May is National Bike Month & National Historic Preservation Month!

Celebrating Nationwide
National Bike Month was established in 1956, and is celebrated coast-to-coast.  Celebrations typically include engagement and education efforts, activities, and a designation of Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day. 

In 2021, the League of American Bicyclists is focusing on well-being and connection, highlighting how you can #BikeThere during bike month with physical and mental  health benefits.  

Bike to Work Week is May 17-23, 2021, and Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 21, 2021.
National Historic Preservation Month was first established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1973 as National Preservation Week.   In 2005, the National Trust extended this celebration to the entire month of May, providing a way to promote historic places while celebrating the diverse and unique heritage of our country's cities and states. 

In 2021, the City of Columbia will be promoting a number of activities and events throughout May that focus on the history and architecture of Columbia.  A calendar of events can be found below.

Celebrate Locally!
Bike Month & Preservation Month are a perfect pair!  Our historic neighborhoods and business districts are easily accessed and enjoyed on two wheels, and generally our weather in May is perfect for exploring the City!  While we hope you celebrate year-round, May is a great time to be more intentional about it, and to take advantage of the additional resources offered as part of local celebrations.

This May, our City-sponsored local celebrations will focus on providing you with opportunities to celebrate virtually, or safely socially-distanced with a few friends or family members, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Check out the activities, events, and resources below, and stay tuned to our Instagram and Facebook accounts to participate in our local celebration!

Activities & Events

Picture
Click the above image for the Historic Preservation Month Calendar of Events
Children’s Architecture Crafts (May 1 – 31)
For the young, and young at heart, Preservation staff has developed three crafting activities that can be done from home.  Be sure to share your creations by sending photographs to preservation@columbiasc.gov or by posting a photograph to Facebook or Instagram and tagging @ColaCompass. Please direct any questions to preservation@columbiasc.gov.
Instagram Photo Contest (May 1 – 31)
Keep an eye on the @ColaCompass Instagram page for weekly photo contests posted each Sunday during the month of May. Topics for the photo contests will cover both National Historic Preservation Month and National Bike Month. Contests will run Sunday to Saturday and prize winners will be selected weekly; rules will be posted on Instagram. 

National Bike Challenge (May 1 - 31)
The National Bike Challenge is hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, and is a fun and easy way to up your Bike Month participation.  By logging your miles in May, and through encouraging others to do the same, you can earn points and are entered to win prizes.

National Ride a Bike Day: Sunday, May 2
Take part in the inaugural National Ride a Bike Day, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists.  Celebrating National Ride A Bike Day is simple: go for a ride - any ride. If you'd like to share your images on social media, use #BikeDay, and tag us @colacompass, too!

Jane’s Talk Virtual Round Table: Wednesday, May 5, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join City of Columbia preservation and planning staff as we (virtually) celebrate iconic writer and activist, Jane Jacobs with a roundtable discussion. Covering topics from restoration to the Bailey Bill, the roundtable will feature historic district residents discussing preservation in a conversation via Zoom. This event is free, but please pre-register by emailing preservation@columbiasc.gov by May 4th.

Beethoven on Bikes: Saturday, May 15
Hosted by the SC Philharmonic at Sesquicentennial State Park
Register as an individual or a team for a socially distanced and and family-friendly 10-mile mountain bike ride through Sesquicentennial State Park.  For more information, and to purchase tickets to the event (which include park admission), visit their website. 

Historic Preservation Trivia: Thursday, May 20, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join City of Columbia preservation and planned staff for a fun (virtual) trivia night! Hosted via Zoom, staff will quiz you on your knowledge of both local and national preservation history. Teams are encouraged and the three teams with the most points at the end of the night will win small prizes. This event is free, but please pre-register teams by emailing preservation@columbiasc.gov by May 19th.

Virtual Historic Preservation Bike Rides (release dates - Saturday May 8th and Saturday May 22nd)
Did you miss out on the historic preservation bike rides of years past? Preservation and planning staff pre-recorded past bike rides so you can follow along on your own or in small, socially distanced groups. Video recordings of the bike rides will go live on the @ColaCompass Facebook and Instagram at 10AM on May 8th and 10AM on May 22nd, but will continue to be available on both platforms after Preservation Month.  Rides will subsequently be made available on the Walk Bike Columbia page as well.

Resources
SMART CYCLING PROGRAM
The League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling Program has informative tips, videos, and information about classes, clubs, and advocacy organizations.

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These smart cycling videos and tips were developed for a nationwide audience, so a few notes regarding local and state regulations:
  • riding a bike on the sidewalk is permitted everywhere except on the sidewalks in the area bounded by Assembly, Elmwood, Sumter, and Gervais.
  • if there is a bike lane on the street, per SC Code of Laws, bicyclists must ride within the bike lane (or ride on the sidewalk).  ​​
​You can find more information on South Carolina's bike laws here.
PRESERVATION MONTH READING & RESOURCE LIST
Our reading and resource list provides recommendations in the following categories:
  • Non-Fiction & Reference
  • Biographies
  • Local  History
  • Quick Reads - Articles, Essays, & Useful Websites
  • Fiction
  • Poetry
  • For the Younger Reader
  • Documentaries & Films
  • Additional Resources

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​Columbia Compass is the update to the City of Columbia, South Carolina’s Comprehensive Plan.  To learn more about the City’s other planning efforts, please visit the City's website.
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