Spring is here and so is Bike Month 2025 - a time to celebrate the freedom, community, and joy that bicycling brings to Iowans of all ages and backgrounds. At BIKEIOWA.com, we’ve proudly promoted Bike Month for over two decades, and we’re back at it this year to promote more rides, events, and opportunities to connect.
Whether you're a seasoned commuter, a gravel grinder, a family cruiser, or someone just pulling your bike out of storage, May is your month to ride.
What is Bike Month?
Bike Month is a national movement led by the League of American Bicyclists, encouraging people to try biking for transportation, recreation, and health. In Iowa, we take it to the next level with dozens of community rides, workplace challenges, safety events, and trail celebrations - many of which are organized, supported, or promoted right here on BIKEIOWA.com.
Key Dates to Remember
Bike to Work Week: May 12–18, 2025
Bike to Work Day: Friday, May 16, 2025
Ride of Silence: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Our 21st Annual Ride of Silence will take place in multiple cities across Iowa, including Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Mason City, Cedar Rapids, and more. This powerful, silent group ride honors cyclists who have been injured or killed on public roadways. Learn more about local rides and how you can participate here.
Events Across Iowa – Find Your Ride
There are dozens of Bike Month events happening across the state - from group rides and trail parties to safety clinics and city-sponsored celebrations. Here are just a few examples:
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Handlebar Happy Hours in Des Moines (coming soon!)
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Bike to Work Pit Stops hosted by local businesses - Let's get these on the calendar!
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Family Fun Rides in small towns and metro areas alike
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Bike Rodeos and Clinics for kids and new riders
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Bikepacking overnighters, gravel events, and urban social rides
Browse all May Bike Events »
You can also use BIKEIOWA's search tools to filter by city, event type, or date to find the perfect ride near you.
How You Can Get Involved
From the Saddle: Why It Matters
For over 20 years, BIKEIOWA.com has been at the heart of Iowa’s cycling culture. We’ve seen Bike Month grow from a handful of local events to a statewide celebration that brings together thousands of riders. It’s not just about fun (though we have plenty of that) - it’s about building a stronger, safer, more sustainable Iowa.
When you ride, you're:
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Supporting local businesses
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Reducing traffic and emissions
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Improving your physical and mental health
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Creating safer, more livable communities
- Exploring your own backyard - seek out new trails, route and destinations
Join the Movement
This May, let’s celebrate every ride, every rider, and every reason we roll. From gravel roads and paved trails to city streets and scenic highways, Iowa is better when we bike.
Ride often. Ride safely. And ride with purpose.
Our Sponsors are super-bicycle friendly and May is a month where they shine bright! Please support them this month and all year round!
See you out there, Iowa.
Visit BIKEIOWA.com throughout May for updated event listings, news, and features celebrating Bike Month 2025.
Have an event or update to share? Submit it here.
Pro-Tip: Use keywords like “Bike Month,” “Bike to Work,” or “Ride of Silence” + your city name to find local happenings quickly.
Local Bike Advocacy Groups and Clubs
In addition to BIKEIOWA.com, several other websites and organizations across Iowa post and promote Bike Month events throughout May. Here are some of the most reliable sources:
These organizations often host events and share regional calendars:
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Iowa Bicycle Coalition
www.iowabicyclecoalition.org
They coordinate bike advocacy statewide and may post Bike Month activities, especially in larger cities.
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Des Moines Street Collective
www.dsmbikecollective.org
Great source for events, pit stops, and commuter resources in Central Iowa.
- Iowa City Bicycle Library
www.icbikelibrary.org/
Getting more people on bicucle each month, every month. -
Bike Iowa City
www.bikeiowacity.com
Covers Coralville/Iowa City area bike events and bike-to-work activities.
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Cedar Valley Cyclists
www.cedarvalleycyclists.org
Includes events around Waterloo and Cedar Falls areas.
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Bicycle Advisory Committees
Many city governments (like Des Moines, Ames, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids and Dubuque) have bike advisory groups that list May events on their city websites or Facebook pages.
Regional Event Calendars
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Catch Des Moines (www.catchdesmoines.com)
Includes community-focused events and recreational rides in Greater Des Moines.
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Iowa City Downtown District (downtowniowacity.com)
They often partner with Think Bicycles for local Bike Month happenings.
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Travel Iowa (www.traveliowa.com)
Include featured biking events or festivals - search under “Things To Do” by date and category.
Social Media & Event Pages
So here’s to May miles and fun,
With rides in the wind and the sun!
RIDE SAFE!!