Small Rides, Big Impact: Biking for Earth Day and Beyond

I still remember the first time I ditched my car and biked to the store instead. It was just a couple of miles away, and my partner incentivized me with the promise of a picnic: “We’ll ride to the grocery store, pick up some sandwich basics, and set up at a picnic table at the park across from the store! We’ll have a great time!”

And he was right. Even though the wind blew the tomatoes right off my sandwich, I was too filled with bike joy to be grumpy about it. On the way back, we even stopped to admire some horses who looked like they were enjoying the sunny, breezy day as much as we were.

That’s the thing about riding a bike—you’re more in tune with your surroundings. You notice the trees budding, the birds chirping, the horses grazing peacefully. It’s a pace that lets you breathe and actually connect with the world around you, instead of zipping by from behind a windshield.

When we got home, I felt genuinely proud. Sure, we didn’t go far, but I’d soaked up some fresh spring air, avoided polluting the planet, and felt a little thrill of satisfaction as I rolled up and parked my bike right at the front of the store instead of circling the lot in my car like usual. Take THAT, Mr. Stole-My-Parking-Spot.

Anyway, switching that short car trip to a bike ride felt like such a small action, but it stuck with me. That’s the magic of riding a bike. It’s simple. It’s fun. And it’s one of the easiest ways to do something positive for the planet.

This Earth Day, if you’re looking for a way to take action that feels meaningful and manageable, start with your next trip. Could you bike it instead of drive? Could you invite a friend along? Could you start a little momentum that keeps rolling?

Earth Day is also the perfect time to start planning for National Bike Month, since May is just over a week away! If you’re looking for some real-world inspiration, we’ve got just the thing: on Tuesday, April 29th at 3 PM ET, we’re hosting a free webinar all about how communities across the country are getting ready for Bike Month. Rolling into Bike Month: Inspiration from Bicycle Friendly Communities will be full of ideas—photo contests, mayoral proclamations, group rides, you name it. Whether you’re organizing your first event or looking to level up, it’s a great way to get motivated and connected.

Trust me, you don’t need to go far or fast—you just need to get started. So check out the Bike Month Guide, sign up for our Bike Month webinar, and start planning something awesome! Because when you ride a bike, you’re not just getting from point A to point B—you’re showing up for the planet. 🚲🌎