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.

1. Find Your Bike Month Champion(s)

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. 

2. Remove Barriers

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. 

3. Build Community

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. 

4. Have Fun

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

5. Surprise and Delight

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!