Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Bike Month

Bike Month: Modesto

2:48 PM PDT on May 12, 2017

Downtown Modesto will kick off Bike Month with the much-anticipated return of the Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival, which features the start of the Men's Stage 11 race.  Amy Vickery, the city’s public information officer, said the energy of the tour is very inspiring for others to consider bicycling. For those who want to take it a step further, she said, there are a variety of free cycling events for people of all ages to enjoy throughout Bike Month.
“[It’s not as intimidating] when it’s something the whole community can be involved in,” she said.

In recent years, the city of Modesto has worked to improve it bicycling culture by improving its infrastructure.

Michael Sacuskie, associate engineer and bicycle program coordinator, told Streetsblog there are several more projects in the works. For instance, the Modesto Junior College Bike Path Phase II will begin construction in the fall 2017, as will a rehabilitation project on Tully Road and 9th.

And, he said, “The city is still committed to providing complete street design elements with each and every project.”

Here is a list of Bike Month activities in Modesto:

Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival, Monday, May 15

This festival will be held in downtown Modesto, along 11th Street between H and I streets. The festival provides free race-day activities for spectators, with an emphasis on health and wellness, teaching visitors about healthy living and the benefits of living an active lifestyle. At noon the Men’s Stage II race of the Amgen Tour of California will start in front of the Gallo Center for the Arts. Riders will make two circuits through downtown before passing Modesto High school and heading south to the city of Patterson in Stanislaus County. The race will eventually end in San Jose.

After the race starts, a Community Bike Cruise will follow the official route on an easy, fun ride. It's free, but registration is required; check in at 10th and I streets between 11  and 11:45 a.m. Bicycle racks will be available at the registration location.

Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 18

Bike to Work with Mayor Ted Brandvold. Meet at 6 a.m. at the Village Baking Company & Café in the McHenry Village Shopping Center, 1700 McHenry Ave. The group will depart at 6:30 a.m., ending their ride at City hall, where there will be snacks and prize drawings for all bike commuters. Interested parties can also join the mayor along his route.

Family Cycling Festival & Criterium, Saturday, May 20

The 22nd annual Family Cycling Festival & Criterium will be held at I Street, between 10th and 12th streets, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This family event focuses on bicycle safety and education, and will include bicycle helmet giveaways, BMX bike demos, and a group bicycle ride led by Stanislaus County Bike Club. The community bike ride will traverse the new route from Modesto Junior College East to West Campus, finishing at the I Street Cycling Festival. Two routes, one long and one short, will be available. People are encouraged to ride their bikes to the festival.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Op-Ed: Why Is Fare Evasion Punished More Severely than Speeding?

A.B. 819 offers California the opportunity to decriminalize fare evasion and replace punitive measures with more equitable approaches.

September 21, 2023

Eyes on the Street: Slow Streets in South Pasadena

The city has a sampler platter of quick-build temporary traffic calming installations to experience for the rest of the year

September 21, 2023

Thursday’s Headlines

The joys and risks of walking; Why is Fresno building so much parking? How much will breaking the law cost if you get caught by a speed camera? More

September 21, 2023

Metro Board Looks to Approve $65 Million for 91 Freeway Widening Projects

Metro staff are recommending the board approve funds to support two 91 Freeway expansion projects located in pollution-burdened communities in Southeast L.A. County - in the cities of Long Beach, Artesia, and Cerritos

September 20, 2023
See all posts