May is National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month, an event sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving cycling a try.

In 2014, the City of Hagerstown was honored by the League of American Bicyclists with the distinction of being a “Bicycle Friendly Community—bronze level”. With the nearness of the C&O Canal, the increasing number of marked bicycle paths and routes in Hagerstown, and the number of clubs, group rides and tours, and bike-themed events, cycling is a clear choice for anyone in our area who is interested in being more physically active while enjoying time outdoors.

According to the League of American Bicyclists:

Bicycle commuting burns an average of 540 calories per hour.
The average person loses 13 lbs in the first year of commuting by bike.

If it has been a few years since you last rode a bike, or if you just want to brush up on your skills, you may want to check out these resources:

The League of American Bicyclists’ website has Smart Cycling Tips that include how to conduct a basic bike check, what to wear for different conditions, how to fit your helmet, how to increase your comfort on a bike, how to shift, and tips for sharing a path with others.

The City of Hagerstown has bicycling resources on its website, too. These include information about the city’s Bicycle Master Plan (BMP), the Bicycle Advisory Committee, a bike safety video from the city of Hagerstown, downloadable brochures, and a downloadable Hub City Bicycle Network Route Map. This map includes bike routes, bike lanes, multi-use paths, and other suggested bike-friendly routes to get you to various points of interest in Hagerstown – it will even tell you where to find a bike rack where you can lock your bike when you reach your destination.