Olympia proclaims May 2025 as Bicycle Month 

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2025 as Bicycle Month, highlighting the city's commitment to sustainable transportation and community health.  

At a city council meeting on Tuesday, April 29, Kristin Gilkerson, program specialist with the city's Transportation Division, unveiled plans to expand Olympia's bicycle infrastructure.  

The city is developing two new bike corridors: a downtown corridor connecting Sylvester Park to the east side street entrance, and a west side corridor that will link northwest and southwest Olympia to Woodruff Park and Garfield Elementary School.  

Additional projects include a bicycle and pedestrian safety improvement at 4th Avenue and Plum Street near City Hall, featuring a separate bike lane and intersection safety enhancements.  

Another project along Pacific and State avenues will introduce parking-separated bike lanes, concrete islands, and green pavement markings.  

According to Gilkerson, the ongoing project on the Fones Road corridor project is transforming the street with separated bike lanes on both sides and an improved crossing at Karen Fraser Woodland Trail.  

Gilkerson encouraged the community to visit the city's transportation website at www.olympiawa.gov/transportation, to learn more about the projects of creating safer and more accessible cycling infrastructure.  

Olympia, as stated in the proclamation, has an extensive bicycle network consisting of 82 miles of bicycle lanes and 8 miles of regional trails within city limits.

The Transportation Master Plan outlines the ongoing expansion of this network, with funding from the Transportation Benefit District sale tax providing $3.1 million annually for bicycle and active transportation projects.  

Bicycle Community Challenge

Duncan Green of Intercity Transit (IT) also announced the 38th annual Bicycle Community Challenge (BCC), a free monthlong event celebrating National Bike Month in May.  

The challenge, with its theme, "Be a Beacon for Bicycle," includes Bike to Work Day on May 15.  

Green also reported that IT's Walk and Roll program has expanded to provide bicycle education and resources for children and adults.  

Partnering with schools, Cascade Bicycle Club, and community organizations, the program teaches bike safety, maintenance and bike handling skills.  

Individuals interested in participating may visit https://www.intercitytransit.com/bike/bicycle-commuter-challenge for more information or may email dgreen@intercitytransit.com.