you should consider allowing your child to operate is an electric bicycle, also called an electric-assisted bicycle. In most places, an electric bicycle is a legally defined type of vehicle with specific limitations on its motor power and speed. Under federal law, electric bicycles must have working pedals, motors of less than 750 watts, and can go no faster than 20 mph on motor power alone (without pedaling). Almost all states now have similar laws, and 43 states further define electric bicycles into three distinct classes according to their capabilities:


"Class 1 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

"Class 2 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that is capable of propelling the bicycle without the rider pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

"Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.


These legal distinctions are important. Because true electric bicycles are slower and less powerful, they are regulated like bicycles, while those other, faster “e-bikes” are considered motor vehicles and should not be operated by kids who are not licensed drivers. 


Your state may also have other requirements for electric bicycles. They are usually subject to bicycle-specific equipment and operation laws (like needing reflectors or lights at night) as well as the rules of the road that apply to all vehicles used on public streets. States may also have minimum age requirements for operators of electric bicycles, or require that riders under a certain age wear helmets (which is always a good idea!).

Electric bicycle laws are different in every state and can be confusing for riders. PeopleForBikes works to make riding an electric bicycle easy and accessible for all. Find your state's specific rules.

So, if lots of things are called “e-bikes,” how do you know the one you’re buying is an electric bicycle? That can be a bit complicated. Some of the “e-bike” products are hard to distinguish from true electric bicycles and could even be labeled or advertised as one of the three classes of electric bicycles. Some can easily be modified to exceed the motor power and speed limits of an electric bicycle by selecting an “unlimited” mode setting on the controls, by cutting a wire that limits power and speed, or by changing the setting in a smartphone app used to control the device. As with other big ticket items, there is just no substitute for fully researching a product before you buy. Here are some tips to help you separate the electric bicycles from the ‘e-bikes’ you don’t want:


If it looks like a motorcycle or mini-moto, it just might be. Many products have motorcycle or “moto inspired” styling or look like gas powered minibikes or dirt bikes in order to appeal to younger riders. That’s a possible red flag, so dig deeper.

Virtually all of these products are advertised online. What does the manufacturer’s website say about their products? Are the motors claimed to be more powerful than 750 watts? Is the top speed stated as exceeding 28 mph or “28 mph+”?  Is there an “unlimited” or “unlocked” mode? Does the vehicle lack pedals or require that they be added as an option? Again, any of these signs can indicate that the product is not an electric bicycle.

Some products have lengthy legal disclaimers on their websites in an effort to make it your responsibility that their product isn’t an electric bicycle. Sometimes this language is used when describing “unlocking” the device’s power and speed capability (you assume all risks). If it can be easily unlocked, it’s probably not an electric bicycle. Beware of statements like “sold as a Class 2 e-bike.” Is it, or isn’t it?

What does social media have to say about the product and how it is being used? Do reviews or posts by users talk about the product being excessively fast, easily and frequently modified, or used unsafely? That product might not be right for your family.

Buy your electric bicycle at a local bicycle shop in your community. Major U.S. manufacturers of electric bicycles that are sold at local bike shops follow federal regulations on electric bicycle motor power and speed. Plus, they’ll let you test ride the product so you can verify its capabilities and ask questions before you buy.

Is the product certified to applicable safety standards like UL 2849 or EN 15194? These standards ensure that the electrical system and battery are safely designed and of high quality. Avoid products that do not claim these safety certifications.

It should go without saying, but don’t be pressured into buying a particular product because it’s cool and “all the other kids have them.” You’ve probably heard that one before.


If you do buy an electric bicycle for your child, that’s not the end of your journey.  Make sure they understand the rules of the road, know how to safely charge and operate their new electric bicycle, and always wear a helmet. In addition to the Owner’s Manual provided by the manufacturer, PeopleForBikes and our partners offer a free online safety training course for new riders called E-Bike Smart. When purchased wisely and used appropriately, electric bicycles can be an amazing form of transportation, recreation, freedom, and fun for youth and adults.

When you pass a group of kids on bicycles, it’s hard not to smile — there’s something innately joyful about the sight. There’s also an underlying assumption that everything about the act, from the socialization to the time spent outdoors engaged in physical activity, is good for them. New research affirms that gut feeling.

Published on October 12, 2023, in Frontier in Sports and Active Living, a new study from researchers at Loma Linda University (LLU) reveals the positive impact of cycling education on the psychosocial well-being of students. The research is the result of a collaboration between LLU and the youth cycling nonprofit Outride, examining the impact of Outride’s in-school cycling programs on the mental health of middle schoolers. 

"Our findings were incredibly encouraging,” says Dr. Sean Wilson, LLU professor and senior author of the study. “A large proportion of students had a positive learning experience and continued interest in cycling,” 

“As a learning organization, we really want to understand how bicycling can improve the lives of youth in their communities,” says Dr. Esther Walker, senior research manager at Outride. 

Anonymous surveys were collected before and after the program in 20 schools in North America, with psychosocial well-being quantified using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17-Y). The former is a short, five-item, self-report questionnaire that assesses positive well-being and primarily assesses for depression, while the latter is a widely used measure of psychosocial functioning, with lower scores representing greater well-being. According to the study, participation in R4F was associated with improved psychosocial well-being among middle school youth in the United States. 

“It was really encouraging to see such a positive student response to a cycling-specific physical education program,” says Fletcher Dementyev, a research fellow at LLU and first author of the paper. “This result motivates us, and hopefully others, to continue investigating and developing cycling as a pathway to improved health and well-being in adolescents.”

“By providing access to bikes, a safe environment to learn to ride, and the confidence to ride independently, we can really help to create healthy pathways,” says Walker. “As youth are facing worrying levels of physical inactivity and mental health challenges, finding those activities that get them excited to participate is really important.”

PeopleForBikes’ 2022 Bicycling Participation Report reflects this trend: While 49% of youth ages 3-17 rode a bicycle at least once in 2022, ridership among younger Americans has continued to drop since 2016.

“Our program data shows that access to bikes at home, as well as safe places to ride, is not equitable across the student population,” said Walker, noting that programs like R4F, which take place during the school day and provide all necessary materials, gives everyone the opportunity to learn a skill they can use throughout their life. "While bicycling can certainly contribute positively to one's day-to-day life, to see large-scale improvements, we need changes in policy and reductions in systematic disparities in access to nutrition, health services, safe environments, and beyond.”

As school systems, educators, policymakers, and healthcare professionals work together to address the mental health challenges facing today's youth, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of cycling programs to enhance the mental well-being of young people across the U.S. University-backed research is showing the benefits that come along with getting more kids on bikes. Communities should listen.  

Interested in learning more? Follow Outride on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date with their work to improve the well-being of youth through research-backed cycling programs.

Research Highlights the Positive Impact of In-School Cycling

PeopleForBikes is pleased to announce the award of a three-year grant from The JPB Foundation to support the Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP), a national collaboration focused on improving social and racial equity in shared micromobility systems across the United States. Better Bike Share Partners — the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS); the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO); and PeopleForBikes — will carry out this work together.

“Shared micromobility means more options for people in need of reliable transportation,” says Tangier Barnes-Wright, PeopleForBikes’ senior partnership and program manager. “When done equitably, it results in significant social, health, economic, and sustainability benefits for lower-income and BIPOC communities. I am excited to continue our support of organizations that are breaking down barriers to using shared micromobility for these groups.”

This is the fifth grant supporting the work of the Better Bike Share Partnership since its inception in 2014. The new funding will assist a second round of Living Lab grantees, which will address barriers preventing the use of shared micromobility in low-income and BIPOC communities nationwide. Grant funds will also finance the Transportation Justice Fellowship to continue supporting professional development for people of color working in the transportation field, as well as NACTO’s shared micromobility roundtable, mini-grants, and a robust storytelling platform.

“Over the last nine years, the Better Bike Share Partnership has been instrumental in addressing issues of equity, access, diversity, inclusion, and justice in the shared micromobility industry. Through grants, research projects, written guidance, presentations, and technical assistance support, BBSP has helped cities and operators implement bike and scooter systems that help folks travel to much-needed resources,” says Waffiyah Murray, Indego program manager at OTIS. “The City of Philadelphia is honored to be a partner in this work, serving as a living example of how BBSP best practices are successful when implemented in an intentional and meaningful way.”

“With more than a half-billion trips in the U.S. since 2010, shared micromobility is an important and growing transportation option in hundreds of cities across North America,” said Cary Bearn, senior program manager for biking at NACTO. “Because of the Better Bike Share Partnership, equity is a central part of the conversation about shared micromobility. NACTO is excited to continue collaborating with PeopleForBikes and the City of Philadelphia for another three years to support cities and operators in making sure these popular systems are equitably serving low-income areas and communities of color.”

The Better Bike Share Partnership plans on disseminating final reports for its first Living Labs cohort by the end of the year. Applications for the new cohort will open in early 2024. In the meantime, the partnership is working with the North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association (NABSA) to revamp its Workforce Diversity Toolkit. BBSP will also continue to cover the work of its current grantees, as well as relevant research in the shared micromobility space at www.betterbikeshare.org.


About the Better Bike Share Partnership
The Better Bike Share Partnership is a collaboration funded by The JPB Foundation to increase access to and the use of shared micromobility systems in low-income and BIPOC communities. The partners include The City of Philadelphia, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and PeopleForBikes. Learn more at BetterBikeShare.org.

PeopleForBikes is the U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association and a national advocacy nonprofit representing more than 325 bicycle industry supplier members and nearly 1.4 million individuals. Through our three areas of influence — infrastructure, policy, and participation — we accelerate the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to bike; advance pro-bike and pro-bike-business legislation; and reduce barriers to access and welcome more people to the joys of riding a bike. Our goal: Become the best place to ride a bike in the world. Join us at PeopleForBikes.org.

About the National Association of City Transportation Officials

NACTO is an association of 96 major North American cities and transit agencies formed to exchange transportation ideas, insights, and practices and cooperatively approach national transportation issues. The organization’s mission is to build cities as places for people, with safe, sustainable, accessible, and equitable transportation choices that support a strong economy and vibrant quality of life. Learn more at NACTO.org.

PeopleForBikes Receives Grant to Keep Shared Micromobility Equitable

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First Time Bikers

PeopleForBikes at Work on First Time Bikers

News

Five Ways to Boost Employee Engagement During May Bike Month

More Americans Rode a Bike Than Ever Before in 2024

PeopleForBikes Industry Community Grants Are Supporting Youth Bicycling Nationwide

Should You Buy Your Kid an E-Bike?

Research Highlights the Positive Impact of In-School Cycling

PeopleForBikes Receives Grant to Keep Shared Micromobility Equitable