A little reason to celebrate

National Bike to Work Day

Hobby · The third Friday in May

National Bike to Work Day, on the third Friday in May, invites people to ride a bicycle for their commute and see the route from a new angle.

National Bike to Work Day falls on Friday, May 21, 2027. That is 206 days away.

The commute usually happens behind a windshield or inside a train car. On the third Friday in May, plenty of people swap that for a bicycle and pedal to the office, the shop or the job site instead.

Riding to work feels different from driving the same streets. You notice the bakery smell two blocks before the bakery, the slight hill you never knew was there, and which traffic lights take forever. A route that seemed long by car can turn out to be short on two wheels, and a short one can reveal a surprising number of potholes.

People mark the day in simple ways. Some ride the whole distance. Others bike to a bus or train stop and finish the trip that way, which counts just fine. Coworkers sometimes meet up and ride in together, and a few towns set up morning stops along popular routes where riders can pause for coffee or a quick tire check.

A test run a few days earlier helps. Quiet side streets and marked bike lanes often make a calmer ride than the main road, and a map app set to cycling directions will usually suggest them. Packing a change of shirt is a habit many regular bike commuters swear by.

A basic bike needs little to get going: air in the tires, brakes that grip, and a chain that turns without squeaking.

Ways to celebrate

Ride your bike to work, or for part of your commute.
Try a practice ride on your route a few days before.
Invite a coworker to meet up and ride in together.
Check your tire pressure, brakes and chain before heading out.
Look for bike lanes or quiet side streets on a local map.

Dates

Year	Date
2026	Friday, May 15
2027	Friday, May 21
2028	Friday, May 19
2029	Friday, May 18
2030	Friday, May 17

All national days on May 21

Also on May 21

Categories: Hobby days