Sustainable Transportation, Students, Faculty and Staff, BikeUMD
NOTE: THE BIKE PARADE EVENT ON Friday, April 5 is CANCELLED due to rain and is rescheduled for April 24. See below for detail.
Get on your bikes and ride—The University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) and University Recreation and Wellness (RecWell) have partnered to host seven days of cycling fun during the annual UMD Bike Week, March 30 to April 6. Activities include bike swag giveaways, group bike rides, a bike commuter breakfast and a maintenance class. New this year, cyclists can share their favorite tips and routes with other members of UMD’s bike community at our free “bikes of the round table” lunch. The week will culminate with the student bike parade,which awards prize money to a participating student group with the most people, and a set of Bose wireless headphones to the individual with the best bike costume.
“Bike Week is a great time to dust off your bike, put some air in your tires and go for a ride to enjoy the warming spring weather.” says Anna McLaughlin, who manages the BikeUMD program at the university. “As the weather warms and we see more bikes traveling around campus, it’s good to remember that cyclists and motorists should all follow the rules of the road.”
Bike Week is an annual event that highlights the wealth of cycling resources on and around campus, builds community among university cyclists, and encourages biking as a means for commuting sustainably.
2019 BIKE WEEK events
March 30 to 31: Bike & Camp along the C&O Canal Towpath
Registration required: go.umd.edu/bike-week-camp
The historic C&O Canal stretches a total of 185 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland, making it ideal for those looking to explore the towpath from the seat of a bike. Join us as we bikepack a total of 45 miles from Carderock Recreation Area to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. You’ll learn to pack a bike, manage long distance rides, and enjoy a night camping along the trail.
Monday, April 1: Bike Week Kick-off Event
Stamp (near bus stop) | 10 a.m. to Noon.
Bike Week is here! BikeUMD kicks off a week full of fun bike rides, classes and activities! Stop by to get a free bicycle helmet, cotton candy and a free safety check from a RecWell Bike Shop bike mechanic.
Giveaways: bike helmets
Tuesday, April 2: Bike Commuter Breakfast
Regents Drive Garage Bike Commuter Lot | 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Enjoy a free breakfast with your fellow cycling enthusiasts! The UMD Bike Coordinator will be on site to answer questions about our bike commuter incentive program. We will have bagels and coffee in the bike commuter lot inside Regents Drive Garage on the bottom level across from the RecWell fitness studio.
Giveaways: coffee and bagels
Wednesday, April 3: Farmers Market Bike Smoothies
Tawes Plaza | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the Farmers Market to make a smoothie on our bike blender! Harness your cycling power while learning about eating fresh and local.
Giveaways: smoothies
Wednesday, April 3: Sunset Mountain Bike Ride
Fairland Recreational Park | 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Registration required: go.umd.edu/sunset-ride
Experience the exhilarating fun of mountain biking in Fairland Recreational Park. Get the knowledge and skills to tackle some of the best dirt trails in the area and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Bicycle and helmet provided.
Thursday, April 4: Bikes of the Round Table
Margaret Brent Room, Stamp 2112 | 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Registration recommended: go.umd.edu/cycle-stories
Sharing your cycling stories! Compare notes on cycling tips and routes over lunch with other members of UMD’s cycling community.
Giveaways: catered lunch and bike lights
Thursday, April 4: Bike Week Bike Maintenance Class
RecWell Bike Shop | 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
EVENT IS NOW FULL.
Learn the essentials of bike maintenance with RecWell bike shop staff.
Giveaways: tire levers
*** FRIDAY, APRIL 5 BIKE PARADE EVENT RESCHEDULED DUE TO RAIN ***
Wed, April 24: Bike Parade and Contest
Regents Drive Garage | 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration required: go.umd.edu/bike-parade-19
Earn money for your student organization by participating in our student group bike parade. A cash prize goes to the student group(s)* with the most participants. All clubs, including Greek life and club sports, are encouraged to compete! Part of a smaller group? You can team up with other student groups to form a mighty coalition. The individual with the best-decorated bike wins a pair of Bose wireless headphones. Don’t have a bike? Free mBike rental is available for the day of the parade.
Giveaways: cash and Bose wireless headphones for winners. Bike socks for all participants.
*Student groups must meet certain criteria in order to receive a cash prize. Please review the application for more details.
Saturday, April 6: Mountain Bike at Rosaryville State Park
Rosaryville State Park | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Registration required: go.umd.edu/bike-week-rosaryville
Explore the outdoors on this 8-mile mountain biking trip through Rosaryville State Park’s Beginner’s Loop.