It's time to get in gear, because May is National Bike Month. And since cycling in the city isn't always just like, well, riding a bike — we're here to share a few of Asheville's resources for easy rides, groups for community cycling, and opportunities for civic involvement.

Stay safe on the road

Bike safety starts in a pretty basic way — by cyclists following the same rules of the road as drivers. But local nonprofit Asheville on Bikes shares a few other top tips, like wearing a helmet (which is law in NC for riders 16 or younger) and staying visible.

Once you're safely on the road, here are a few local resources to keep you going:

Explore the Asheville Map, selecting "bike facilities" on the layer list to see dedicated bike lanes. Ride with GPS also has a bike route planner.
The City has three bicycle lockers downtown. Submit an application to secure your bike for a monthly fee.
For potholes, hazards, or other safety issues you encounter, submit a report through the Asheville App.

Go for a ride

If your riding is also for fun and not just function, join the local cycling community:

Asheville on Bikes hosts group rides throughout the week, as well as events, like candidate forums or the Ride of Silence coming up on Wednesday, May 15.
Riding in Color WNC has regular urban and trail rides for BIPOC cyclists of all skills.
The nonprofit Blue Ridge Bicycle Club organizes rides throughout WNC, as well as educational + advocacy opportunities.

Have a say in cycling

The City of Asheville has several plans and projects, like the GAP Plan, the College Patton Bike Lane Project, and the community-led AVL Unpaved, that are helping guide the City's transportation network. Rest assured we'll share info on these initiatives, but you can sign up for notifications from the City for transportation project updates.

You can also get involved with the Multimodal Transportation Commission or the Active Transportation Committee or submit public comment to their meetings.