May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast!
Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to give biking a try. Each May, Greater Mankato Bike and Walk Advocates (GMBWA) promotes a series of events to encourage the community to get outside and enjoy the spring weather.
Join us for the annual Mayor's Ride, a community bike ride led by North Mankato Mayor Scott Carlson, Mankato Mayor Najwa Massad, and GMBWA President Ben Scheidel. This event highlights key biking infrastructure and future improvements while bringing the community together for an evening ride.
📅 Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
📍 Start/End Location: Wheeler Park, North Mankato
🚴 Total Distance: ~6 miles
⚠️ Note: Due to on-street riding and highway crossings, the primary route is not recommended for younger children. Families with younger children can join a guided, family-friendly ride through the trails around Hiniker Pond and Spring Lake Park.
6:00 p.m. – Welcome and comments from Mayor Massad, Mayor Carlson, and GMBWA President Ben Scheidel. Ride instructions provided.
6:15 p.m. – Ride departs Wheeler Park
Stops along the route (discussion points):
~6:30 p.m. – N. River Drive / Rex Macbeth River Trail: Discussion on proposed Hwy 169 underpasses
East Mulberry St. – Transition from path to street
~6:45 p.m. – Broad Street bike lane discussion
~7:00 p.m. – A Street bike lane pavement condition review
~7:15 p.m. – Center Street in North Mankato: Potential for a protected bike lane?
7:30 p.m. – Return to Wheeler Park for socializing
All riders are welcome. Helmets are encouraged. Please arrive by 6:00 p.m. ready to ride.
Events are free & open to everyone
Join the Greater Mankato Bike & Walk Advocates at the Blue Earth County Library at 6pm. Stop in or stay for all 90 minutes.
Social-paced ride leaves Nicollet Bike Shop at 6pm. 10 miles/1 hour long with a stop for a drink afterwards. All abilities and bikes welcome.
Mankato Area Mountain Bikers (MAMB) roll at 1pm at Kiwanis Recreation Area. Costumes encouraged.
Walking is great too! Many of our local schools are promoting this.
Kids, bring your parents to Key City Bike between 11am-2pm. Kids’ bikes will be available on a sliding scale donation-basis. Stop by the GMBWA bike rodeo to have some fun learning the basic skills for riding a bike.
Encourage your co-workers to ride to work one day or all week long.
Join our local elected officials from Mankato and North Mankato for a 6 mile ride, or opt for the shorter family-friendly route. Starts at Wheeler Park in North Mankato; 6-7:30pm.
Join us for a fun and inclusive ride at Benson Park in North Mankato; 4-6pm.
Try mountain biking at the Kiwanis Mountain Bike Trail. Loaner bikes and helmets are available, refreshments provided. 10am-2pm
Kids’ bike rodeo at River’s Edge Hospital in St. Peter, 10:30am - noon.
Meet at Key City Bike at 7:15pm for a casual group ride, 10-20 miles.
A fun way to support KCB! Live music, art auction, raffle, tire-changing contest, and bike ride scavenger hunt. 5:30-10pm
CHECK OUT weekly and monthly walk, run, road bike, mountain bike, gravel bike,
BMX, and bike polo events all summer long. Options for all ages and skill levels!