BikeFest brings classes, festival, group rides to campus Sept. 20-25

Western bike riders of all levels can join WWU Transportation Services and the Outdoor Center for BikeFest events throughout Welcome Week, with classes starting Monday, Sept. 20, and culminating in a festival and group bike rides Saturday, Sept. 25. The Outdoor Center can provide bikes and helmets to those who need them for classes. Students bringing their own bikes can learn how to check that their bikes are safe to ride.

Here are this year’s BikeFest events:

Learn to Ride class

Monday, Sept. 20, at 3-4:30 p.m. in front of the Rec Center

Students who want to learn to ride or who have not ridden in years, especially those looking to ride on Saturday's town ride, can learn basic bike skills. RSVP to this class here.

 

Confident City Cycling Class

Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 3-4:30 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 23, at 4:30-6 p.m. in front of the Rec Center

Looking to start bike commuting or are interested in learning more about it? Students can join one of the Confident City Cycling class to learn the ins and outs of riding on city streets. RSVP for Tuesday’s class here, or RSVP for Thursday’s class here.

 

BikeFest Festival and Fashion Show

Saturday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m. in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room

Check out helpful information tables hosted by community partners, Transportation Services, and the Outdoor Center (OC). Bike checks with a mobile bike stand and tools will be available for anyone to have their bike looked at to assure it is in working order (air, fitting, shifting, etc.). Participants without bikes can get rentals from the OC during this time.

Check out the BikeFest Fashion Show! Local designers and shops have been invited to show gear and clothing that makes cycling look more approachable and casual than typically characterized. Learn more and RSVP here.

 

Group Bike Rides

Saturday, Sept. 25, at 2:30 p.m., starting at the Outdoor Center

The length of rides can be variable based on the number of riders and the desire to ride. The town ride will be more beginner-friendly and will have a focus of exploring Bellingham by bike. The route will go down into Fairhaven and over the Taylor Dock to come back through Downtown Bellingham and will include a stop at the WTA bus station to practice using the bike rack. The road ride is for beginner but more experienced riders and could be a ride to Locust Beach area. The mountain bike ride would take place in Galbraith, and participants could either ride to Galbraith or be transported to a trailhead so more of the ride can be spent biking and be more accessible to new riders. Transportation is dependent on COVID.