The Transportation Advisory Commission is scheduled to receive an informational presentation Thursday on Pasadena Bike Month, a month-long campaign of free bicycle activities that the Department of Transportation will roll out across the city in May.
The commission will take no action on the item, which is designated on the agenda as an information item. As an advisory body, the commission has no independent authority over the program; Bike Month is being administered by the Department of Transportation, and the City Council retains final authority over all matters requiring formal city approval.
According to the staff report from Director of Transportation Joaquin T. Siques, the city will host 15 different events throughout May. All events will be free to the public, though many will require reservations because of limits on ride capacity. The campaign is designed to promote sustainable travel, highlight local businesses, explore Pasadena’s history, provide bicycle safety education, and create community events.
The department has contracted, through a competitive selection process, with Pasadena-based nonprofit Day One Inc. to support and assist with Bike Month. Day One has supported the city in implementing Bike Month events since 2022, continues to add unique rides annually, and provides Licensed Cycling Instructors for each ride, according to the staff report.
The month features a wide-ranging slate of activities suited to cyclists of all ages and experience levels. Weekend outings include leisurely neighborhood rides, family-friendly events at local parks and libraries, and guided architectural and cultural tours of the Pasadena area. Cycling enthusiasts can also take part in electric bike demonstrations and expos, including an outdoor showcase at one of the city’s most iconic venues.
The calendar also highlights civic observances tied to national bike awareness campaigns, opportunities for children to develop riding skills, and a community screening of a cycling-themed film followed by a discussion with its director. Riders interested in public art will find a tour focused on the city’s mural heritage, while those seeking an outdoor adventure can explore a local wash trail.
Several events carry a social flavor, including a sweet-themed group ride and a brown-bag informational session. The month closes with two separate rides scheduled on the same final Sunday, giving participants a choice of ways to wrap up the celebration.
In all, the lineup spans weekdays and weekends throughout the month, offering more than a dozen distinct events that reflect the breadth of Pasadena’s cycling community.
The staff report notes that participation has grown in recent years. The department’s presentation materials show 10 organized rides and events in May 2024 drawing 252 total participants, including 148 unique riders, alongside 15 local partners and businesses.
May 2025 saw 21 organized rides and events drawing 328 total participants, including 225 unique riders, alongside 20 local partners and businesses. The Space Ride was the most popular new ride in 2025, with 70 participants.
Other top 2025 rides included the promotional Ride of Silence with 100 riders, the Greenways Ride with 56, the Pie & Ice Cream Ride with 55, and Bike to Work Day with 30.
Looking ahead, the presentation outlines lessons learned from 2024 and 2025 that will shape planning for 2026 and 2027. Those include earlier coordination with the city’s public information office and KPAS on media, continued invitations to councilmembers to host or collaborate on district rides, and continued inclusion of local bike shop rides in the calendar.
The Transportation Advisory Commission is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, in the Grand Conference Room S038 in the basement of City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., in Pasadena. Attendees are instructed to take the Council Chambers elevator to the basement.
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