SLO Life Tip #2: Shift into SLO gear. With over 75 miles of paved bike paths and singletrack trails, plus wide streets and backroads winding through charming neighborhoods, wine country and all the way to the coast, San Luis Obispo is a cyclist’s paradise.
Especially in May. That’s when National Bike Month takes over town with a calendar packed with bicycle-based fun. It’s less a single event and more a moving monthlong celebration all over bike-friendly SLO. One where every ride can start with pancakes and turn into fried rice. Or miso. Or hard cider. And a few new friends.
It’s all part of living the SLO Life, just with a little more wind in your hair.
Here’s a look at what’s happening during SLO Regional Rideshare’s National Bike Month, along with a few tips on how to explore San Luis Obispo by bike the rest of the year, too.
Standout Events During Bike Month 2026
From group rides and film screenings to free burrito feeds and beyond, map out your Bike Month with events hosted by community partners, local businesses and other supporters of SLO’s vibrant cycling scene.
Signature SLO Bike Month Events
Bike Month Kickoff Party | Friday, May 1, 5–8 p.m.
The party that gets the month rolling. Free tacos, face paint, crafts and three rounds of trivia with prizes.
The Hub, 1701 Monterey St.
Bike Art: Bike After Dark | May 1–31
Bike-related artwork by local creatives. Stop by on opening night or swing by any time throughout the month.
The Hub, 1701 Monterey St.
Los Osos Community Bike Rodeo | May 2, 10 a.m.
Safety obstacle courses, helmet fittings, bike repair, decorating and giveaways, all capped with a group ride to Sea Pines Golf Course.
880 Manzanita Dr. | Los Osos
Pedal to Puzzle | Tuesday, May 5, 5:30 p.m.
Ride fast, think faster in a “jigsaw puzzle race” for prizes. It’s also Cinco de Mayo, so tacos are very much on the table.
Ancient Owl Beer Garden and Bottle Shoppe, 3197 Duncan Rd.
Tour de SLO Group Ride | May 9, 9 a.m.–Noon
A guided ride around town led by SLO Bike Club.
Emerson Park, 1341 Nipomo St.
Filmed by Bike: Adventure | Thursday, May 14, 6–9 p.m.
Bikepacking adventures, thrilling mountain lines and endurance racing, all on the big screen. Five films. 96 minutes. The kind of program that makes you want to clip in the moment it’s over.
Shindig Cider, 2055 Duncan Rd.
Filmed by Bike: JoyRide | Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m. (Tentative)
The second installment in this year’s Filmed by Bike series, hosted by Rideshare and Strong Towns.
The Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St.
Ride of Silence | May 21, 6–7 p.m.
A quietly moving ride to raise awareness for cyclists’ rights on the road.
Bike Kitchen, 860 Pacific St.
Screening: Breaking Away | May 22, 7–10 p.m.
Equal parts nostalgia and motivation with 1979’s cult-classic cycling cinema on the big screen.
The Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St.
Cal Poly Triathlon’s Tour de Donut | May 23 | 8 a.m–Noon
A 20-mile hop between donut shops followed by an uphill time trial Prefumo Canyon Rd., with minutes shaved off riders’ final time for every donut eaten.
793 Foothill Blvd.
REI Bike Month Film Screening | Sunday, May 31
A curated lineup of cycling films focused on adventure and community.
REI, 313 Madonna Rd. Suite B
Closing Party | May 31, 4–5 p.m.
The annual grand send-off, featuring a bike-themed fashion show, awards, a live DJ, dancing, raffles, food and plenty of drinks to clink in celebration of all things cycling.
The Hub, 1701 Monterey St.
Free Food: Bike Breakfasts & Other Bites
Bike Breakfasts are one of SLO Bike Month’s tastiest traditions. Free food, good people and zero prerequisites beyond showing up hungry. Here’s a sneak preview of a lineup that keeps growing throughout the month.
MYLR Bookstore Bike Breakfast | May 6 | 1238 Monterey St. | 7 a.m.
Coffee, bites, bikes and books.
SBP Scoops | May 7 | SBP Airport Campus | 4 p.m.
Sundae scaries? Not in SLO. (Especially on a Thursday.) Go ahead and treat yourself to a scoop or three.
Fried Rice at The Establishment | May 9 | 1703 Santa Barbara Ave. | 11 a.m.
A fried rice party serving up fresh batches every five minutes and more than just an occasional “wok” joke.
Bike for Pretzels | May 11 | Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm Rd. | 4 p.m.
First 20 people to bring their helmet to the bar get a free soft pretzel.
GH Sports Bike Breakfast | May 13 | 1239 Monterey St. | 7 a.m.
Parfaits and pastries: a sweet way to start the day.
TEN OVER STUDIO Chicken & Waffles | May 13 | 539 Marsh St. | 7:30 a.m.
BYO plate and coffee mug and perk up with a marriage of flavors that has to be tasted to be believed.
Cherry Lane Brake with Shindig Cider | May 15 | Serra Meadows Bike Path (end of Margarita Ave) | 4:15 p.m.
A perfect pause for well-earned snacks and sips of SLO-brewed cider.
Vegan Brekky Burritos on da Bike Bridge | May 18 | Mill St. & Pepper St. | 7:30 a.m.
Grab-n-go breakfast burritos on the Pepper Street Bike Bridge without a single animal product in sight.
County of SLO Health Agency Mental Health Breakfast | May 19 | 277 South St. | 7 a.m.
Breakfast burritos, bike safety swag and a reminder that a short ride goes a long way for wellness.
SLOFD Pancake Breakfast | May 20 | 2160 Santa Barbara Ave. | 7 a.m.
Full stacks and fixings served by friendly local firefighters.
Ashley & Vance Engineering Breakfast | May 21 | 1229 Carmel St. | 7 a.m.
Homemade sourdough pancakes that just might change your pancake game for good.
Pedal-Powered Miso Hour | May 23 | 1690 San Luis Dr. | 10 a.m.
Grind the beans with human power, learn the miso-making process and dig into a bowl of the delicious results.
Bike for Burritos | May 27 | Wallace Group, 612 Clarion Ct. | 6:30 a.m.
Bikes. Free breakfast burritos. Good people. No notes.
Bike to Bagels | May 29 | Bike Kitchen, 860 Pacific St. | 7 a.m.
Bagels, coffee and new friends swapping their SLO Bike Month stories.
Cyclin’ Without Age Ice Cream Social | May 30 | The Village at the Palms, 55 Broad St. | 3 p.m.
Electric trishaw rides and free McConnell’s ice cream for the whole family.
View the full and always-expanding National Bike Month calendar at SLO Regional Rideshare and be sure to follow @slorideshare for info and updates.
Year-Round SLO Rides
National Bike Month is quite the occasion, but SLO is a year-round cycling destination. Since 2007, the city has been designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, cranking up to gold level in 2015, and in June 2020, PeopleForBikes rated SLO the #1 small city in the United States for bicycling.
In other words, SLO always goes the extra mile for cyclists. Here are a few ways it does just that.
Hit the Road: Paved Paths and Bike-Friendly Streets
SLO’s paved network is one of the most accessible in California, whether you’re here for a casual cruise or challenging your distance record.
Bob Jones City to Sea Trail
The crown jewel of SLO’s recreational riding. This flat, paved 3-mile trail runs from the Park & Ride on Ontario Road alongside San Luis Obispo Creek, winding past Avila Valley Barn and finishing at Avila Beach. Suitable for all ages and abilities, genuinely beautiful and ends with an ocean view. Pack a lock and your bathing suit.
Bill Roalman Bike Boulevard
Downtown SLO’s perfectly named bike-priority thoroughfare runs along Morro Street, where drivers are redirected and cyclists get the road to themselves. About three-quarters of a mile, connecting downtown to the train station. A perfect car-free cruise through the heart of SLO.
Railroad Safety Trail
A smooth, flat trail that runs along the tracks through the Railroad District, with plenty of places to park awhile and enjoy the historic neighborhood’s scenery and greenery.
Madonna Inn Bike Path
A short, scenic three-quarter-mile path linking Laguna Lake Park to downtown SLO. Perfect for a morning warm-up or a lazy afternoon loop.
Hit the Dirt: SLO Mountain Biking Trails
SLO’s trail network gives mountain bikers everything from mellow beginner loops to technical singletrack that brings the thrills.
Cerro San Luis
Ask any local for their favorite rides and this one’s on the list. A moderately challenging climb with panoramic views of the city and beyond. A mix of flow and technical sections that rewards both first-timers and regulars alike.
Irish Hills Trails
Over 7 miles ranging from beginner to advanced, all wrapped in rolling hillsides with wildlife, open meadows and the kind of quiet that reminds you why you got into this. A great first stop for visiting riders who want to feel out the terrain.
Shooters, West Cuesta Ridge
This experts-only trail drops from Cuesta Grade off Highway 101 into the Los Padres National Forest with elevated wooden surfaces, jumps and berms. Serious terrain, serious views, serious fun.
Hazards Peak, Montaña de Oro
A 4.1-mile climb through eucalyptus groves to 360-degree views of the Central Coast—Morro Rock, the Pacific, all of it—easily one of the region’s best rewards for going uphill.
Gear Up: Bike Shops & Rentals
SLO has everything a cyclist needs, including bikes. Local shops offer rentals, repairs, gear and services, with knowledgeable staff who can point you toward the right trail for your style.
Foothill Cyclery (767 E. Foothill Blvd.)
Voted Best Bike Shop by Mustang News, Foothill is the kind of place that caters to avid cyclists and curious first-timers in equal measure. Rentals available.
Art’s Cyclery (3988 Short St.)
Started in 1982 as a one-person shop in Los Osos, now a global cycling resource with deep local roots. The staff rides the trails they sell you on, which is exactly the kind of advice you want. Rentals available.
BoltAbout (472 Front St., Avila Beach)
Electric bike rentals for daily and weekly visitors, right at the end of the Bob Jones Trail. A perfect option if you want to extend your range, or simply take in the panoramas without all the pedaling.
Bike-Friendly Hotels in SLO
Although it’s hard to find a SLO hotel that isn’t bike-friendly (and pedaling distance from the path), some properties make it even easier to roll out of bed and onto the trail, even without your own wheels. Loaner bikes are included amenities at Hotel San Luis Obispo, Hotel Cerro, Granada Hotel & Bistro and San Luis Creek Lodge, while The Wayfarer SLO offers on-site rentals.
Roll Models: Keeping SLO Green
Riding here isn’t just about getting around. Every mile on two wheels is a small way to make sure SLO stays as beautiful as it is right now—and helps move the needle on the city’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2035. Swapping four wheels for two means less traffic, more fresh air and an easier pace that lets you appreciate this incredible place.
Call it sustainable. Call it simple. Around here, it’s just how we get around. Learn more about SLO’s commitment to being green.
Share the Road, Share the Ride
Whether you’re clipping in for the first time or logging your hundredth mile, SLO has a Bike Month moment with your name on it. Pedal out. Pack an appetite. Post your favorite snaps with #ShareSLO and ride on.