Caltrans Joins Secretary, Advocates to Promote Bike Month

SACRAMENTO - More than 100 bicycle riders joined Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, state and local leaders, and advocates on May 7 outside Caltrans Headquarters to promote May is Bike Month celebrations.

Sponsored by the California State Transportation Agency, Caltrans, Office of Traffic Safety, city of West Sacramento, 50 Corridor TMA and Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates, the 7-mile spin May is Bike Month Caltrans Leadership Ride, from midtown to West Sacramento and back, also highlighted the continued growth of bike riding for fitness and fun.

"This is about quality of life," said Secretary Omishakin, who is both an avid bike rider and long-time advocate of alternative transportation options. "There are places in our state - L.A., for example - that are known for their car culture. It's events such as this that will help change that. We want alternative transportation to become the default option."

"We recognize that everyone, regardless of how they choose to travel, whether they are walking, biking, rolling, riding or driving, everyone should arrive at their destination safely," OTC Director Stephanie Dougherty.

"Caltrans is working to make biking easier and more comfortable by adding bike lanes, crossings, and stronger connections to transit across the state," said Susan Lindsay, lead advisor for Caltrans' Complete Streets program. "These long-term improvements will help more people choose biking as a convenient, reliable, and fun way to get around their communities."

"We've been managing May is Bike Month for the last five years, and the whole idea is to get people to leave their car keys at home and to ride their bike for a short trip around town," said Deb Banks, of Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates. "We so recognize that everyone, regardless of how they choose to travel, whether they are walking, biking, rolling, riding or driving, everyone should arrive at their destination safely."

An estimated 5 million Californians regularly ride a bike, a trend that has been on the upswing since the end of the pandemic, according to a 2026 industry survey. To address that new demand, California has invested nearly $1 billion over four years to add some 250 miles of new and improved bike lanes and pedestrian paths statewide.

Among those drawn out of the office on the warm spring afternoon was Rebecca Mowry, who works at the Caltrans headquarters office. She said the ride creates attention and more attention will bring higher awareness of the needs.

"I just think that awareness and education will probably go a long way in making gains for biking," she said. "And for bike safety too."

Charles Crowder, a right-of-way agent from Marysville, agreed. "I have five kids," he said. "I worry about them and wish we could do more to make school routes safer."