by Kelsey Penrose
A proclamation was presented during the Thursday Board of Supervisors meeting to recognize the month of May as Bike Month in Carson City.
Nathan Harrison of Muscle Powered gave the presentation, which included a schedule of events for the month of May hosted by Muscle Powered.
May 17-31 will be Bike to Work Week, encouraging commuters to swap their cars for bicycles to celebrate muscle-powered transportation. Even those who work from home can participate; a ride before, after, or during a break will be counted! Contact info@musclepowered.org for rules and to register yourself or, if you have an interested group, please designate a team captain to be your point of contact.
During Bike to Work week there will be a Ride of Silence held Wednesday, May 19 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to honor cyclists who died in 2019 and 2020 while sharing the road. The ride, which is part of a national effort, will be escorted by two squad cars from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. Helmets, blinky lights, and a bike in safe working condition are required.
Ever Tuesday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. is the Ladies’ Mountain Bike ride. Meet at Foothill Drive just off of N. Winnie Lane. Rides are open to all skill levels, but all riders must carry water and have a mountain bike in safe working condition along with a helmet, closed-toed shoes, a spare tube, pump and tools to change a flat tire. Contact bike coordinator Beth Harrison at bethharrison@musclepowered.org with any questions.
Muscle Powered Trash Mobs are returning! TheTrash Mob of May will take place on May 22. Keep an eye out for announcements for time and location, as well as a signup form.
The following week there will be a Bike and Gear Swap on Saturday, May 29, the first of its kind. You can either purchase a stall space or make a donation of items in usable condition for Muscle Powered to sell at their booth; a portion of the proceeds will go to Muscle Powered. To purchase and reserve a booth space or to get involved and stay in the loop, contact info@musclepowered.org
Two events normally associated with Bike Month, the Tour de Carson and Muscle Powered’s bike party, will not take place. Organizers hope to be able to hold the Tour de Carson later this year.
Events will be limited in attendance with pre-registration required, and safety protocols for COVID-19, including masks and social distancing, will be enforced. Riders must also wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road. Blinky lights are also encouraged.
For a complete list of Bike Month dates and times, and to register for events, visit musclepowered.org and hit the “Bike Month” tab, or visit their Calendar page.
Since 1998, Muscle Powered has worked to make Carson City healthier for all citizens as well as safer and more accessible for bicycling and walking through education and advocacy, the promotion of bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and developing and maintaining recreational trails throughout the city.
