As shown by the Orange County Transportation (OCTA) graphic found below, May is Bike Month or Bike Smart, Bike Safe month. Some of these Bike Month-related events have already occurred, but there are still two important events that you can attend: the Ride of Silence and Bike Safety Boot Camp. Both of these events have Irvine connections.
The Ride of Silence starts in North America (including Irvine, Fullerton, and San Clemente) and will continue across the world. This silent procession will honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while riding on public roads. “Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.”
Cyclists who ride in this silent procession are asked to wear reflective and highly visible clothing. They are also asked to wear a black armband in remembrance of those cyclists who have been killed or a red armband if the cyclist has been injured by a motorist while riding their bikes on public roads.
When: May 21, 2014
Where: Irvine, Fullerton, or San Clemente
Irvine Civic Center by the flag poles in front of the Police Department, meet at 6:00 pm, assembly at 6:30 pm, ride begins at 7 pm; Fullerton Museum Center Plaza / E. Wilshire, meet at 6:30 pm, ride begins at 7 pm; San Clemente Urban Bicycle Outfitters, 1900 N El Camino Real, meet at 6:30 pm, ride begins at 7 pm
More Information: Ride of Silence
The Bike Safety Camp “is designed to provide Irvine residents with the tools and information needed to ride their bike safely. Various vendors will provide safety education, raffle prizes, tune-ups, etc. OCTA will participate as a vendor and will promote bike safety information and Bike Month.”
Where: Pavilion Park, 194 Compass, Irvine 92618
When: Saturday, May 24, 2014
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
More Information: Outreach/BikeSafety Camp
Note: A U.S Census Bureau report states that bike commuting is growing faster than any other type of transportation. “The total number of bike commuters in the U.S. increased from about 488,000 in 2000 to about 786,000 during the period from 2008 to 2012, a larger percentage increase than that of any other commuting mode.” This means that the need for bicycle safety awareness by bicyclist and motorists is also increasing.
Other posts about bicycling in Irvine:
Bicycling Trails in Irvine and Orange County
Workshop on Bicycling Safety in Orange County