Stay safe on the road

• Explore the Asheville Map, selecting “bike facilities” on the layer list to see dedicated bike lanes. Ride with GPS also has a bike route planner.
• The City has three bicycle lockers downtown. Submit an application to secure your bike for a monthly fee.
• For potholes, hazards, or other safety issues you encounter, submit a report through the Asheville App.

Go for a ride

• Asheville on Bikes hosts group rides throughout the week, as well as events, like candidate forums or the Ride of Silence coming up on Wednesday, May 15.
• Riding in Color WNC has regular urban and trail rides for BIPOC cyclists of all skills.
• The nonprofit Blue Ridge Bicycle Club organizes rides throughout WNC, as well as educational + advocacy opportunities.

Have a say in cycling

• Tot Time with Musical Artist Kylie Brown | Wednesday, May 8 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Free with admission, RSVP | Take the little ones on an express tour of the galleries, then go on an interactive art, music, or storytelling adventure.
• Strange Visitors on Brown Mountain | Wednesday, May 8 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain | Free | Uncover the hidden history and discuss the myths, legends, and lore of the Carolinas hosted by podcast “Arcane Carolinas.”

• Peeled Back Featuring Benjamin Tod + Ashley Mae | Thursday, May 9 | 6 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville | $24 | The Orange Peel and Citizen Vinyl are connecting to the artists behind Lost Dog Street Band through an intimate set and curated interview.
• The Evolution of Appalachian Barn Traditions | Thursday, May 9 | 6-7:15 p.m. | Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain | $5-$10 | Learn about our mountains’ role in the post-Revolution settlement era from researcher Taylor Barnhill.

• The One-Liner Workshop | Friday, May 10 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave., Asheville | $30 | Harness the power of storytelling to talk about your business in a captivating way.
• Summer Vibes Improv | Friday, May 10 | 7-10 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10 | Settle in for the last show of Speakeasy Improv’s season with a few of your favorite troupes.

• Montford Car Show | Saturday, May 11 | 3-5 p.m. | Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Dr., Asheville | Free | Hit the pavement for some turbo-charged fun as owners show off their classic, muscle, and sports cars.

• Kids Deserve Justice | Wednesday, May 15 | 4:30-7 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave., Asheville | $25 | Enjoy an evening of outdoor live music + family-friendly fun to support Pisgah Legal Services’ efforts to provide crucial support to local kids.*

• Help for the community is signed, sealed, and delivered. The National Association of Letter Carriers is hosting its annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive this Saturday, May 11. You can leave a donation of nonperishable food items in a sturdy bag next to your mailbox for your carrier to pick up.

• Got an eye for local art? ArtsAVL is looking for community members who know about art needs, organizations, and resources in Buncombe County to join its grant review panels. Learn more about the grants on offer, and check out the panel application.

• Legal Aid of North Carolina, Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, and the Land of Sky Regional Council are teaming up to educate the community about fair housing. Whether you’re looking for housing or providing it, register for one of the two free training sessions on Wednesday, May 22.

• This Saturday, May 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Southside Community Farm is hosting a free workshop on propagating plants. After you grow your green thumb, Elevate Asheville will lead a discussion on climate change resilience for your neighborhood — which will help shape a community resource guide.

• Echo Mountain Recording announced back in March that it will be building an extensive new studio destination — but didn’t share a location for the property. However, Studio Manager Jessica Tomasin confirmed last week that the site will be in Marshall, with plans to break ground in July. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Old Fort has added a few more miles of trail — the Lower Heartbreak Ridge Trail opened for hikers and bikers on Friday, May 3. The intermediate-level trail is a three-mile section of the ongoing 42-mile trail expansion project from the U.S. Forest Service, G5 Trail Collective, and Catawba Vale Collaborative. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• The City of Asheville is seeking input from local home builders for a reevaluation of its Sustainability Rebate Program, which provides rebates on permit fees for new and renovated dwellings that include elements like solar panels and energy-efficient upgrades. Builders can take the survey now through Friday, June 7.

• Learn on the go with North Carolina Virtual Academy. Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is now open. Help your kiddo thrive at their own pace with personalized, public K-12 education. Explore the benefits of going virtual.*

• Servicing your HVAC saves you money on your monthly energy bill — fact or fiction? See the answer.*

• Have you been to the NC Arboretum recently? If so, you may have noticed thousands of fabulously colorful flowers arranged in festive risers throughout the gardens + grounds as part of Bloom with a View. If not, you may consider adding a visit to your weekend plans.*

• Purple Carrot delivers plant-based meals right to your door. This month’s chef-prepared meal kits are spring-themed + filled with seasonal ingredients (think: Super Greens Fried Rice with Peanut Drizzle).*

“Our South: Black Food Through My Lens,” Ashleigh Shanti

“Thoughtful Cooking: Recipes Rooted in the New South,” William Dissen