Bicycle Safety Month

April 30, 2026

by Tom Ewing

The designation of May 1976 as National Bicycle Safety Month led communities to organize rides, traffic engineers to issue guidance, and bicycle stores to offer sales. In Indianapolis, the mayor rode a bike as part of the celebration, which also included adult cyclists following guided tours around historic landmarks.

In Winn Parish, Louisiana (and certainly elsewhere), schools organized programs that emphasized safe riding, such as using hand signals, and how to make minor repairs.

In Corvalles, Oregon, a photo series included a list of “don’ts of biking” such as “don’t ride double, don’t ride without hold on to the handle bars; don’t ride through stop signs; don’t ride on the left side of the road; don’t ride without lights at night.” Very few adults or children these photographs wore helmets, thus illustrating how perceptions and practices have changed in the last fifty years. 

Safety also featured in the planning of the Bikecentennial. Dave Knox, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, reported that the training of group leaders stressed safety: “Each leader must have a Red Cross certificate or proficiency in first aid. Proper riding techniques are taught, especially for downhill riding. Some of the downhill grades will be as much as 20 miles long.” A map accompanying this article included stylized landmarks, including Virginia’s many mountains.