Metrolink Matters National Bike Month takes place every year during the month of May and is a great time to use bikes as a first/last mile connection that gets people outside of their cars, is good for the environment and helps add a little extra exercise to a daily routine.
Metrolink is excited to participate in Bike Month with a Twitter party on Tuesday, May 14 from 5 to 6 p.m. that will include giveaways such as a brand new bike from DTLABikes!
Bike Month doesn’t have to end on May because in Southern California it is always bike season. Plus, many stations are located just a short pedal away from Metrolink stations:
- Santa Ana River Trail: Head to the Anaheim ARTIC Station and your pretty much on the trail as soon as you step off the train. The ARTIC Station is the midpoint of the Santa Ana River Trail, so you have the option to go north or south along the paved 30-mile route. If you head north, the trail reaches to Green River Road at the Orange County and Riverside County border. If you head south, you can ride all the way down to the ocean at Huntington Beach. This trail welcomes bikers, runners, roller bladers, and just about anyone else looking for exercise.
- Pacific Electric Bike Trail: Easily accessible from the Montclair, Claremont, Upland, Fontana and Rialto stations, this 21-mile path stretches from the Los Angeles County line at Claremont to Rialto. The Pacific Electric Trail follows the route of the legendary Pacific Electric Railway, an electrified railway system famous for their “Red Cars” that spanned from the Pacific coast through Los Angeles, and traveled as far east as San Bernardino. The building of the railway through the Inland Empire was crucial to the development of the area, particularly to support the agricultural industry that fueled the local economy. The San Bernardino portion of the railway was used extensively in transporting products from the citrus and wine making areas of Cucamonga and Redlands to Los Angeles and the rest of the United States. In later years, the railway was used for moving war time materials and troops to the ports of Los Angeles. Once the world’s largest interurban and street railway system, the Pacific Electric Railway ended operation during the 1950’s with the expansion of the Southern California freeway system. One of the last remaining railway depots of the San Bernardino line, the Etiwanda Depot, can be found in Rancho Cucamonga at the intersection of Etiwanda Avenue and the Pacific Electric trail.
- Santa Clara River Trail: Just off the Via Princessa and Santa Clarita stations, the Santa Clara River Trail is an 8-mile paved trail that is great for bikers and runners and runs along the Santa Clara River between the communities of Canyon Country and Valencia.
- San Fernando Road Bike Path: With easy access from the Sylmar/San Fernando Station, the San Fernando Road Bike Path parallels its namesake road and travels along the Antelope Valley Line. Beginning in Sylmar, the 5.7 mile trail cuts clear through the city of San Fernando, before ending in Pacoima.
- San Luis Rey River Trail: About a mile away from the Oceanside Transit Center, the San Luis Rey River Trail is a Class 1 bicycle trail following a 7.2 mile path from Neptune Way to College Boulevard. This path is also great for runners and rollerbladers and is a relatively flat, paved pathway.
Plus check out these other Bike Month events from throughout SoCal:
Pledge & Win – May – Pledge to bike to work at least once during May. All pledges receive a coupon to Jax Bicycle and 1 entry for a chance to win a Trek 2 bike or Fitbit Charge 2.
El Monte Metro Bike Hub Bike Repair Clinic – May 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Free bike inspections and Commute 101. Come by with your bike and we’ll provide a free bike inspection, air & lube your bike, and share with you to basics of riding safely and legally on LA streets.
Beach Bike Tour – May 11 -Travel with Meaning has partnered with Sole’ Bicycles to create the coolest and most unique beach bike tour in LA!
CyclofemmeLA- Downtown LA Tour de Murals– May 11- Join C.I.C.L.E and Cyclofemme LA on Saturday, May 11th (the day before Mother’s Day) for a leisurely bike ride through the streets of Downtown Los Angeles and the Arts District celebrating Global Women’s Cycling Day presented by the Metro Bicycle Education Safety Training (BEST) Program.
Bike to Work Day – May 16 – Metro has partnered with organizations across the county for riders to enjoy pit stops for a snack, coffee, and encouragement.
OCTA Bike Rally– May 16 – Join the celebration! OCTA is hosting their annual Bike Rally on May 16th. After5 a 3-mile ride, there will be snacks, a raffle and guest speakers.
Build a Bike Workshop at the Rose Pedal– May 18 – Join EF Education First at the Rose Bowl Greens on Saturday, May 18th for the first-ever Rose Pedal open streets recreation event immediately following the Amgen Tour of California Pro Cycling Race.
Pomona Color Wheels – May 18, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Join the LA County Bicycle Coalition and its local chapter, Pomona Valley Bicycle Coalition, on an exploratory art and mural bike tour of Pomona presented by the Metro Bicycle Education Safety Training (BEST) Program. Meet at the dA Center for the Arts in downtown Pomona for pre-ride coffee on the morning of Saturday, May 18. The dA Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization that offers an array of exhibitions, studio art classes, and workshops. From there, our two-wheeled mural ride goes through the Art Colony to the Karl Benjamin mural, then to the Envision the Future mural, followed by a Millard Sheets Mall mosaic stop and ending at the Early Pomona Family Mural. This slow-paced casual ride is geared towards beginner riders.
Burbank Chandler Path Pedal to Empanadas – May 18, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Join the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and local chapter Walk Bike Burbank along the Chandler Bike Path and ending at World Empanadas, a local bike-friendly business. This ride is presented by the Metro Bicycle Education Safety Training (BEST) Program. The ride starts at Clybourn at the Chandler Bike Path in Burbank. The start is accessible from the North Hollywood Metro Station, located 1.3 miles off the Chandler Bike path. From Clybourn, Walk Bike Burbank will take you through an exploration of the Chandler Bike path culminating with an empanada treat.
Bike Month: Arroyo Seco to 626 Golden Streets– May 19 – Join LA County Bicycle Coalition on a Historical Arroyo Seco bike ride. Learn about the history and importance of the Arroyo Seco and the ever-changing communities of Cypress Park, Highland Park, and South Pasadena it helped establish.
LA Times Food Bowl: Food Bike Tour of DTLA– May 19 – Join the CicLAvia team on a food filled bike tour of the Downtown area. We will travel along previous CicLAvia routes and stop at some of LA’s best food destinations.
LA Metro Bike 2 – Rules of the Road Class – May 19, 9-11 a.m. – Do you want to make bicycling part of your daily travel routine, but you’re not sure where to start? The Bike 2 – Rules of the Road class, presented by Metro, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, and the City of Palmdale will help you learn how to bike on city streets safely. This is a free 2-hour class for adults and teens who would like to learn how to safely and legally ride on city roads. We will teach you the rules of the road, how to plan your route, and provide tips and trips to make bicycling for everyday travel safe and convenient. From what to wear to bicycling etiquette, they’ve got you covered!
Electric Bike Tour of Hollywood Sign– May 31 – The stunning vistas of the Hollywood Hills will be on full display during this Electric Bike Tour of the Hollywood sign.
