Bike Month is a month-long celebration of biking in May in collaboration with dedicated community members. New Haven Bike Month and New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation are partnering to coordinate this year’s activities — in close collaboration with volunteers and supporters.
If you'd like to add an event during Bike Month to the calendar, please fill out this form. For example, earth-themed bike rides, bike-decorating events, public art initiatives, film screenings, neighborhood block parties, and more.
Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride
A large, annual community bike ride that is New Haven's largest celebration of Earth Day! The ride is traditionally from West Rock to East Rock and supports 20+ local nonprofits doing environmental work.
When: Saturday, April 27th
Register now and Learn more
Bike Ride en el Barrio for HUSKY 4 Immigrants
On Sunday April 28, join HUSKY 4 Immigrant and the Semilla Collective for a bike ride in New Haven. We want to make our campaign visible while promoting healthy activities. We'll have a bike mechanic on site so come at 1:30pm if you need to work on your bike!
When: Sunday, April 28th, 2-5pm
Where: Corner of Edgewood Avenue & Ella T Grasso Boulevard
Learn more here
New Haven Bike Party
WE ARE BACK WITH FLOWER POWER IN HONOR OF LILAC SEASON! New Haven Bike Party is a costume-friendly, SLOW social ride. We ride 8-10ish miles. We ride, we take breaks, we ride again! Are you interested, but worried everyone will leave you behind...? No way! We got you! We ride as a group. It's not a race, but a PARTY! It's about saying hello to your neighbors and enjoying a beautiful ride with friends. Grab a bike and let's get ready to ride! This is a night bike ride, which means we'll be riding in the dark, at certain points. Please bring front and rear lights. Remember to bring some water!
When: Friday, May 10th — meet at 7:30pm, leave at 8pm
Where: Meet @ New Haven Green
Learn more here
Catch a Vibe Ride
Join Radical Adventure Riders (RAR) for this beginner friendly, no-drop (no one gets left behind) ride with new friends and snacks! This ride is only for trans, femme, non-binary and women folks.
When: Saturday May 18, 2:30-3:30pm
Where: Meet at the gazebo in Edgewood Park
The Almost Perfect Rides
Inspired by a ride True Cyclery organized some years back, let’s get on our bikes and ride some of the most popular climbs in the New Haven area! There are 5 rides to choose from, so choose the one that seems just out of reach and then GO FOR IT! This is a completely self-supported ride. There will be no organization, and you'll be riding on roads open to car traffic. There are markings on the linked routes for recommended places to stop for food and water. Please pay attention to cautionary markings as well! You are responsible for your own safety.
When: Saturday, May 4th
Learn more here
2nd Annual East Rock Century by New Haven Bicycling Club
Ride up and down east rock until you reach 100 miles! (or 100km or any other goal you set for yourself!) It's not a race; there will be no timekeeping. If you want to ride one lap and then hang out at the top cheering people on, that's 100% encouraged! Route can be found here. There will also be an afterparty at East Rock Brewery at 6pm!
When: Saturday, June 8th
Where: East Rock Park (corner of Farnam Dr. and East Rock Rd.)
Contact: info@newhavenbicyclingclub.org
Register here and Learn More
Dream Of The 90's is an all-terrain checkpoint Poker Ride and Best In Ride competition
A completely different AND vintage ride. Dream Of The 90's is an all-terrain checkpoint Poker Ride and Best In Ride competition. Riders will visit 5 checkpoints to collect a hand of poker cards. Best hand for each category wins cash and merchandise. Riders can enter multiple categories or purchase additional hands. The BEST IN RIDE GRAND PRIZE will be given to a bicycle from the DREAM OF THE 90's category that completes the ride. BEST IN RIDE will be voted on by a panel of pedaling peers.
When: Saturday, May 11th at 9am
Where: 18 Selden Street, Woodbridge, CT
Contact: Kurt D’Aniello, kurtdaniello@gmail.com, D'Aniello's Amity Bike Shop
Register here and learn more
Ride to Northamption | Registration Required
Outspokin will be riding from New Haven to Northampton MA (80 miles). We leave from the flagpole on the New Haven Green at 8am. Coffee stop in Southington, lunch in Southwick MA, and dinner in Northampton. Cars will be in Northampton for the return. This ride requires a reservation.
When: Sunday, May 26th
Contact: Paul Proulx (pauljproulx@comcast.net) to register
Outspokin’ Sunday Rides
Join Outspokin’ rides to go on leisurely rides with other that love cycling through the city.
When: Every Sunday at 10am
Where: 49 Cottage St, New Haven, CT 06511
Contact: Paul Proulx (pauljproulx@comcast.net)
Outspokin’ Bike Month Ice Cream Social rides
Wednesday evenings in May will feature the return of the Ice Cream Social Rides. A different ice cream parlor will be the destination each Wednesday. The ride is a no-drop conversational pace (8-10 mph) ride. The ride will total from 10 – 20 miles. Helmets are required and lights are recommended.
When: 5:45pm for a 6pm departure
Where: Flagpole on the New Haven Green
Contact: Paul Proulx, pauljproulx@comcast.net
Coffee Outside
Bike up East Rock and drink hot drinks at the top with new pals! Organized by the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op.
* Beginner friendly, no-drop ride
* Ride pace: ~10mph
* Mileage: 5-7 miles
* Bring coffee/tea/cider to drink at the top
When: Every Friday at 8am
Where: Meet at Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op (138 Bradley Street)
New Haven Bicycling Club Weekly Rides (Multiple Levels)
Rides begin at Wilbur Cross High School parking lot on Orange Street, and end at P&M on Orange Street!
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30pm
Learn more here
Long Wharf Group Ride
Join community members, school staff, and students on a joyful bike ride on the bike trails of Long Wharf! We’ll begin at Metropolitan Business Academy at 115 Water Street, and make stops at the Canal Dock Boathouse, view the New Haven coastline, food trucks, Long Wharf Nature Preserve, Sound School and the remarkably energy efficient Hotel Marcel. The ride is about 4 miles long, on separated bike lanes and bike paths to Long Wharf Nature Preserve and back. We’ll have ride marshals who will moderate the pace and make sure no one is ‘dropped’ off the back of the group. This fun ride is also the New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation’s “Bike Skills 202” on-bike class.
When: Thursday, May 30th
Learn more here
Fair Haven Day!
Join your neighbors for Fair Haven Day, a parade and festival celebrating community, local art and artists, culture, sports, creativity, entrepreneurship, and partnership, presented by and for the Fair Haven neighborhood. Fair Haven Day begins with the Fair Haven Community Parade organized by the Mary Wade Home, followed by a full day of activities at the Arts & Ideas Fair Haven Neighborhood Festival. During Fair Haven, Bike Month will be giving away a free kids bikes (with helmets, locks, and lights provided) for participants in NCAT’s bike rodeo. In addition, volunteers from the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op will be providing free bike repair.
When: Saturday, May 6th, 11am-8pm
Learn more
Bike to Work Week
A full week of Bike to Work days throughout the city — can you do them all?
May 13th, Breakfast at State Street Station | 7:30 - 9:30 AM, Co-hosted by City of New Haven Transportation Traffic and Parking (TT&P) and NCAT - Facebook Event
May 14th, Breakfast in The Hill/Medical Area at Corner of York Street & Cedar at Hunter Courtyard | 7:00 - 9:00 AM, Sponsored by Yale New Haven Health and Co-hosted by Meghan Currey, NCAT, and Andy Orefice - Facebook Event
May 15th, Breakfast in West River/Edgewood (Monitor Square, Winthrop Ave and Chapel Street) | 7:30 - 9:30 AM, Sponsored by Yale New Haven Health and Co-hosted by NCAT, John Fitzpatrick, and Andy Orefice - Facebook Event
May 15th, Happy Hour outside Fussy Coffee (Winchester Ave and Munson St) | 4:30 - 6:30 PM, Co-hosted by Frances Osugi, NCAT, Friends of Farmington Canal - Facebook Event - RAIN OR SHINE!
May 16th, Breakfast in Westville (Elm City Montessori School, 495 Blake St) | 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM, Co-hosted by NCAT, Elm City Montesorri, and Westville Village Renaissance Alliance - Facebook Event - RAIN OR SHINE!
May 16th, Dinner and Afterschool Snacks at the Learning Corridor (224 Shelton Ave along the Farmington Canal) | 4:30 - 6:30 PM, Co-hosted by CPEN and NCAT - Facebook Event
May 17th, Breakfast on the Farmington Canal | 7:00 - 9:00 AM, Co-hosted by Yale University, Friends of Farmington Canal — Learn more here
Greater Hartford Bike to Work Breakfast
A third of vehicle miles traveled in Connecticut are trips less than 10 miles. Half of those are less than 5 miles. Join a May 14th Bike to Work Day Breakfast for your health, for the climate, and to ease congestion on our roads by trading out one of those short car trips for a fun bike ride. Participants can provide comments at a media event at the Old State House at the Bike to Work Breakfast. CTtransit will be bringing a bus and doing a bikes-on-bus demo and tabling, too.
When: Tuesday, May 14th, 7-9am
Where: 800 Main Street, Hartford (Old State House)
Learn more here
40th Anniversary Event: 1000 Bikes to Nicaragua
Join us for a reception/storytelling gathering as we recount the NHLSCP's volunteer-led effort to send 1000 bikes to Nicaragua throughout the 1990s. We couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate New Haven bike month and honor our 40-year history of solidarity with the people of Nicaragua! BSBC will also be accepting donations of bicycles or bike components in any condition to support their mission to build an equitable New Haven by getting people on bikes!
When: Sunday, May 19th from 3-5pm
Where: Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op (138 Bradley St, New Haven, CT 06511)
Drinks, food
Learn more here
Spring Zine Fair
Celebrate local art, friends and biking at the Spring Zine Fair. A dozen local zine makers and print artists will set up tables to share thier creations. Ride up to the Bradley St Bicycle Co-op to check out the event and enjoy the bike shop on it's down time.
When: Saturday May 11, 12-4pm
Where: Bradley Street Bicycle Coop (138 Bradley Street)
Radical Adventure Riders First Friday Shop Hours
RAR First Fridays are a time for mechanics and chilling at Bradley St Bike Co-op and it’s ONLY for folks who identify as trans, nonbinary or women. Come to work on your own bike or volunteer to fix others, come to literally just chill! BSBC is not a full service bike shop, so the mechanics present can help teach you to work on your own bike but they won’t fix it for you.
When: Friday, May 3rd, 6-9pm
Where: Bradley Street Bicycle Coop (138 Bradley Street)
Bicycle Repair Clinics in The Hill
Bradley St Bicycle Co-op is partnering with the Wilson Branch Library in The Hill neighborhood of New Haven to offer free bicycle repairs for neighbors and residents. Bring your bike by to check the brakes, fix a flat tire and more. Volunteers are encouraged to attend to assist with bicycle repairs.
When: Mondays in May, 4-5:30pm (May 6th, 13th, and 20th)
Where: Wilson Branch Library (303 Washington Avenue)
Bike Box Repair Clinics in Newhallville
Bradley St Bicycle Co-op is partnering with Community Placemaking Engagement Network to host free bicycle repair clinics at the Newhallville Bike Box. Neighbors and residents are encouraged to bring your bike by for tune-ups and repairs. Volunteers are encouraged to attend to assist with bicycle repairs.
When: Saturdays, May 11 and 25 from 10am-1pm
Where: Learning Corridor, Hazel and Shelton Avenue
Learn more here
Town Green’s Movies in the Plaza
Movies in the Plaza is back, bringing you free Wednesday night movie screenings May through October in downtown New Haven’s beloved Pitkin Plaza! Grab your lawn chairs, picnic blankets and some takeout from a local spot, and spend an evening under the stars enjoying blockbusters, nostalgic blasts from the past, cult favorites, family films for all ages, and more. For Bike Month, Town Green will be showing an iconic bike movie: E.T.!
When: May 22nd
Where: Pitkin Plaza (145 Orange Street)
Learn more here
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Outside of New Haven, there are also event happening in neighboring towns and cities! We will be adding to this list below:
Bike Passport Month in West Haven by West Haven Parks & Recreation
Bikers will collect 8 stamps from one of the 15 stamp locations along the shoreline (or 2 non-shorelines businesses) and be entered into a drawing for a gift card. The first 14 completed passports win a free bike helmet. Contact: mlongo@westhaven-ct.gov, 203-887-0631.
In 2024, Bike Month is co-organized by New Haven Bike Month, New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation, and many other organizations and volunteers.