SBCAG staff
By Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG)
Get ready to jump on a bike this May and take part in CycleMAYnia 2023. More than 23 events and activities countywide are being offered as part of celebrating national bike month, each uniquely designed for kids, families, adults, and commuters.
The public can join CycleMAYnia events and take on challenges to earn achievement badges for sponsored giveaways plus the chance to win an electric Radwagon cargo bike. There are also hidden badges participants can unlock for more chances to win throughout the month. A calendar of events, activities, and details on how to earn achievement badges is available online at CycleMAYnia.org.
“We are excited to kick-off CycleMAYnia and cannot wait to for people to get on their bikes and ride with many fun events and activities planned for everyone,” said Kent Epperson, SBCAG director of Traffic Solutions, “Our goal is to encourage the public to try two, and even three, wheeled transportation rather than driving alone in their cars. SBCAG Traffic Solutions will be at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival on April 29 and 30 to kick-off CycleMAYnia by offering opportunities to test ride a variety of electric bicycles. It’ll be fresh air and smiles every day.”
The countywide Bike Challenge offers an inclusive variety of ways to participate, including electric bicycle showcases and demos, infrastructure design workshops, group rides, education classes on safe riding and bike maintenance, nature rides, a Chicano culture and history ride, and mayor’s rides throughout the county.
The Santa Ynez Valley Healthy Eating Active Living Coalition (HEAL) is hosting the first-ever Open Streets event in Buellton, California on May 21 as part of CycleMAYnia. The event offers the public a unique opportunity to experience a safe and temporary car-free space on streets and roads while enjoying the beautiful scenery and attractions of the region.
“CycleMAYnia 2023 has something for everyone, whether you are new to cycling, a parent, a bike enthusiast, or curious about electric bikes,” said Peter Williamson, SBCAG program coordinator. “I hope the public takes an opportunity to check out the variety of fun activities planned for, and by, the community to celebrate the joy of bicycling that brings us together for a healthier and more positive community.”
CycleMAYnia is a public/private collaboration using community resources and South Coast Measure A Bicycle and Pedestrian funds to organize activities for the community. CycleMAYnia 2023 partners include: Rad Power Bikes, MOVE, Jersey Mike’s, BCycle, Electric Bikes of SB, Bikemaps.org, Cycling Without Age, Chicano Culture de Santa Barbara, Transitions-Mental Health Association, Montecito Bank & Trust, Cottage Health, County of Santa Barbara, and the Cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Lompoc, Buellton, and Santa Maria.
For community members who are not able to ride a bike, CycleMAYnia has partnered with Cycling Without Age to offer piloted trishaw rides. The trishaws can fit two community members on one bench seat or a single community member in a wheelchair. The public can call (805) 963-7283 to reserve a spot for any CycleMAYnia event.
Information on the EZBike Challenge and a calendar of bike month activities is available on the CycleMAYnia website at CycleMAYnia.org.
ABOUT TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS
Traffic Solutions is a division of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and serves as the countywide rideshare organization with a mission to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality by encouraging people to drive less and use sustainable transportation.
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 such as San Luis Obispo and Portland, Oregon, 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. Since 2010 our Bike Month on the South Coast has been filled with activities organized by local businesses, organizations, and community members with coordination and support from Traffic Solutions.
OK, have fun. But “bike culture” is a weird concept. Bicycles are machines for the benefit of humans and they are not a “cultural” attribute of a society. When appropriate to the task they should be used, not deified. And the non believers should not be vilified.
cul·ture
noun
noun: culture; plural noun: cultures
1.
the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
“20th century popular culture”
Can’t see that riding a bicycle is an example of the human intellectual achievement. That is the point of the commentary.
huh? that’s just weird….and if they want to call it a culture, why not? i know a lot of social groups related to cycling. I know of many cycling teams, on and off road….so what’s your point?
Every party has a pooper.
Looking at that picture, all I can see is a bunch of motor vehicles. Is there a real bike among them? Hooray for getting out of your cars anyway, I guess.
about half of them are manual powered bikes, and yes, they are not in cars and they are still getting exercise. I use an ebike to commute to work and back daily, i still get a good work out. on weekends, i use my standard mountain bike. even on an ebike, you still peddle, still move, still get your heart rate up….not as much as being 100% manual.
Kane, in terms of being a purist: Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Sounds great, and when you’re out on the road here’s a bit of advice – obey the rules of the road.