May is National Bike Month, and we’ve found cycling events in the Wichita area to help you get out and enjoy it.
Most of these Bike Month events are free or very inexpensive, and – bonus! – you’ll definitely save on fuel as you pedal around town.
Bike Walk Wichita has a wealth of information on riding in town, including Bike Skills classes if you want to brush up on maintenance, riding in the city of Wichita, commuting by bicycle, or bike-riding basics.
Haven’t ridden in a while? No worries – it really is like riding a bike. But don’t miss the numerous classes and events this month that will help it all come back to you, like:
Bike Month Wichita Events
2022:
Friday, May 20 – Bike to Work Day lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Old Town Farm and Art Market. Air up your tires and bike to work on National Bike to Work Day and Bike/Walk Wichita people will just GIVE you free food. Jimmy Johns sandwich and chips for the first 100 people.
Previous years:
May 1 Roll the River Ride & Photo Shoot from noon to 2 p.m. east of the Keeper of the Plains along the Arkansas River. Look good, because Bike Share ICT photographers will be taking pictures of all the folks out riding (and you might even get some free swag from them, as long as supplies last). They’d like you to wear a helmet. You can bring your one bike or rent one at a nearby Bike Share ICT station. Free. more info
May 3 (Haysville) Mayor’s Bike Ride at 6 p.m. in Dorner Park, Haysville
May 8 McCormick Neighborhood Bike Walk Social from 2-4 p.m. at Westside Church of God. Bicycle obstacle course for children, refreshments. Free. More info at bikewalkwichita.org/upcoming-events
May 15 Derby Kite and Bike Fest from 1-4 p.m. in High Park and a few activities at other locations in town.
May 16 Wicked Wind 100k Bicycle Ride from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake Afton Pavilion in Goddard. More info
May 16 Evergreen Bike Jam & Slow Roll and Stroll from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Nomar International Market. Free. More info
May 21 Bike to Work Day
May 23 Safe City Cycling class Discounted for Bike Month! from 1-4:30 at Bike Walk Wichita. Learn how to safely ride the streets of Wichita, parking lot drills and bike-handling practice, then an actual ride on the road. Only $5 per person Bike Month ICT special; advance registration is required. Link to register.
Bonus! June 5 Riverfest Slow Roll from 4-5 p.m.
See more Bike/Walk Wichita activities we’ve written about here
So get out to the shed and dust your bike off or get to a store for a shiny new one and take a ride this month, whether that’s part of an organized activity or just around your own neighborhood.
(Wichita bike fact: It is legal to ride on the sidewalks here. Except, as Karen reminded me in the comments, in the Central Business District.)
Bike Month ICT has a list of events happening here in Wichita this month.
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Past events:
Pedal-Palooza Bike Month Kickoff at WAM, May 2, 6-8 p.m. Ride your wheels to the Wichita Art Museum and get free admission! They’ll have a cash bar and small bites available for purchase, then enjoy a sunset easy-roll bike ride through Riverside beginning at about 7:30 p.m. Free. More info
Bike Month Discount at Elderslie Farm On several datesbetween May 11 and May 31, ride your bike to Elderslie Farm in Valley Center and they’ll give you a FREE scone. Dates & Times:
Fridays and Saturdays, May 11-31 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Tuesdays through Thursdays, May 14-May 30 from 8-11 a.m.
More info on Elderslie Bike Month discount
Scholfield Honda Passport and Pedals Scholfield wants to show off how bike-friendly the Honda Passport is. They’ll be hosting a FREE customer appreciation event on May 16 from 3-7 p.m. with the Bicycle Pedaler, Bicycle Exchange, and Bike ICT. At the event, which is held at the east Wichita location, new and used bicycles will be for sale and you’ll get bike repair tips and how-tos, information on upcoming bike events in Wichita, see the different kinds of bike racks that are available, and of course check out the Honda Passport. They’ll also have a craft beer truck, food, and more. Family-friendly and adult-friendly event. Register in advance here at Eventbrite.
Bike to Work Day Breakfast Stations May 17, 6:30-9:30 a.m. Ride your bike to work and stop off at one of several Bike to Work Day breakfast stations for a FREE morning snack of Great Harvest Power Bars, fruit, water, and resources. Locations in east, downtown, south, and northwest Wichita, to name a few. At the Old Town location, Jajo marketing agency will host a large pancake breakfast starting at 7 a.m. More info
Bike to Work Lunch May 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Roll in to the Old Town Farmers Market Square for FREE sandwiches, chips, desert and water in celebration of Bike Month and Bike Share ICT’s second birthday. (While supplies last; first come, first served.) At 12:15 they’ll have the birthday celebration and special announcements. More info
Bicycle Festival at Sharon Baptist Church [The date and time changed! It’s now going to be on May 29, 6-8 p.m.] Bike Walk Wichita and SBC are teaming up for an event that will include safety demonstrations, bike decorating, light bicycle repair, helmet-fitting, youth bicycle giveaways, and more. Helmets are required for any riding during the festival. More info
Wichita by Bike Class May 25, 1-4 p.m. Learn about the best places to ride in this Bike Walk Wichita “Intro to Biking ICT” class. You’ll also get safe riding tips and bicycling resources in our city. After classroom instruction, you’ll practice your skills in the parking lot and then go for a ride together. Class is $15 and you need to pre-register. More info
6 Responses
It’s technically still illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk in Central Business District zoning, but it’s one of those ordinances that the City/WPD recognizes as outdated and only enforces when sidewalks are crowded (which is the intent of the ordinance).
Conversely, it’s legal to ride in the street even if there are sidewalks/bike paths available.
Oh, that’s a good point. I think I had heard that about the Central Business District, but had forgotten.
I’m personally too chicken to ride in the street. I think I need a little bell on my bike before I attempt that. 🙂
The central business district is a forever evolving district too. It would be hard to actually define what makes up the central business district.