Monterey County Bicycling Resources: Bike Shops, Services, Clubs, Events, Infrastructure, and More

This is Bicycling Monterey’s main resources page, the place to locate many Monterey County bike community leaders.
Bicycling Monterey is honored to partner with others in making Monterey County an even more bicycling friendly place.  Our county does not yet have a formal bicycle coalition, and the Bicycling Monterey website serves as an information hub for residents and visitors.

Check with each business, individual, or organization listed below for their most up-to-date information. If you have suggestions for additions or changes to this page, please contact me. There are no paid links. This information is provided as a public service.

Find helpful info on this site? Donations are welcome and appreciated. Click here for more info.

And click here to see the names of some of the many others who also help make the Monterey County bike scene stronger!

Resources you’ll find on this page:

Resources typically of greatest interest to visitors (as well as locals) are highlighted in green.  Each item on the  list is followed by the section number where the info is found on this webpage.

  • Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments/AMBAG (11a)
  • B2B / Bridge to Bridge ride (22)
  • bicycle advocacy opportunities (1)
  • bicycle clubs (6, 27)
  • bicycle commuter emergency ride home program (13)
  • bicycle commuting help/ride companions,  Monterey-Salinas (9c)
  • bicycle facilities board and meetings, countywide (11)
  • bicycle exposition (14) – Annually – April 10-13, 2014
  • bicycle festival (14) – Annual ly- April 10-13, 2014
  • bicycle fit studio (5)
  • bicycle industry leaders (24)
  • bicycle infrastructure – advocacy (1)
  • bicycle infrastructure – including construction projects, and road and lane closures (11)
  • bicycle infrastructure – Safe Routes to School (19)
  • Bicycle Leadership Conference (15) – Annually- April 8-10, 2014
  • bicycle maps are in the Bike Maps section of  Tips for Bicycling Monterey County
  • bicycle mechanics (2, 5)
  • bicycle party (20)
  • bicycle plans (infrastructure)  (11)
  • bicycle races (6, 7, 14, 22) and follow links in the Serious Cyclists section of Tips for Bicycling Monterey County
  • bicycle rental locations (3)
  • bicycle repair/maintenance services (2, 5)
  • bicycle roadway/bikeway conditions – and where to report (11)
  • bicycle safety instruction (9b, 6)
  • bicycle shops (2)
  • bicycle specialty services (5)
  • bicycle tours/guided rides (4)
  • bicycle transportation planners/traffic engineers (11)
  • bicycle-powered courier/delivery service (10)
  • bicycles for people unable to buy their own (17)
  • bike-and-ride options (12)
  • Bike Week/ Bike Month activities (11a) Month of May
  • Ciclovía Salinas / OpenStreets (25)
  • college and university bike resources (8)
  • Complete Streets (11a)
  • elementary school bike resources (19, 27)
  • elementary school cycling clubs (27)
  • Emergency Ride Home program (13)
  • en español, Spanish-speaking bike shop staff  ¿Habla usted español? (2)
  • en español, Spanish-language bike resource materials (1)
  • faith-based biking activities (26)
  • fixies/fixed gear (18)
  • Fort Ord trail info (6a)
  • Gran Fondo (14) – Annually, in April
  • handcycle (8a)
  • HER Helmet Thursdays (16) – Year-round
  • high school cycling teams (7)
  • high school resources (19)
  • Interbike IBD Summit /Independent Bicycle Dealers Summit (23) Annually, in April
  • Intergenerational Ride (11a) Annually, in May
  • League of American Bicyclists Safety Instructor (9b)
  • mobile bicycle mechanic (5)
  • Monterey Bay region biking resources (28)
  • Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District (11a)
  • Monterey Composite Mountain Bike team (7)
  • Monterey County Youth Center bike class (17)
  • Monterey Off Road Cycling Association/MORCA (6a)
  • Monterey Park Cycling (27)
  • mountain bike trail and development info (6a, 11a)
  • mountain biking (6a, 7)
  • Naval Postgraduate School/NPS Cycling Club (6b)
  • Palma School Mountain Bike Team (7)
  • recumbent bikes (3)
  • Ride Out Domestic Violence (22)
  • rides or races to benefit others (22)
  • Safe Routes to School (19)
  • Salinas Bike Party, a Courteous Social Bike Run (20)
  • Salinas High School Mountain Bike Team (7)
  • Salinas Valley Fixed Gear (18)
  • Sea Otter Classic (14) - Annually – April 10-14, 2014
  • Social bike runs (20)
  • Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day – Annually- October 5, 2013 (6a)
  • Transportation Agency for Monterey County/TAMC (11a)
  • Twilight Rides at Laguna Seca – Monthly (22)
  • Velo Club Monterey (6c)
  • Velo Club Monterey Answer Man (9a)
  • and other bicycle or bicycle-powered resources

Seaside PAL Bike Fair, May 2011

1.  Bike Advocacy

Want tips on how to be an effective bike advocate?

And tips on how to help improve bicycle infrastructure?

The list of ways became long and has been moved to a separate page.  For “Bicycle Advocacy:  What you can do,” click here!

Below:  Kaki Cheung of the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), using the Cycle Tracks app in Salinas. Learn more about TAMC in “Section 11: Infrastructure” below.

2.  Local Bike Shops

See “Bike Shops“and ”Repairs and Maintenance“  in the Tips guide for a little more info on some of the shops below, along with some related tips.

Ready to get your bike tuned up, or need a repair?  Want a new bike?   Looking for helmets, lights, flags, high-visibility apparel, gloves, shoes, or other accessories?  Doing errands by bike and want a trailer or other cargo carrier?

Check the websites of these locally owned, independent bike shops, or give them a call.

If you plan to purchase a bike, check these tips on selecting a bike, then ask local bike shop staff for additional guidance.

Carmel Bicycle relocated to Carmel Rancho II in October 2010.

Þ   Aquarian at Bay Bikes (in downtown Monterey/Old Monterey, next to East Village) – 486 Washington St, Monterey; 831/375-2144.

Þ  Bay Bikes (at the mouth of Carmel Valley, just off Class I path; look up for nearby windmill) -  3600 The Barnyard, Carmel; 831/624-RIDE.

Þ   Bear Bikes (in North Salinas, between Sherwood Gardens and Alvin Square; look for  neighboring Kawasaki Suzuki motorcycle dealership) – 1288 North Main, Salinas; 831/444-8460.

Þ   Bobcat Bicycles (in Oldtown Salinas, parallel to and one block east of Main; not far from the Amtrak station and downtown Salinas MST bus plaza) – 141 Monterey, Salinas; 831/753-7433.

Þ   Carmel Bicycle (at the mouth of Carmel Valley, just off Class I path; look up for nearby windmill) – 26543 Carmel Rancho Boulevard, Carmel; 831/625-2211.

Þ  CSUMB Otter Cycle Center (in the Student Center on campus); contact via email. (Accessories, parts, repairs; no bike sales.)

Þ  Doug Chandler Performance AKA DC-10 (next to the Cycle Stop Honda shop) – 517 Abbott, Salinas; 831/422-3270.

Þ  Joselyns Bicycles closed 1/15/12.  The crew is alive and well, and you’ll find some of them working at local bike shops; click here, then see “Looking for some old favorites.”

Þ   Marina Cycle & Skate, 214 Reservation Rd, Marina; 831/384-2453.

Þ  Peninsula Bike Works – (just off freeway; on 10th, up from El Estero Lake and Naval Postgraduate School) 1271 10th St, Suite C, Monterey; 831.643.BIKE (2453).

Þ   Sports Center Bicycles – (close to Class I path near Roberts Lake and Embassy Suites) – 1576 Del Monte Blvd, Seaside; 831/899-1300.

Þ  Tony’s Bike Shop & Skateboards – (behind the Union 76 station), 11398 Haro St, Castroville; 831/272-8409. As of 3/14/13, regular hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Website forthcoming.

Þ   Winning Wheels  - (downtown PG; above Lighthouse Ave, below Pine Ave) – 318 Grand Avenue, Pacific Grove; phone 831/375-4322.

¿Habla usted español? 

Some of the above bicycle shops have Spanish-speaking staff.  If so, they are listed below, in approximate order of present staff members’ level of Spanish fluency/ability:

  1. Tony’s Bike Shop & Skateboards, 11398 Haro St,  Castroville; 831/272-8409. As of 3/14/13, regular hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Website forthcoming.  Ask for Saul.
  2. Sports Center Bicycles, Seaside; ask for Tony.
  3. Aquarian at Bay Bikes, Monterey; ask for Mac.
  4. Bear Bikes, Salinas; ask for Bryan (he’s there Tues-Sat).
  5. Winning Wheels, Pacific Grove (no website, call 831/375-4322); ask for Hector.
Inside Aquarian at Bay Bikes, Monterey

3.  Bike Rentals

See “Bike Rentals” in the Tips guide for additional information.

Bike rental options may include: comfort bikes, cruisers, hybrids, kids’ bikes, kids’ seats, mountain bikes, road bikes, surreys, tandems, trail-a-bikes, trailers, and more.

Rate options may include: rentals by the hour, half-day, all-day, 24-hrs, 2-days, 3-6 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks.

Visitor in Monterey County? To get a Thursday night  lodging discount in the HER Helmet Thursdays project, either BYOB (bring your own bicycle) or rent a bike for one day or longer from any Monterey County bike rental business.  If you’re staying overnight at a HER Helmet Thursdays participating hotel or other lodging venue, you may find that your lodging discount for Thursday night pays for the bike rental!

For updates, check the websites of these bicycle rental spots, or give them a call.

More details are provided in the Bicycle Rentals and Tours section of this site’s Tips guide.

Besides having rentals…

  • Aquarian at Bay Bikes is also a full-service bike shop.
  • Bay Bikes, Carmel and Monterey, both provide full service (repair/maintenance).  The Carmel store will have more parts in stock, and the Monterey store can access parts from Carmel.  Also note that their new Carmel location will focus more on sales, with limited rentals.  Bay Bikes location in Monterey focuses more on rentals, with limited sales.  For the most accurate and up-to-date info, please contact Bay Bikes.
Recumbent bicycle rentals

Looking for a recumbent you can rent to ride in Monterey County?  Thanks to our neighbors just to the north, Easy Racers, this is now possible.  Even though there are no recumbent bikes for rent right in Monterey County as of August 2011, Easy Racers is happy to rent to those who require a recumbent, then want to ride it in Monterey County.    Headquarters for Easy Racers is in Watsonville, and their blog features used recumbents for sale, too.

4.  Bicycle Tours/Guided Rides

With regard to bike specialty services (below)…

Monterey County is fortunate to have some true bicycle master craftsmen, including on Forest Hill in Pacific Grove.

5.  Bicycle Specialty Services

Contact these bike specialists to learn more about their areas of expertise.

Þ   Asana Cycles,  Devian Gilbert, owner. Devian is a bicycle lifestylist, United Bicycle Institute certified mechanic, and winner of the 2011 Golden Helmet Award for Monterey County.  He is available for a variety of services, including guided rides, mobile mechanic, and general support.  

Þ   Burnham Coaching. Chris Burnham, owner. Personal coaching for endurance cyclists (and other athletes), varied disciplines and ability levels.  Bike fit studio by appointment only.

Þ   Forest Hill Bike Shop (custom bikes and service by Joseph Crabtree, including pro builds for road, mountain, and cyclocross); 1173 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove; 831/644-0525.

Club members socializing on the triangle plaza in Monterey,

outside Aquarian at Bay Bikes and HER Helmet Thursdays spot East Village Coffee Lounge

6.  Cycling Clubs

Also see section 18

Our local bike clubs are a great source of info not found on this site—they are so active, there’s no way I can keep up with them!  Visit their websites.  You may also want to get on their email lists for frequent updates on all kinds of cycling-related info, plus announcements about activities such as group rides,  trail work days, and social events.

These local clubs work–and play–hard to make a more bike-friendly county, and many local cyclists are active in more than one club.  Visitors join on rides too.  See the Serious Cyclists section of the Tips guide for more info.

Safety instruction through cycling clubs:  All three clubs share some bike safety tips with their members and friends.  Refer to resources on their websites or contact them for more info.   MORCA also hosts an annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day that includes bike safety.

morca_header2rndtop

(6a) Monterey Off Road Cycling Association

Want the most up-to-date info on biking the Fort Ord trails, or on where it’s legal to mountain bike in parks? Start with MORCAmtb.org, plus the MORCA Google group.  Want to ride with experienced local mountain bikers?  See MORCA’s activities calendar, and for more, check MORCA Google group.  MORCA, “A Voice for Responsible Mountain Biking in Monterey County,” is the local bike community’s go-to for staying informed and involved regarding Fort Ord trails and development issues, and the reassessment of the Fort Ord Reuse Plan.   MORCA’s  community projects also include Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day.

(6b) Naval Postgraduate School Foundation Cycling Club

NPS is a very bike-friendly institution, as evidenced by their leadership in demonstrating the best bicycle parking in Monterey County! As you’ll see if you follow that “parking” link, NPS Cycling Club members are also strong ambassadors and advocates for the Monterey County bike community.  Active in both road and mountain biking, the club includes approximately 100 active and over 300 legacy members.  Members include military officers attending NPS or the Defense Language Institute, and others all over the world, as well as instructors, support personnel, and spouses.  See their calendar of regularly scheduled activities on the NPS Cycling Club webpage.

(6c) Velo Club Monterey

Think those racers in spandex are heartless?  Not in the least!  Velo Club Monterey isn’t just about racing, or recreation (although this is a fun bunch!).  Check this example of how Velo Monterey helps other cyclists.  Want to ride with Velo?  Check out the Local Rides on the VCMonterey.org website.  And as announced on Bicycling Monterey’s Acknowledgements and Opportunities page, Velo webmaster Steve E. Anderson made a special donation to the HER Helmet Thursdays project–he created the logo.  See it on the Velo Monterey homepage! VCM supports local bike advocacy–including the Bicycling Monterey site; click here. Read some of the history of VCM in the 4/26/13 Carmel Pine Cone; click here, then scroll to page 22A.

7.  High School Cycling Teams

Picture

  • Salinas High Cowboys Racing Mountain Bike Team.  This co-ed team holds a special place of honor in the Monterey County bike community:  SHS is the first organized public high school MTB team in the county!  Check them out on this site–click here; and visit the team’s own website.  For more info, contact Jim Warwick, one of the team coaches, at 831-262-4152, or email them via their website.
  • Palma School has started a high school mountain bike team as of January 2013. Click here to learn more.
  • Monterey Composite Mountain Bike Team offers female and male students in grades 9-12 from any Monterey County public, private, homeschool/unschool to join this co-ed team.  Check them out on this site–click here. Contact James Lawrence , (831)264-3048 or email jamesglawrence [AT] msn [DOT] com.

8.  College and University Resources

(8a) California State University at Monterey Bay / CSUMB

Trip Wise Biker: CSUMB has a wide range of bike-related services and support for the CSUMB community.  Check out their many Wise Biker resources (http://transportation.csumb.edu/biking), including availability of a handcycle.  Contact Megan Tolbert, Transportation Planner, with questions, including about bike-and-ride and other transportation options.

Otter Cycle Center:  CSUMB’s Otter Cycle Center is a campus bike center with bike rentals, along with maintenance/repair and other support–including organized rides.   Stop by during these hours or reach Otter Cycle Center via email.

(8b) Hartnell College

Alternative Transportation page includes bicycling information.

(8c) Monterey Institute of International Studies / MIIS

The Community/Life in Monterey/Local Resources/Transportation section includes a Cycling in Monterey page.

(8d) Naval Postgraduate School / NPS

The NPS Cycling Club webpage features an activities calendar and other resources.  A club brochure is distributed to new students at the NPS clubs fair held at the school each quarter:  NPS Tri-Fold Info Flyer v5

Also see…

Back to the Books–and Bikes–in Monterey County

9.  Other Bicycling Support

(9a) Velo Club Monterey Answer Man

Jan Valencia

Contact via the Velo Club website

Catch Jan on Twitter – @jvalen – Twitter.com/jvalen

Jan has generously helped visiting and local cyclists for many years, both as Velo Club Monterey’s Answer Man and informally.  Weekdays, he bike commutes from his Seaside home to his Salinas  business.  Weekends?  He bikes more!   Contact Jan for reliable local tips and sound cycling advice on road biking in Monterey County and beyond.

(9b) Safety Instruction

Frank Henderson of Marina has been a League of American Bicyclists certified instructor (LCI #1432) since 2005.  Frank is available for classes and workshops, helmet fitting, distribution of free helmets, and generally presenting information on safe street cycling.   Watch this video of Frank sharing bike safety tips.  See http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/ for more about what he does.   Contact Frank by phone: 831-755-6738 or email: fhenders@hartnell.edu

Frank was the winner of the 2010 Golden Helmet Award for Monterey County.

Local bike clubs offer safety tips or instruction.  Refer to bike clubs info.

Local bike shops sometimes offer safety instruction too.  Sports Center Bicycles in Seaside is one that offers instruction periodically; you may also inquire at other local shops (found above, on this page).  Another option is to research national chain stores with significant bicycle departments; some may offer bike safety instruction locally.

(9c) Bike commuter help/ride companions between Monterey Peninsula and Salinas

Bike commute between the Peninsula and Salinas? Phil Yenovkian and Frank Henderson have done that for years.  They are available, as community volunteers, to help others enjoy this bike commute too.  Beginners welcome!  Click here for more details, then contact Phil Yenovkian to schedule meeting up for the ride, or to ask questions:  warrantone [AT] gmail [DOT] com

10.  Bicycle Courier/Delivery

Green Pedal Couriers.  Bicycle-powered courier/messenger/delivery  service.   Green Pedal is owned by Monterey County native Michael Baroni, and Mike’s courier service has been “riding the peninsula since 2009″; see http://www.greenpedal.org or the Green Pedal Tumblr page: http://greenpedalmonterey.tumblr.com/

Call Mike (831/920-8181) for the most up-to-date information. Service areas may include Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Marina (including CSUMB campus), Monterey (including Ryan Ranch and Garden Road), Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City, and Seaside.

11.  Bicycle Infrastructure

Bike plans
  • Monterey County – Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, December 2011. The plan was reviewed and endorsed by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) Board of Directors, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory and the Technical Advisory Committees. Members of the public also provided comments on the plan.  On Dec 7, 2011, the Master Plan was approved by TAMC’s Board of Directors and referred to the California Department of Transportation for certification.  This is an important document guiding bicycle and pedestrian planning in Monterey County for years to come.  It identifies regionally significant bicycle projects and highlights areas for pedestrian improvements, which will assist in prioritizing funding and facilitating implementation of a comprehensive countywide network.
  • TAMC will have the most current county info. The county’s website may not be current; if you’d like to check it, you may wish to start with the Monterey County Resources Agency Department of Public Works webpage.
  • City of Marina -  Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, adopted February 2, 2010.
  • City of Monterey -  Bicycle Transportation Plan, adopted 17 Nov 2009. Click here for information on Monterey on the Move: Multi-Modal Mobility Plan, which expands the 2009  Bicycle Transportation Plan and identifies ways to strengthen the connection between bicycling, walking and transit.
Want better bike infrastructure?

See “Bicycle Advocacy:  What you can do.”

(11a) Infrastructure Countywide

including Roadway Condition Reports; Road and Lane Closures; and Annual Bike Week

Infrastructure

Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC)

Andy Cook is now the Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. (Previous coordinator Kaki Cheung has shifted to other TAMC transportation programming activities.)

Contact Andy at (831) 775-4411, or via email at: andy@tamcmonterey.org

Contact Andy with questions or comments about Monterey County bike infrastructure.  He is the go-to person when it comes to reporting roadway conditions affecting cyclists, bikeway closures due to construction, and much more.

Bikeway conditions: Contact him directly, or use the online Bicycle Facilities Service Request form to report bikeway conditions, including: potholes, debris on shoulders or bikeways, bikeways not clearly marked, damaged or missing bikeway signs, traffic signal not triggered by bicycles (no bike detection), vegetation overgrowth, construction obstacles, and other conditions interfering with safe and efficient travel by bike.

Bike rack/locker needs: You may use TAMC’s Bicycle Protection Program form if you would like to request bicycle racks or lockers, as funds become available.

Scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County will normally be posted on the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) “What’s New” page.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Board

Names of board members, and meeting schedule, agendas,  and minutes are all provided online at the TAMC site.

Complete Streets

TAMC transportation planner Ariana Green’s responsibilities at the agency include Complete Streets. Contact Ariana by phone (831-775-4403) or email: ariana@tamcmonterey.org

Annual Bike Week or Bike Month activities

2014: In support of Bike Month, Monterey County’s 3rd Annual Intergenerational Ride will take place Saturday of Bike Week 2014. Click here for details. As Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD) knows,  there are many ways to celebrate Bike Week / Bike Month in the Monterey Bay region. Click here for some Monterey County activities for May 2013.

Every May from 1996-2012,  TAMC has gone all out during Tri-County Bike Week in order to encourage more people to bicycle Monterey County year-round.  In 2012, some of the Monterey County activity was taken on by Monterey Bay region partner Ecology Action of Santa Cruz. Visit the Annual  Bike Week page to learn more.

For 2013, with regret, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County finds it necessary to scale back Bike Week. Look for more TAMC Bike Week activities in 2014. For 2013, TAMC will contract with Ecology Action to do bike rodeos at up to eight Monterey County schools. Keep up with TAMC’s Bike Week/Bike Month-related decisions and activities via TAMC’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District

Alan Romero, a planner on staff with MBUAPCD, summarized on 3/14/13 how MBUAPCD impacts bicycling.  “The Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District has awarded over $7M in bike infrastructure, bike education and outreach over the past 21 years. Current grants awarded include: Continuous annual funding for Bike to Work Week (TAMC, San Benito LTA, AMBAG, and SCCRTC), a bike sharing feasibility study to TAMC, a bike count project to the County of Monterey, development and implementation of a web-based bike travel demand model to AMBAG, Pvt. Bolio/Hawthorne Bikeway Connection study to the City of Monterey, and in the past, lots of miles of Class 2 and 3 bike infrastructure in the tri-county area.”

CalTrans

You may also wish to check out the California Department of Transportation’s Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) webpage.  Then, locally, check in with TAMC, a BTA key partner, to learn more about these funds.  The CalTrans Bicycle Program Manager is Penny Gray, 916- 653-2750 – email: Penny_Gray@dot.ca.gov

See Complete Intersections: A Guide to Reconstructing Intersections and Interchanges for Bicyclists and Pedestrians (2010) and also Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities in California:  A Technical Reference and Technology Transfer Synthesis for Caltrans Planners and Engineers (July, 2005).

(11b) Infrastructure – Cities of Monterey County

Individual cities have either a city traffic engineer or a city planner.  Some cities may have a bicycle-focused committee, like this one that has been active in the City of Salinas. (As of 4/30/13, here’s an update: That committee will be active again in the future. Meanwhile, a Salinas bike advocate serves on the Salinas Traffic Advisory Committee. And Traffic Advisory Committee member/s attend TAMC’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meetings.)

See “Bicycle Detection at Traffic Signals” on this site for examples of the commitment to safe, fun bicycling shown by municipal leaders–in this case, by the City of Monterey Traffic Engineer, Rich Deal and the City of Salinas Transportation Planner, James Serrano--both of whom bike themselves. 

For City of Salinas, you may report a roadway condition directly to the City using this link. 

Ways to help

Expressing appreciation to the Monterey City Council, Salinas City Council, and other local cities’ councils for bike infrastructure improvements is one way you can help.  Voicing the needs of cyclists at city planning meetings is another way.

Federal, state, and local budget cuts have resulted in cuts to city staff hours in most places.  When making a request or posing a question to a city employee, please be mindful of that.  If  your circumstances permit, ask how you can help.   Whether by serving on a city board or committee, a countywide committee, or in other ways, consider being part of the solution with regard to bicycle infrastructure needs.

12.  Bike-and-Ride Options

Can’t bike all the way to (or make the return trip from) your destination?  Refer to the bike-and-ridesection on this site.  You’ll find tips there for making use of the Monterey-Salinas Transit System (MST) buses, and other bike-and-ride options, including bike racks for personal vehicles, trains, taxicabs, hotel shuttles, airport shuttle, corporation aviation, and rental cars.


Watsonville? Yes! The MST goes out of county too!

13.  Emergency Ride Home for Commuters

Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) Commute Alternatives provides some biking info. AMBAG also offers an Emergency Ride Home Program, part of Commute Alternatives.

If you are registered for the program and use your bicycle or another form of alternative transportation–such as the Monterey Salinas Transit system (MST bus)–even one day a week, you can get reimbursed for taxi or rental car fee of up to $60 if the unexpected occurs.

14.  Sea Otter Classic

“A Celebration of Cycling,” including Mountain, Road and Cyclocross Races, Gran Fondo Recreational Rides (Road and Mountain), Expo, Activities for Kids, Little Bellas Day Camp, and Much More

The Sea Otter Classic is the bicycle world’s premiere festival and one of the world’s largest.

Sea Otter Classic - April 18-21, 2013 - Monterey, California, USA (Powered by SRAM)

This popular event, marking its 23nd year in 2013, takes place every April right here in Monterey County.  The Sea Otter Classic attracts world-renowned racers, both road and mountain, and in its third year, added cyclocross races as well.  And Sea Otter isn’t just for racers, it’s for everyone–of any age–who loves bicycles!

This four-day event  includes North America’s largest bicycle exposition, along with Sea Otter Village featuring lots of fun, free activities for kids and others.  Check out the Festival section at SeaOtterClassic.com. 

Gran Fondo fully supported recreational rides are part of the Sea Otter Classic.  In 2013, these rides were scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday. Check SOC website or contact SOC for details and updates.

Type “Sea Otter Classic” in Bicycling Monterey’s search window to read about the Sea Otter Classic on this site.

2014 dates:  April 10-13.

15.  Bicycle Leadership Conference

What a special bike week in Monterey County!  During the annual Sea Otter Classic week, Monterey County also welcomes the annual Bicycle Leadership Conference (and the Interbike IBD Summit–see section 18 below).

Visit the Bicycle Leadership Conference website (http://www. BicycleConference.com) for details on the BLC.  See local tips for conference attendees on this site.

2014 dates:  April 8-10.

16.  HER Helmet Thursdays

Males and females of all ages, locals and visitors, can get discounts at participating Monterey County businesses and organizations on Thursdays just because they ride a bike. 

Where and how?  For listings and FAQs, click here. 

For quick links to further information, see HER Helmet Thursdays INFO.

Dates:  Ongoing, year-round, with some date restrictions.

17. Bikes and bicycle gear for people unable to buy their own

Yes, in Monterey County, there are people whose budgets do not, at this time, allowing purchasing a bike and essential bike gear, such as headlights for night riding or helmets for youth. Here are ways to help them get on two wheels!

Graduates of the Monterey County Probation Department Youth Center bike repair and safety class would benefit from donations of bike locks, lights, pumps, tool kits, and more.  See “Getting on the right path” for more info, and contact me if you might be able to help.

Gears 4 Good is a small local organization organized by Steve Benes with a goal of providing bikes to those who cannot afford them. Gears 4 Good is a 501 (3) (c) nonprofit, since March 2013. Please visit http://www.gears4good.com/ and email Steve with your questions and offers to help.

See “How to help: Bikes, gear, skills for youth and others without” for a variety of additional opportunities.

18. Fixed Gear / Fixies

Note: If riding on California roadways, bicycles must be equipped with a brake that allows an operator to execute a one-braked-wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement. CVC 21201(a).

F. N. B.

F.N.B. / Fixed Not Broken is a Fixed Gear Cycling Club.  Contact:  green8661@gmail.com – on Twitter @green8661.  See guest post by co-founder Jesse Martinez,  “Spinning Spokes and Telling Jokes: The birth of the FNB ride group.”

As of 3/25/13, F.N.B. group ride dates are not being scheduled. However, founder Jess Martinez continues to put a lot of miles on his bike and to remain active as a bike advocate. Jess welcomes you to email him.

Salinas Valley Fixed Gear

A community of fixed gear/track bike riders who strive to think outside the box.  Visit their blog:   SalinasValleyFixedGear.blogspot.com for events/races/group rides, required waivers, and to learn more.

19.  Safe Routes to School

While municipal employees have many other duties as well, the following serve as community contacts for local Safe Routes to School information.  

Monterey County Health Department: Traffic Safety and Injury Prevention Coordinator, Susan Kent, 831-755-8975.   Please keep in mind that while there is much that Ms. Kent would love to do, available time and resources do not allow that.  If you contact her, please ask how you can help.

Ms. Kent and MCHD health educator Debra Dunn (831-755-4594) are coordinating Safe Routes to School activities in conjunction with a 21-month state grant that begins March 1, 2013. The grant will benefit five Monterey County elementary schools (click here). Volunteer to help!

For more Safe Routes resources, type “Safe Routes to School” in this site’s search window (you’ll find “Kids biking to school,” which includes some of what’s happening in local elementary and high schools, and more).  Also see the en español resources page.

20. Social Bike Runs

Salinas Bike Party

You may have experienced bike parties of all sorts in other cities. Here in Monterey County, SBP is a social bike run, and if considered a mass, it’s a Courteous Mass. All types of bicyclists, and from neighboring towns, are invited–any rider willing to follow the Salinas Bike Party rules. Among the rules are following California bike laws. Download a summary here:

SBP Law Summary

This community event, launched August 3, 2012, anticipates ongoing monthly bike parties, usually riding in Salinas. Check in with SBP for any changes. Their aim is to “get on a bike and have fun,” and to roll in a way that is safe and positive for the entire community.

Website, SalinasBikeParty.com; on Twitter, @bikesalinas; Facebook, Salinas Bike Party.

Email salinasbikeparty@gmail.com and ask to meetup for coffee to learn more about their goals and vision, or to volunteer to help with a ride, social media, or in other ways.

21.  Do-It-Yourself Bike Maintenance Stations

  • Salinas High School (established 8/27/12, for any SHS students). Click here for announcement. Questions? Contact Jim Warwick, 831-262-4152.
  • CSUMB (as of 8/29/12, pending installation). Two DIY stations will become part of CSUMB’s  Wise Biker resources (http://transportation.csumb.edu/biking).  Contact Megan Tolbert, Transportation Planner, with questions.

22.  Annual Bike Rides or Races to Benefit Others

The below is a sampling of such rides that take place in Monterey County. You’ll find more throughout this site, and elsewhere online.

Many others on this webpage also host rides, races, or other bike-related events whose benefits include supporting charities. Among these is the annual Sea Otter Classic.

23.  IBD Summit/ Independent Bike Dealers Summit

“The premiere educational and networking event for independent bicycle retailers.”

A Retail Academy & Industry Networking Event. The Sea Otter Classic and Interbike partnered on this new event for Monterey in 2012, and the IBD Summit is back, April 16-18, 2013.  Click here for info at Bicycling Monterey, including local tips for summit attendees.  Visit TheIBDSummit.com to learn more.

Bicycle dealers who attended Sea Otter Classic’s special 2011 Dealer Days would likely enjoy the IBD Summit.

24.  Bicycle Industry Leaders

Monterey County is home of Light & Motion. Learn more about this local company, which designs, manufactures, and assembles many of its lights right here in Monterey County. Click here.

Light & Motion, along with SIDI America, which also has a welcome Monterey County presence, are world renowned companies who “think globally, act locally.” Just one example:   Both are supporters of the Monterey County Probation Department Youth Center’s bicycle repair and safety class.

25. Ciclovia Salinas / Open Streets

The first Ciclovía Salinas event is planned for August 25, 2013. Check in with Ciclovía Salinas for updates.

Community volunteers are helping to create Ciclovía Salinas, which will be Monterey County’s first Ciclovia/Open Streets event and California’s 9th, according to the California Bicycle Coalition.

No website yet (as of 5/17/13).  Ciclovía Salinas is on Twitter @cicloviasalinas and on Facebook ciclovia.salinas.

Preferred contact method is to email the Salinas Ciclovía Committee: cicloviasalinas@gmail.com

The Ciclovía /Open Streets proposal has been supported in part by Building Healthy Communities (a California Endowment project), with sponsors including the Hartnell College Foundation. More sponsors are welcome!

Natalie Oliver serves as a contact for Salinas Ciclovía advocates. Contact Natalie to offer help in bringing this dream to reality. Students needing community service hours will find this an exciting volunteer opportunity. Email cicloviasalinas@gmail.com – or if necessary, phone Natalie at 831-262-1110.

A Ciclovía presentation was part of  TAMC’s 4/3/13 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee meeting. Sign up for TAMC Bike/Ped committee meeting updates to stay informed about such items on the agenda.

26. Faith-Based Biking Activities

Shoreline Outdoors: Roy Pina, Children’s Ministry leader at Shoreline Community Church, is the person to contact for Shoreline Outdoors.

27. Elementary School Cycling Clubs

Monterey Park Cycling: Click here to learn about Monterey Park Cycling,  a bike club for students of Monterey Park School, a Salinas City Elementary School. With the active support of two cyclists–Principal Ron Dillender and educator Cliff Siegel–these K-5 South Salinas kids are learning by bike. Check them out, then play a fun game of copy-cat and start a cycling club at an elementary school you are part of!

28. Monterey Bay Region Bike Resources

AMBAG and Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control District, found elsewhere on this web page, serve the Monterey Bay Tri-County region–which includes San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties, as well as Monterey County.

The Bicycling Monterey website’s primary focus is Monterey County. However, if you type the names of a few of our Monterey Bay neighbors, e.g.,  “Santa Cruz,” ‘Watsonville,” and “San Benito,” in the site’s search window, you’ll find them here! To narrow your focus, see “Search Tips/Navigating This Site.”

Some of the many good biking resources from San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties are highlighted on this site in the Bike Maps section of  Tips for Bicycling Monterey County.

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Posted by: marilynch on December 21, 2009.on May 20, 2013.