HARRISBURG, Pa. — May is Bike Month, a nationwide effort to showcase the benefits of biking started by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956.
For Jonathan Dunkelberg, it’s getting back on the bike seat.
“May is always when it’s done, and we typically try to coordinate as much as we can with other bike groups in town,” he said.
In 2022, Dunkelberg started the group Harrisburg Bike Crew, a semi-weekly social ride around Harrisburg.
The group consists of about twenty regular riders.
“Probably 90% or more of my close friends who I talk to on a regular basis are people I met through this group that I started,” Dunkleberger said.
Harrisburg Bike Crew is just one of several groups under the umbrella of Bicycle South Central PA, a cycling advocacy organization serving the needs of bikers like Dunkelberg.
Its website lists events throughout the month, including Ride a Bike Day on May 5th.
Other events include:
- Bike to School Day, Wed., May 8.
- HBC Friday Night Social Ride: Fri., May 10.
- Capitol Police Bike Safety Day: Sat., May 11.
- International Ride of Silence, Wed. May 15.
For casual riders like Kyle Holland, having no plan can be just as fun!
“It wasn’t even a plan, it was like ‘alright we’ll take one along the river, the bridge is right there, you want to hit City Island sure,’ so really way more laxed I never have done anything scheduled or planned before with biking,” Holland said.
With more cyclists expected to hit the streets, Dunkleberger reminds people to share the road.
“When you see bikes out there whether they’re commuting to work or just out there for recreation, just be nice to each other,” Dunkleberger said.
“I suggest wearing high viz (visibility) definitely cause they’re not going to hear you coming, but hopefully they’ll see you coming,” added Jarred Lafferty, a Harrisburg resident and bicyclist.