Strive Not To Drive is set to return this Friday, May 16, through Saturday, May 24, encouraging WNC residents to bike, walk, bus, and carpool across the region. The initiative has been supporting sustainable transportation since the ‘80s, and there are plenty of ways to participate this year. Gear up for these special events:
Roll Out of Work | Friday, May 16 | 5 p.m. | Pritchard Park | Free | The end of the work week marks the start of Strive Not To Drive, ending National Bike to Work Day with an urban ride and a Burial beer.
Bike Polo Newbie Night | Sunday, May 18 | 5-9 p.m. | Malvern Hills Park | Free | Asheville Bike Polo will give you the rundown on how to play the sport sans horse. Bikes and mallets will be provided, but you must know how to bike.
Free Transit Day | Monday, May 19 | 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m. | Asheville | Free | Hop on the bus, which will be free to ride all day. For the rest of the week, fares will be $1 per ride.
Walk/Bike Audit Training Session | Tuesday, May 20 | 5:30-7 p.m. | West Asheville Library | Free, RSVP | Attend this training session to learn how to evaluate bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure — when you complete the training, you can participate in the next day’s Lucy Herring Walk/Bike Audit.
Ride of Silence | Wednesday, May 21 | 6:30 p.m. | Asheville City Hall Plaza | Free | Asheville on Bikes and Blue Ridge Bicycle Club are cohosting the international event honoring riders who have been killed or injured in public rights of way — locally, the event honors Alex Rozos.
Bike-In Cinema | Thursday, May 22 | 6-10:45 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing | Free | Cruise on over to the brewery lawn for an outdoor screening of “E.T.” Bike valet will be available for you to park your ride.
There are even more Strive Not to Drive events happening across Buncombe County and WNC. Check out the full calendar of events and be sure to log your participation — you just might win some prizes, from Tourists tickets to free ART passes.
Just getting started in Asheville’s cycling community? Get rolling with these local resources.
