Olympia City Council designates May as Bicycle Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May as “Olympia Bicycle Month,” highlighting the role of cycling in improving public health, expanding transportation access, and advancing the city’s climate goals.

The proclamation, signed by Mayor Dontae Payne at a meeting on Tuesday, April 28, aligns with both Earth Day and National Bike Month, and encourages residents to ride throughout May and beyond.

The proclamation states that bicycling supports mental and physical well-being, while offering a low-cost transportation option that reduces reliance on personal vehicles.

The city also believes bicycling can help achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2040.

In terms of bicycle infrastructure, the city currently maintains two designated bike corridors, 82 miles of bicycle lanes, and 8 miles of regional trails within city limits.

The city’s investments through the Transportation Master Plan and Transportation Benefit District, which generates about $3.1 million annually, aim to further expand that network and improve safety for cyclists.

Transportation Program Senior Specialist Kristin Gilkerson pointed to several projects underway to support bicycle access and safety. Among them is the Fones Road Corridor Project, which will include separated bike lanes and upgraded crossings designed to create a safer, more accessible route for users.

The bike and pedestrian safety project, at 4th Avenue and Plum Street in downtown Olympia, will add a parking-separated bike lane, high-visibility green markings, and redesigned intersections near City Hall.

“We will have more projects starting later this year,” said Gilkerson in inviting people to visit the city’s transportation website to learn about the projects.

The proclamation also recognizes the role of Intercity Transit and its Walk & Roll program in promoting cycling across Thurston County.

Ali Fuller, the agency’s new Bicycle Community Coordinator, shared details about the 39th annual Bicycle Community Challenge (BCC), a monthlong event that encourages residents of all ages and abilities to log miles and participate in group rides and activities.

The challenge includes both in-person events and virtual participation, with riders logging their miles online throughout May on the BCC website.

Fuller also mentioned in-person events, including the 21st annual Earth Day market ride on April 18. She said about 200 cyclists participated in the event, converging from multiple starting points to ride to Olympia Farmers Market.

Upcoming events include a Bike Month Celebration Ride on May 20. Cyclists are invited to join a group lunch ride to Tumwater Historical Park to celebrate Bike Month together.

On May 14, there will be “Bike Anywhere Day,” which invites residents to ride to work, school or other destinations, and stop at one of the community celebration stations. Olympia will have a station at Heritage Park. The event runs from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Beyond May, Walk & Roll operates year-round programming focused on bike education and safety. Fuller said the program served more than 2,600 people in 2025 through youth and adult education, as well as community initiatives, such as bike festivals, school events, and a mobile traffic garden that teaches road safety skills.

Council members voiced strong support for the proclamation and the continued expansion of cycling infrastructure.

Councilman Clark Gilman said he has seen steady improvements in the city’s bike network over time.

“It is even better to ride my bike downtown today than it was when I was 18 years old," he said.

Councilman Robert Vanderpool described his recent Earth Day ride as “stressful” with his child along, underscoring the importance of safe routes for families. He added that he regularly hears from residents about concerns ranging from speeding to infrastructure, making bicycle safety a constant priority.