Events
CycleMAYnia Returns in May
April 30, 2021
More than 25 online and smaller in-person rides and activities available in Santa Barbara County’s Southcoast throughout the month of May.
Santa Barbara, Calif. – CycleMAYnia is back in 2021 as Santa Barbara County’s southcoast celebrates national bike month throughout May. More than 25 in-person bicycling activities and online events will be offered at the 12th annual event. In-person rides or activities have capacity limits with some requiring pre-registration to ensure equipment availability as well as the health and safety of all riders. The public is encouraged to check out the event calendar at cycleMAYnia.org and register for activities before they fill up.
Bicycling increased by 16 percent in the United States since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, highlighted by a April study published in the Transport Review Journal.
“We are thrilled to bring back the joy of CycleMAYnia this year,” said Marjie Kirn, Executive Director of SBCAG. “Bicycling has increased significantly in the United States since the COVID-19 pandemic and it is exciting to be able to formally offer online and smaller, in-person activities throughout the month of May to support the uptick in bicycling in our own community. I am particularly looking forward the two electric bike demo pop-ups in the cities of Goleta and Carpinteria as well as the Family Walk & Roll Bike to Nature Rides with the Coalition for Sustainable Transportation and Wilderness Youth Project.”
“CycleMAYnia 2021 has something for everyone, whether you are new to cycling, a parent, a bike nerd, or curious about electric bikes,” said Kent Epperson, Director of SBCSG’s Traffic Soutions. “I hope the public takes an opportunity to check out the weekly themes and the variety of fun activities we have planned to celebrate the joy of bicycling that helps bring about a cleaner and healthier community. Even more, it’s beyond time for us to be able to come together like this in a safer environment to just-have-fun!”
CycleMAYnia features weekly themes, six online presentations, 11 socially distanced community rides, and eight fun outdoor activities.
- Week 1: “Ready Set Go” – Activities featuring a presentation on electric bike trends, technology and how to choose one, in-person e-bike demos, and National Bike to School Day being celebrated at a select number of elementary and junior high schools.
- Week 2: “Adventure and Around the World Travel” – Features a Mother’s Day Ride, online presentations sharing local BCycle adventure rides, Cycling Without Age adventures for seniors and those with physical disabilities, and local mountain bike adventures exploring the Santa Barbara backcountry, and a Bike to Nature Ride for families with kids.
- Week 3: “Kids and Families” – Bike to Nature Rides for families with kids, a panel presentation on Biking with Little Ones, and a Bike-in Movie screening of The Ride (released in 2018).
- Week 4: “Bicycle Friendly Communities” – Presentation and discussions from bike planners about the changing trends and landscape of bike infrastructure in Santa Barbara County and beyond. A panel presentation on Living Car-Free or Car-Lite, and two community bike rides including the monthly Bike DeLights ride and a Community E-Bike Ride.
The month is also filled with weekly activities and rides: Taco Tuesday E-Bike Demos, Wheelie Wednesdays, and Bike to Nature Rides for families and children.
Founded in 2009, CycleMAYnia is a public/private collaboration using community resources and South Coast Measure A Bicycle and Pedestrian funds to organize activities for the community, which also receives support from large numbers of volunteers and organizations like the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBIKE) and the Coalition for Sustainable Transportation (COAST).
The public is encouraged to read more about the bike month activities and view the calendar of activities 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.
2021 CycleMAYnia Event Calendar Flyer
