ALL BPAC INITIATED RIDES REQUIRE BICYCLISTS TO WEAR HELMETS; BICYCLES MUST BE IN ROAD-WORTHY CONDITION ; AND PROPERLY OUTFITTED WITH APPROPRIATE LIGHTS AND/OR REFLECTORS.

For 55 years, National Bike Month has been the perfect time for new or returning riders to get back on the saddle and ride their bike to work. Help BPAC celebrate Bike Month in Columbia by participating in all the events we have planned for the month of May! From beginners to pros, there is something for everyone this month. Join us in our month long “cycle”bration.

April 27: Our Bike Month “cycle”bration kicks off a little early with the Mayor’s Famously Hot Bike Ride. Meet us at the Seibels House on April 27, 2013 for a bike tour led by Mayor Benjamin. The tour will take you on an almost 3 mile family-friendly ride through downtown Columbia and showcase some of the city's most historic sites like the Mann-Simons Cottage and the Hampton-Preston Mansion. A longer, nearly 7 mile ride is also available for more experienced riders.

May 1: Mayor Benjamin will proclaim May as Bike Month in the City Of Columbia and unveil a brand new bike parking program at 1 p.m. in front of City Hall.

May 4: BPAC has partnered with Safe Routes to School, Safe Kids, City of Columbia Parks and Recreation and City of Columbia Police Department to present the Columbia Family Bike Rodeo. The rodeo will be at Finlay Park from 9-11:30 a.m. There will be safety check stations and other fun interactive stations and information for all ages. It is a morning full of family bike riding around one of Columbia’s beautiful parks. Families can register by clicking here.

May 6: It’s opening night of the month long bike themed films at the Nickelodeon. "Breaking Away" will be the first featured film of Bike Month. We need a HUGE turnout for this. Let's sell out the theatre! Invite friends, family or co-workers and ride your bike to the Nick and park in the bike corral across the street.

May 8: Join Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine for Handlebar Happy Hour at Publick House on Devine St. and enjoy food and refreshments! Let’s talk about ways to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety!

May10: "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" will make anyone believe they can ride a bike. Bring friends and family to the Nick at 11 p.m. for this throwback film.

May 11: Take a family bike ride Saturday morning downtown. Grab an early lunch on Main St. and head to the Nick at noon for the family friendly bike movie "ET.”

May 15: Ride of Silence. Organized by Summit Cycles bike shop, the bike will begin at 7 p.m. For more details on the Ride of Silence, please visit www.summitcyclesbikeshop.com.

May 16: The Bike Summit Forum will be held at the Big Apple from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mayor Wharton from Memphis, TN along with Wade Walker of Fuss &O'Neill will be the guest speakers of the forum. Mayor Wharton has transformed his City with the commitment to new bike and pedestrian infrastructure. This is a working workshop to have the opportunity to really dig deep and learn how other cities have been transformed. A special announcement of Bike Pedestrian Master Plan for Columbia will be made during the forum. Video of the summit will be available to the public on the City's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ColumbiaSCGovernment.  

May 17: It’s Bike to Work Day! Meet at the steps of the State House at 8 a.m. and ride down Main Street to Mast General Store. Come that morning and show your support for wanting safe choices and opportunities for Columbia to commute to work.

May 18:  Cycling A to Z: This comprehensive course will be instructed by LCI certified Will and Anna Haltiwanger and will be held at the Soda City Market from 9-11:30 a.m. Everything from tune-ups to safety tips to skills training, there is something for everyone at this course. Invite friends to this great instructional course and then ride your bike to the Nick to see “Klunkerz” at noon!

May 18: At high Noon, the Nick will be featuring a series of documentaries on biking. To pre-order tickets, visit http://www.nickelodeon.org.

May 25: At noon a highly acclaimed international film "Bicycle Thieves" will be the feature film at the Nick. Nobody should miss this film, it is fantastic!

May 28: Ladies Bike Ride- It’s ladies night! Meet at Jake’s Bar and Grill on Devine Street at 5:30 p.m. for a casual bike ride. All skill levels welcome! Help us close out Bike Month with a bang!