City of Monroe launches first Bike Month with survey, safety events and audio tour

Lisa Hollowell, assistant city manager for the City of Monroe, hosted a podcast episode to introduce the city's first coordinated Bike Month and to spotlight planning staff leading the effort.

Megan Bridal Harp, a city planner, said the city is starting small to learn community needs: "This is our first year, highlighting bike month," she said, adding the city will use feedback from a May survey to decide whether to pursue bike rental kiosks or other services.

Bryson Hester, Monroe's transportation planner, described Bike Month as a national, May-long campaign to promote biking and walking. "Bike month is a nationally recognized month in the United States," he said, and he emphasized outreach and education to grow safe, nonmotorized travel in the community.

Staff outlined how residents can take the survey: it is posted on the City of Monroe website under Planning > Transportation Planning and is labeled "bike pump." The city plans social media promotion and podcast links to drive responses. Planners said the survey will collect demographic information and preferences on events, maintenance clinics and facilities, and that results will guide future investments.

The program will include workshops at community centers and schools, an audio tour of downtown and historic neighborhoods published as a Spotify playlist starting May 1, and a downtown scavenger hunt with raffle prizes. Hester said incentives include a bicycle that will be given away to one survey participant: "We'll have a bicycle, that we'll be giving away," he said.

On safety and rules, Hester told listeners that bicyclists must follow the same traffic controls as motor vehicles when riding and explained where sidewalks or shared-use paths are appropriate. "Bicycles are vehicles too," he said, and riders should obey stop signs, signals and yield markings. He also stated that helmets are required by law and described city plans for safety pop-up events teaching children how to wear helmets correctly.

Planners offered practical tips through a brief bike inspection demonstration: check air pressure (Hester cited 35 to 65 PSI as the appropriate range for his bike), test brakes, inspect the chain and do a quick walk-around for obvious damage before riding. They also described proper helmet fit: low and level on the brow, chin straps forming a V around the ears and snug enough to allow talking but not loose.

There was no discussion of new ordinances or budget approvals in the episode; staff framed the effort as outreach and programming that will be adjusted based on community feedback. The survey and events are the immediate next steps; residents interested in participating are encouraged to visit the city website or follow the City of Monroe on social media for links and event schedules.