Bike to Work Week – May 17, 2027

Bike to Work Week
Categories:
Tags:
ActivitiesLifestyleWork
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Week starting with the 3rd Friday of May
Holiday emoji:
🚴‍♀️

Bike to Work Week encourages healthier commutes and sustainable transportation, observed each year in the week of Bike to Work Day. Running from May 15–21, 2026, this week-long event, part of National Bike Month, invites everyone to experience the joy and benefits of cycling. Join local events, explore new routes, and inspire others to pedal their way to work.

Want to sponsor Bike to Work Week? Learn how

Expected Bike to Work Week Deals

As Bike to Work Week approaches, expect a range of appreciation programs and discounts aimed at encouraging cycling commuters. While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that bike shops like REI and Performance Bicycle often offer tune-up specials and accessory discounts. Brands such as Trek and Specialized may highlight commuter-friendly models or gear bundles. Local coffee shops and restaurants frequently partner with advocacy groups to provide free coffee or breakfast to cyclists on Bike to Work Day. Additionally, many employers implement wellness challenges or incentives for employees who cycle. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 21 approaches.

Platform Guide for Bike to Work Week

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #BiketoWorkWeek. Share your company’s participation in cycling challenges or employee wellness initiatives.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #BiketoWorkWeek. Share photos of your commute, tips for new riders, or local event announcements in real-time.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BiketoWorkWeek. Post visually appealing photos or reels of your bike, scenic routes, or the joy of your daily ride.

Social Media Tips for Bike to Work Week

Individuals

Plan your route, check your bike's condition, and join a group ride to make your commute more enjoyable and safer. Share your journey on social media to inspire friends.

Creators

Produce a short video showcasing the best bike commuting gear, a 'day in the life' of a bike commuter, or a tutorial on basic bike maintenance for beginners.

Brands

Host a corporate cycling challenge, offer incentives for employees who bike to work, or partner with local bike shops for discounts and maintenance workshops.

Partners & Brands for Bike to Work Week

  1. League of American Bicyclists

    Founded in 1880, the League of American Bicyclists champions the rights of bicyclists and promotes bicycling for fun, fitness, and transportation. They are the primary organizers of Bike to Work Week and National Bike Month.

  2. Trek Bicycle Corporation

    Established in 1976 in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Trek is a major American bicycle and cycling product manufacturer. They offer a wide range of bikes, including popular commuter models, and advocate for cycling infrastructure and safety.

  3. REI

    Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) is an American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation. Founded in 1938, it sells sporting goods, camping gear, and cycling equipment, often hosting workshops and advocating for outdoor recreation.

  4. Specialized Bicycle Components

    Founded in 1974 by Mike Sinyard in Morgan Hill, California, Specialized designs and manufactures bicycles, components, and apparel. They are known for innovative road, mountain, and electric bikes, including models optimized for urban commuting.

  5. Strava

    Launched in 2009, Strava is an internet service for tracking athletic activity via GPS. Popular among cyclists and runners, it allows users to record rides, share routes, and connect with a global community, fostering friendly competition.

  6. PeopleForBikes

    PeopleForBikes is a national advocacy organization working to make bicycling better for everyone. Founded in 1999, they unite the bicycle industry and people who ride to improve bike infrastructure, safety, and access across the U.S.

  7. Brompton Bicycle

    A British manufacturer of folding bicycles based in London, Brompton was founded in 1975 by Andrew Ritchie. Their compact, portable bikes are highly popular among urban commuters for their convenience and engineering.

Bike to Work Week Hero

Paul Dudley White

Dr. Paul Dudley White (1886–1973) was a pioneering American cardiologist and an ardent advocate for preventive medicine, including regular physical activity like cycling. Often called the 'father of American cardiology,' he famously advised President Eisenhower to cycle for heart health. White championed cycling as a practical and enjoyable way to maintain fitness and improve public health, influencing generations to embrace the bicycle for both recreation and transportation.

History of Bike to Work Week

Celebrating the bike is not an exclusively American concept; bike weeks are even held globally! A yearly international event, Bike Week usually falls on different dates depending on the country. The U.K. has been running this week for more than 90 years now, and now it has even gained popularity in Asia, America, and Europe.

Created by the American League of Bicyclists, Bike Week in the U.S. falls in Bike Month. This organization is usually responsible for creating a buzz around this event each year, alongside other local bicycle organizations. Some U.S. states that show frequent participation in this event include Austin, Boston, Pasadena, Portland, Roseville, Santa Barbara, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington.

A survey conducted 12 years ago shows how commuting to work via bikes increased in popularity. Cities like New York (with 22,000 bicycle commuters), Los Angeles (with 17,345 bicycle commuters), and Portland (with 16,846 bicycle commuters) topped the list of people biking to work on a regular basis. Another survey from 13 years ago listed biking as the primary means of traveling to work for 0.55% of the American population.

Bike to Work Week timeline

1890s
People Start Biking to Work

A global bike craze means people use this contraption everywhere, even to work.

1920s
Biking Experiences a Sharp Drop

The rise of the suburbs and the popularity of the car steals some of the spotlight from biking.

1923
U.K.’s Bike Week Starts a Tradition

The first Bike Week is held in the U.K.

1950s
Europeans are Still Biking to Work

The cycling craze is still going strong in Europe, although it experiences a decline after this period.

1956
National Bike Month is Established

The League of American Bicyclists starts observing the importance of biking this year.

2009
New York Leads the Pack

More people bike to work in New York than in any other major U.S. city.

2000–2011
Number of Bicycle Commuters Grow

Data shows an increase in the number of bicycle commuters by up to 47%.

Bike to Work Week FAQs

When is Bike to Work Week?

Bike to Work Week 2027 is observed from Friday, May 21, to Thursday, May 27, with Bike to Work Day kicking off the week on May 21. Get ready to join cyclists nationwide in promoting sustainable travel.

How many Americans commute by bike?

While precise figures vary annually, around 0.5% of the U.S. workforce, or roughly 800,000 individuals, regularly choose cycling for their daily commute. This commitment highlights the dedication to health and environmental benefits.

What is the economic impact of cycling?

Cycling’s economic footprint is substantial, with the U.S. bicycle market alone valued at over $8 billion, encompassing everything from manufacturing to retail and services. This robust industry underscores the widespread appeal and utility of bicycles.

What is the League of American Bicyclists?

As the oldest national cycling organization in the United States, the League of American Bicyclists works to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. They provide education, advocate for policy changes, and lead initiatives like Bike to Work Week.

Bike to Work Week Activities

  1. Bike, of course!

    What is the best way to celebrate a week revolving around biking? Well, we bike, of course! And where do we bike? You can bike to work, bike to the grocery store, bike with family and friends, and if you’re stuck at home, bike to exercise in your local park.

  2. Sign up for the National Bike Challenge

    Contribute to a national movement. Log your miles and challenge yourself to go further and faster. Be a part of the movement for safer streets and a bike-connected community. Encourage others to join in on this challenge, too.

  3. Participate in local biking events even after Bike to Work week

    Share your enthusiasm for bikes and biking with others and encourage them to join you on your bike rides. You can even connect with local biking groups, clubs, local bike shops, and organizations that support biking and join a like-minded community.

5 Fun Facts About Biking

  1. It’s the least damaging to the environment

    After driving just a kilometer, a car releases 271 g of CO2 and a bus releases 101 g, but a bicycle releases just 16 g of CO2, which is calculated on the fuel of the rider (a.k.a. their food).

  2. Americans can easily bicycle to work

    “Bicycling” magazine says more than half of all Americans live only around 5–10 miles from work, making bicycling fun and an efficient way to get around.

  3. The U.S. is very bike-friendly

    There are approximately 38,000 miles of bike paths and trails across America.

  4. Bikes are cost-effective

    Cars cost about $30,000 on average, but the average cost of a new bike is only $385.

  5. More good news for the environment

    A study showed that replacing one car trip per day with a bike trip can reduce carbon emissions by 67%.

Why We Love Bike to Work Week

  1. It promotes healthy living

    Biking not only makes your heart work harder and beat faster but it also ensures you work up a good sweat. You are more active, energized, and healthier.

  2. You are making streets safer

    Bikes rarely, if ever, cause fatal accidents, unlike many other automobiles. Choosing to bike to places entices others to adopt this habit, too. You are like a local biking ambassador, showing others how bikes make life safer and healthier.

  3. Riding a bike is fun!

    Whether you are alone with the wind in your hair or you are pedaling down the streets with your biking group, getting on that two-wheeled machine is loads of fun, especially when it takes you back to your childhood days.

Bike to Work Week dates

Year Date Day
2026 May 11–17 Monday–Sunday
2027 May 17–23 Monday–Sunday
2028 May 15–21 Monday–Sunday
2029 May 14–20 Monday–Sunday
2030 May 13–19 Monday–Sunday