2013: Year of the Bike

Mayor's Bike to Work Day

Tuesday, May 7 - 7:30am - 8:30am, Liberty Park to County Government Building to City Hall
Join us for the annual Mayor's Bike to Work Day with Salt Lake City's Mayor, Ralph Becker & Salt Lake County's Mayor, Ben McAdams. The annual bike ride starts at the north end of Liberty Park and goes through some of SLC's favorite neighborhoods with a stop at the County Complex and the final stop at the City and County Building. Bagels will be provided at the County Complex along with the City and County building. Check out the route map for the ride.

What is "Year of the Bike"?

Salt Lake City joins founding partners Salt Lake County, University of Utah, Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Transit Authority and Wasatch Front Regional Council in officially designating 2013 as "Year of the Bike" to recognize and promote the many bicycle events, programs, and infrastructure projects happening in the Salt Lake region in the coming year.

Check out this video of the announcement.

Over the past few years, bicycling in the Salt Lake area has increased dramatically. In 2013, the Salt Lake region is poised to cross a tipping point for bicycle use, with a multitude of programs and infrastructure planned for the coming months. Find out more about each of the events, programs, and projects below.

Support Year of the Bike

Sign the pledge to support better bicycling in our region.

Click here to sign the pledge.

"I support bicycling. I support bicycling for everyday trips and for fun. I support bicycling on city streets, scenic roads, bike paths and trails. I value safe and comfortable bicycle routes that accommodate people of all ages and abilities. I support involving new people and communities in bicycling, through education and promotion. I recognize the many benefits of bicycling, including the benefits to drivers. I believe that bicycling improves air quality and health and strengthens my community. That is why I pledge my support for better bicycling throughout the region. I believe that together we can make our community a better place to ride."

Thank you for your support. By adding your name, you show your support of bicycling and receive regular updates on events, programs and projects. We respect your privacy and promise not to share your personal information.

Join Events in the City, by Bike!

Bicycling can be a part of many summer festivals and events, if you ride your bike there! The Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective provides valet bicycle parking at many Salt Lake City Events. Visit the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective for more details and updates on valet bicycle parking events, locations, and times.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update

January - October: Public Workshops To Be Announced
Salt Lake City will be updating the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan to guide the future of new bikeways, pedestrian crossings, walkable/bikeable business areas, and education outreach and events in Salt Lake City. Development of this update will take place throughout 2013, with significant community outreach and involvement. The resulting plan update will set the course for making Salt Lake City a major bicycling city in the years to come, guiding projects and programs to elevate bicycling as a fundamental and beneficial way to travel through the city.

GREENbike - SLC Bike Share Program Launch

April
In April 2013, Bike Share launched with 10 bike share stations placed strategically throughout downtown Salt Lake City. More than 100+ bikes will be dispersed throughout the system to create a network of high-end, commuter-friendly bicycles designed to make getting around downtown Salt Lake fun and easy.

Utah Bike Summit at the University of Utah

Friday, April 26 - 8am-4pm - University of Utah Campus
In April of 2013, The 5th annual Utah Bike Summit took place at the University of Utah Guest House. This conference provides a great opportunity to network, collaborate, educate and empower all cycling enthusiasts. The goal is for cycling advocates to come together with joint interests to improve cycling infrastructure and safety, get more Utahns on bikes, and bring more cycling tourism to our state.

Open Streets Salt Lake City

Saturday, May 4 - 10am - 2:30pm, 300 South/Broadway from 600 West to 200 East
On Saturday May 4, 2013, Salt Lake City will host an Open Streets event to engage new people in bicycling and physical activity. The event will temporarily open a route of city streets exclusively to walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation. This event will include activities such as exercise classes, dance classes, music, food, games and other attractions along the iconic downtown corridor of 300 South/Broadway between the City & County Building and the Rio Grande Depot. The event will coincide with the LiveGreen Festival, happening at the east end of the route on the same day. Find out more about Open Streets events at the Open Streets Project website.

LiveGreen Festival

Saturday, May 4, Library Square, 11am-6pm
The LiveGreen Festival will happen at Library Square, at one end of the Open Streets route. Ride your bike down and enjoy both events! The LiveGreen Festival provides valet parking for bicycles, providing a safe place to store your bike after a morning at Open Streets. Find out more about vale parking locations at the LiveGreen Festival web-page.

Bicycle Ambassadors - Program Launch

April 29
In April 2013, Salt Lake County launched the Road Respect Bicycle Ambassador program. Bicycle Ambassadors are a group of enthusiastic and knowledgeable citizens who travel by bicycle, encourage others to bicycle, serve as positive examples of responsible cycling, and act as community resources for safe cycling.

Smart Trips

Ongoing
In 2013, the SmartTrips program is running for its second year. This program encourages the use of active and public transportation. Increasing the use of bicycling for transportation purposes has been a key component of this program.

Bicycle Commuter Pit Stops

Friday, May 17 - 7:30am - 10:30am - Intersections of 800 South/600 East and 200 South/200 West
Bicycle commuters are invited to stop by and receive free snacks and beverages, safety information, bike maps, and other resources for bicycling in Salt Lake City. The Pit Stops are a partnership with Bike Utah.

UTA Bike Bonanza

Friday, May 17 - 4:00pm - 8:00pm, Gallivan Plaza
The UTA Bike Bonanza recognizes Bike to Work Week, with bicycle-oriented vendors, goodie bags, and demonstrations. The SLC Transportation Division and SLC Sustainability Division will distribute bike maps and other resources about bicycling in Salt Lake City.

Bikeways Map Update

May, Date and Time To Be Announced
Salt Lake City's Bikeways Map has been updated with new bikeways completed through 2012. The new map will be released for public distribution in spring 2013.

Cycle the City Route

May, Date and Time to Be Announced
A "Cycle the City" tourism route is included in the 2013/14 Bikeways Map and will be signed on the street in early 2013. The route offers a 15-mile (half-day) bicycle tour of the sights of Salt Lake City, including downtown, Temple Square, SLC Library, Liberty Park, Memory Grove / lower City Creek canyon, Fisher Mansion, Peace Gardens, Jordan River Trail, and Pioneer Park / Farmers Market.

Living Traditions Festival

May 17-19, Library Square
Bicycling can be a part of many summer festivals and events, if you ride your bike there! The Living Traditions Festival encourages people arriving by bike, and the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective provides valet bicycle parking at the event. As the event gets closer, visit the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective for updates on valet bicycle parking locations and times.

Utah Pride Festival

May 17-19, Library Square
Bicycling can be a part of many summer festivals and events, if you ride your bike there! The Pride Festival encourages people arriving by bike, and the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective provides valet bicycle parking at the event. As the event gets closer, visit the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective for updates on valet bicycle parking locations and times.

Road Respect Kick-Off

June
This press event kicks off the statewide Road Respect bike tour promoting mutual respect between drivers and people on bicycles.

Downtown Farmers Market

Saturdays, June: - September, Pioneer Park at 300 West and 400 South
The Downtown Farmers Market encourages people arriving by bike, all summer long. On Saturday mornings, a stream of families on bicylces takes over 300 South as they pedal to the market. The Downtown Farmers Market encourages people arriving by bike, and the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective often provides valet bicycle parking at the event. As the event gets closer, visit the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective for updates on valet bicycle parking locations and times. For more information about the Farmers Market, visit their page.

Utah Arts Festival

June: 20-23
Bicycling can be a part of many summer festivals and events, if you ride your bike there! The Utah Arts Festival encourages people arriving by bike, and the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective provides valet bicycle parking at the event. As the event gets closer, visit the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective for updates on valet bicycle parking locations and times.

Twilight Concert Series

July - August
This event is a major draw for people on bikes, and Salt Lake City Transportation will provide bike safety materials along popular bicycle routes after the concert.

Tour of Utah - Criterium in Salt Lake City

August, Date and Time To Be Announced
Join the fun and watch pro cyclists go head to head at the finish-line. This 130-mile stage of the annual Tour of Utah road race will finish at the Energy Solutions Arena, on 300 West.

Clear the Air Challenge

August 1-31
A month-long contest, the Clear the Air Challenge promotes transportation options other than driving alone.

University of Utah

Bike Day, September, Date and Time to Be Announced
On Bike Day, the University of Utah Commuter Services and Sustainability offices reward and encourage students and faculty arriving by bicycle at the University of Utah, the number one bicycle commuting destination in Utah. Tables along bicycle routes into campus provide free snacks and beverages, as well as bike safety information and other resources.The University of Utah is also putting together a proposal for Commuter Services to staff the Bicycle Shop on campus and reinstate the UBike Rental Program ('Save a Sole, Ride a Bike'). They are also partnering with the Bicycle Collective to offer a Bicycle Valet for Football Games and other events on campus. In the coming weeks the U. is installing a Bicycle Cage at the BUC Building. It will be UCard activated and will act as a case study for the construction of other facilities like this on main campus.

WFRC Active Transportation Committee

Meets Quarterly
The WFRC formed the Active Transportation Committee in 2012, bringing together elected officials and representatives from Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah Counties, the Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Transit Authority, and Utah Department of Health. The committee assists in planning for infrastructure and policies that support walking and bicycling. The committee?s recommendations will be reflected in future updates to the regional transportation system.

Utah Cooperative Active Transportation Study (UCATS)

Scheduled Completion in Fall 2013
A coalition of regional transportation agencies including the Utah Transit Authority, the Utah Department of Transportation, and the Wasatch Front Regional Council, are completing a regional study to determine new bikeway connections to transit. The study will be completed in fall 2013.

600 East Bicycle Boulevard

Scheduled Completion in 2013 An innovative bicycle facility on 600 East will provide a low-traffic, low-speed neighborhood connection that prioritizes bicycles. Extending north and south through most of Salt Lake City, this project will provide a comfortable and safe bicycle route that accommodates riders of all abilities, from children to senior citizens. Benefits will also extend beyond bicycling by reducing auto speeds and cut-through traffic on this neighborhood road, thus increasing pedestrian safety and livability for neighborhood residents.

Parley's Trail Extension

Scheduled Completion: December 2013
A new paved, multi-use pathway will provide a safe and comfortable bicycle route through Sugarhouse, from McClelland to 500 East along streetcar right-of-way. Separated from automobile traffic, this pathway will provide a bicycle route for people of all ages and abilities, while linking neighborhoods with the commercial heart of Sugarhouse.

Salt Lake Transportation Division // 349 South 200 East Suite 450
P: 801.535.6630 // F: 801.535.6019 // bikeslc@slcgov.com