SBCAG staff
Celebrating 15 Years of CycleMAYnia: Join over 40 events and activities for kids, families, adults, and commuters during National Bike Month and enter-to-win a RadWagon 5 electric cargo bike.
Spring has arrived, marking the perfect time to celebrate the 15th annual “CycleMAYnia” in Santa Barbara County. Throughout May, the public is invited to join over 40 community events and local businesses participating in a Bike Challenge countywide for CycleMAYnia as part of National Bike Month. Details are available online at CycleMAYnia.org.
The 2024 CycleMAYnia theme is “Spring is here. Bikes are in bloom.”
“We’re excited to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CycleMAYnia. This event marks National Bike Month and inspires the community to come together and explore alternative modes of transportation,” said Aaron Bonfilio, director of multimodal programs at SBCAG.
Participants in CycleMAYnia have the unique opportunity to win a RadWagon 5 Electric Cargo Bike. By joining any event or bicycling to any participating local business, attendees can collect special flower and herb seed packets. These packets include instructions on how to enter the RadWagon giveaway.
“This engaging initiative not only promotes more sustainable modes of transportation but also connects the community with local businesses, all while providing a chance to win an exciting prize,” Bonfilio said.
This year’s CycleMAYnia calendar features traditional favorites such as the Chicano Culture de Santa Barbara Cinco de Mayo Mural Ride, Mayors’ Ride, Trail Mix ride in Santa Maria, and many Bike-to-Work Day events, including one hosted for the first time by Santa Barbara City College (SBCC). New additions include the Bike 2 Bird nature ride in Goleta, Bike to Ice Cream in Santa Maria, and a Bike to the Park event in Solvang.
Members of the public can also ride to any of the 24 CycleMAYnia supporting local businesses from Santa Maria and New Cuyama to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria to participate anytime during May. The locations are featured on an interactive map at CycleMAYnia.org/events/bikechallenge.
Other local businesses have stepped forward to support CycleMAYnia, participants who log their bike trips on Smartride.org in May are eligible for a $200 giveaway from Jersey Mike’s Subs.
“CycleMAYnia 2024 has something for everyone, whether you ride to the local bike repair spot in Lompoc or pedal along with a family ride on Carpinteria’s newest bike path,” said Peter Williamson, program coordinator at SBCAG. “We are especially proud to partner with Cycling Without Age providing piloted trishaw rides to members for those unable to bike.”
To support inclusivity and accessibility, Cycling Without Age provides piloted trishaws at no cost for individuals with limited mobility wishing to participate in a CycleMAYnia event. These specially designed trishaws can accommodate two individuals on one bench seat or one person in a wheelchair, making the joy of bicycling accessible to everyone. Members of the public are encouraged to call (805) 845-9855, extension 3, to reserve their spot for any CycleMAYnia event at least seven days in advance.
Each flower and herb seed packet that participants receive at an event or local business comes with a unique code, accompanied by instructions on how to enter these codes for a chance to win the grand prize. Those who participate in multiple events can receive a collectible Stik N Stuck CycleMAYnia patch while supplies last.
CycleMAYnia is a collaborative effort between public entities and private organizations, leveraging community resources and South Coast Measure A Bicycle and Pedestrian funds to foster and support community-driven activities. CycleMAYnia 2024 partners include: Rad Power Bikes, MOVE Santa Barbara County, Cottage Health, BCycle, Cycling Without Age, Chicano Culture de Santa Barbara, County of Santa Barbara, and the Cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, and Santa Maria.
Information on the Bike Challenge and a calendar of bike month activities is available on the CycleMAYnia website at CycleMAYnia.org.
HISTORY OF CYCLEMAYNIA
Founded in 2009, CycleMAYnia began as a community brainstorming meeting aimed at jump starting a vibrant bike culture here in Santa Barbara County. Inspired by events and programs in other towns, the hope was that by engaging the cycling community directly and bringing them into the fold as collaborators, a dynamic calendar of events could be created and co-managed that celebrates National Bike Month in May. Expanding the reach of cycling to a greater number of riders and connecting to a more diverse demographic brings the joy and benefits of biking to as many people as possible in the greater Santa Barbara area.
15 years since I won the naming contest for this event (with some help from Lori La Riva and/or Ed France who suggested capitalizing MAY). So glad that it’s still going strong.