Bay Area ‘Bike to Wherever Day' is Thursday: Find events
The National Bike to Work Day falls on the third Thursday of May every year and has since way back in 1956, when the League of American Bicyclists decided to promote the health benefits of a two-wheel commute.
The event morphed into Bike to Wherever Day more than 60 years later, during the pandemic, when employees were working from home or far-flung locations. And in the Bay Area, it’s become a full month-of-May crusade.
On Thursday, May 14, the official day, with tens of thousands of participants, “energizer stations” in all nine Bay Area counties will give out commemorative bags, swag and treats.
The Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days group has mapped all the stations and provides a pledge for bicyclists who vow to ride more in May. Every year, the group names a Bike Champion for each county.
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition also offers routes and advice on its website and honors bicycling champions on its website, bikesiliconvalley.org.
Here’s a sampling of events this week and beyond:
Bike With Elected Officials: 7 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 14. Bike with Oakland officials to an 8 a.m. pancake breakfast at City Hall. Details: wobo.org/event/bike-to-wherever-day-2026-pedal-pools
Old Oakland Bike Happy Hour: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14. Meet up in Old Oakland for Drake's Beer, live entertainment, and conversation with cycling enthusiasts and transportation groups. Details: bikeeastbay.org/event/old-oakland-bike-happy-hour
After-Party: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14. Bike Walk Alameda will host a gathering at Alameda Island Brewing Company. Free bike valet. All ages welcome. Details: bikewalkalameda.org
Bike Away From Work Party: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 14. If you’re cycling in San Francisco, join up with others at this outdoor gathering at Valencia and 18th streets in the Mission District. It’s a free, all-ages event with food, music and dancing. Details: sfbike.org
Ride the Gilroy Gardens: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 15. This sixth annual event invites bike riders and families with strollers to roll through this horticulturally cool children’s park. $10 ticket admits a family of four. Tickets: eventbrite.com
San Jose Bike Party: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, with two stops. Meet at Raymond Bernal Jr. Memorial Park, 895 N. Seventh St., at 7:30, roll out at 8 p.m. Find route and rules at sjbikeparty.org.
Bike Month Wrap Party: 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Share a beer with other riders at Standard Deviant’s location at Pier 70, San Francisco. Tickets: eventbrite.com
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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 4:42 PM.