The active transportation challenge allows people to pledge to ride their bike to work, for fun, for fitness and for safety for a chance to win a prize package, stay healthy and help Orange County’s air quality
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is encouraging people of all ages, including those working from home part-time or full-time, to stay active and get outdoors to safely travel by bicycle during the month of May, which is Bike Month.
OCTA is leading a month-long challenge called “Grab Life By the Handlebars.” Participants are encouraged to pledge to ride a bicycle at least once or as many times as they’d like during May. By doing so, riders can achieve better health and discover the fun and convenience of active transportation.
“Our hope is that more people will take advantage of the sunny spring weather and explore the option of riding a bike as part of how they get around,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “Orange County has so many great destinations, and whether it’s riding along a beach trail or mountain biking in a regional park or commuting to work, we encourage people to get out there and ride.”
Bike Month will be highlighted with:
- A Bike Rally from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15 from the Orange Metrolink Station to the OCTA Administrative Headquarters at 600 S. Main Street in Orange.
The bike rally, which returned in 2023 after taking several years off during the pandemic, is an approximate 4-mile ride, followed by an event featuring speakers, a free T-shirt for each participant, snacks and raffle prizes. Those planning to participate are asked to RSVP at www.octa.net/bikemonth.
Bike to Work Week is traditionally held in May. This year, OCTA is holding the month-long challenge, encouraging people to pledge on the website to ride at least once – for work, for fitness or just for fun.
For making a pledge online, participants are entered into a raffle for a chance to win an electric-bike package valued at approximately $1,600 that includes: An Aventon Level.2 Commuter E-bike, an Aventon chain lock and a Kali Protectives Lunati 2.0 bicycle helmet. The prizes are courtesy of Bike Month sponsors Jax Bicycles, Aventon, and Spectrumotion.
More information is available and pledges can be made at www.octa.net/bikemonth.
OCTA also encourages cyclists to bike smart and stay safe. For bicycle safety tips, please visit www.octa.net/bike.
With the proliferation of bicycles powered by electric motors, OCTA is also sponsoring a series of events to encourage E-bike safety, including in-person safety rodeos and virtual workshops. For more information on E-bike safety, visit: www.octa.net/ebike.
Orange County has plenty of options for cyclists, from the foothills to the beaches, with more than 1,000 miles of bikeways. Also, the more people choose to ride a bike as an alternative to getting behind the wheel of a car, the better it is for Orange County’s air quality.
