May 2025: We're Michigan's advocacy organization of the year!
Bike Month includes Bike & Roll to School Day, Bike to Wherever Day, and Bike Advocacy Day (May 13), when we'll receive two awards in Lansing from the League of Michigan Bicyclists!
Welcome to Wheelie Good News, published by the Bicycle Alliance of Washtenaw! Below, you’ll find a list of bike-related events throughout the month of May in Washtenaw County. Stay up to date with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky.
Volunteer with us! Meet us at HOMES Brewery on the last Wednesday of each month at 7pm, and check out our opportunities and events here.
What we’re up to:
The League of Michigan Bicyclists has named us Advocacy Organization of the Year and given the Tara Gluski Changemaker Award to our co-founder, Nate Phipps! We’re excited for the ceremony on Bike & Trail Advocacy Day, May 13.
Now that Ann Arbor’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries has officially failed, our Safety for Stadium petition urges Council to fund road diets and protected bike lanes for Stadium Blvd. and Maple Rd.
We’ve rebooted our website! It lays out who we are, what we do, and how you can help build biking culture, around here or wherever you are.
Our first Handlebar Happy Hour of 2025 will be held on Wednesday, May 7, from 5-7pm at Bløm Mead + Cider! Pizza, drinks, and good vibes guaranteed.
On the Wheelie Good podcast
Peter Houk's advocacy career may have started in the sewer, but Ann Arbor is a lot safer for vulnerable road users since he moved his focus above ground.
After his first bike bus at his daughter's elementary school attracted 60 cyclists, Andy Burkhardt learned the first rule of organization: Just start. If you build it, they will ride.
As president of the Ann Arbor Velo Club, Kari Alsager says it's hard to beat the feeling of hurtling down a dirt road (especially when most of it collects on her face).
Happening This Month
Maps and Taps | Wed, May 1 @ 5pm
At HOMES Campus, celebrate the opening of trail season and support the B2B Trail as the Huron Waterway Initiative shares its plans for 2025. Tickets required.
getDowntown Commuter Challenge | May 1 - 31
Sign up (and come to the launch event on May 7) to spend Bike Month choosing sustainable transportation for travel to and from work. The more co-workers get involved, the greater your chance to win the workplace prize!
Sic Transit Spring Fundo | Sun, May 4
Register here for a free, self-supported, untimed ride through the dirt roads and bike paths of Washtenaw County. The 50- and 25-mile routes will run through Whitmore Lake, Hudson Mills Metro Park, and Dexter (then back to Ann Arbor for drinks).
Do it for Dan Memorial Ride | Sun, May 4 @ 3pm
All cyclists, walkers, runners, etc. are welcome to Brighton for this fundraising effort to support safe mobility in Livingston County. This event is free to attend, although we ask that you make a donation to support Dan’s legacy.
Ann Arbor Velo Club Spring Training Series | Sun, May 4 and May 18
This clinic includes demonstrations, small- and large-group instruction, drills, a short practice race, and talks led by licensed coaches and experienced racers. Each session applies core group riding skills and concepts to a different aspect of group riding.
Bike & Roll to School Day | Wed, May 7
Register here to create an event to help make safer routes to school and encourage kids to be more active. And capture the spirit in the first-ever image contest! Check here to see if your school is participating—and if it isn’t, here’s how to get started!
👉 Handlebar Happy Hour | Wed, May 7 @ 5pm
Meet us at Bløm Mead + Cider! We’ll have pizza! (See above.)
Meet Marley Blonsky of All Bodies on Bikes | Fri, May 9 @ 6pm
All Bodies on Bikes is a movement to encourage people of every size to ride bikes. Meet co-founder Marley Blonsky for a presentation and Q&A at the Auburn Hills Community Center, followed by a group ride at 11am on Saturday!
Bike to Wherever Day | Wed, May 14
Organizations throughout greater Ann Arbor will set up Bike Commuting Stations with food, drinks, minor bike adjustments, and free giveaways for cyclists.
Sic Transit Bike Camping | Sat/Sun, May 17-18
The 30-mile ride leaves from Sic Transit Cycles for an overnight bike/camping journey to a nearby campground. Check our website for updates and info for first-time riders, including bike and camp gear sharing.
Huron River Day | Sun, May 18
Enjoy free, family-friendly river activities, with discounted boat rentals, children's activities, river exhibits, music, and food trucks/carts. We’ll serve as bike valets!
Ride of Silence | Wed, May 21 @ 7pm
Join cyclists worldwide for a silent, slow-paced, 9-mile ride that honors those who have been injured or killed while cycling.
Bløm Ride | Sun, May 25
Leave from Bløm Mead + Cider for a free, self-supported mixed-terrain ride. Go as fast or as slow as you like, along one of three routes: 50k, 100k, and 100 miles.
Ann Arbor Cargo Bike Rally | Sun, Jun 1 @ 3pm
Our friends at Urban Rider Cargo Bikes are kicking off A2ZERO Week (June 1-7) with a festival of games, goodies, treats, live music, face painting, a bubbly family bike ride—and, of course, cargo bikes galore!
GRAVEL MI! | Sun, Jun 15 @ 3pm
Celebrate fitmi’s 10th anniversary with Seven Cycles and support bike advocacy in Washtenaw County! We’ll have a 30-mile bike ride over dirt roads (with special surprise stops!), a food truck, and special anniversary merch.
On the Regular
Meetings
Urbanism Happy Hour — 4th Thursday of the month, 5:30 - 7pm
Advocate for affordable housing, bikeable streets, and improved public transit.
Common Cycle Steering Committee — 3rd Sunday of the month, 4 - 5:30pm
All are welcome to discuss a variety of organization business.
Walk Bike Washtenaw — 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6:30 - 8:30pm
All who want to make the county safer for pedestrians and cyclists are welcome!
Repairs and Volunteer Opportunities
Ypsi Bike Coop Repair Booth — Saturdays, 9am - 1pm.
Check for locations at Ypsi Farmers Market and Pull Over Prevention
Common Cycle Community Workspace — Sundays, 11am - 3pm.
Volunteers at Common Cycle will help repair your bike.
Bike Park Work Days — Sundays, 10am - noon
Volunteer for trail maintenance work at Tuebingen and Bandemer Bike Parks.
Rides and Races
In addition to Ann Arbor Bike Party on the last Friday of each (warm) month, there are regular rides for all surfaces, lengths, and skill levels. Check the calendars below!
Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
Ann Arbor Velo Club
City of Ann Arbor
Common Cycle
Find A Race — Michigan
League of Michigan Bicyclists
Michigan Bicycle Law
Michigan Bicycle Racing Association
Mountain Bike Michigan
Wheels In Motion
Ypsi Real
Thanks for subscribing, and feedback is always welcome. Here’s to a beautiful month on the streets, paths, trails, and jumps all over Washtenaw County!
The Bicycle Alliance of Washtenaw
