May is Bike Month: Biking Downtown Albuquerque
Bike lanes down Central Ave. / Route 66
May is National Bike Month and it’s a beautiful time of year to commit to biking to as many places as possible! This month, Crossroads News has compiled all you need to know about bike related events and resources, with focus on the Downtown neighborhood. We biked the districts to share all the business locations with bike racks and worked to gather other helpful biking tips to encourage readers to bike all month long.
Downtown Businesses and Public Spaces with Bike Racks
The Downtown ABQ MainStreet District is scattered with bike racks, however certain areas are more concentrated than others. We biked the district to gather all of the business locations, public spaces, and a few streets that offer racks for bicyclists. Aside from bike racks, there can be other options to lock your bike: city street sign poles, fences, gates, and the like. Some businesses will also happily let you bring your bike inside while you’re visiting their business. Ask before you bike past!
Central Avenue from 1st to 8th Streets offers City of ABQ established bike racks with 2- 4 turquoise bike racks each block, near crosswalks. Apart from this longest stretch of consistent bike racks, there are a few occasional blocks in the district that offer regular bike racks. Otherwise it’s dependent on the individual business or public space. Below is the list of businesses and spaces that offer bike racks Downtown.
Images: The Brew coffee shop & The Groove art space, Ex Novo Brewing Company, parking lot near Hotel Andaluz, Main Public Library, Monozukuri 1914 art space, and Silver Street Market.
The List: Downtown ABQ Businesses & Public Spaces with Bike Racks
115 Gold Ave. Building (Three Sisters Kitchen)
Albuquerque Government Center
Bernalillo County Building @Alvarado Square
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
Black Satin Tattoo / Java Joe’s
CBM Wellness / Simms Building
Convention Center
Downtown Growers’ Market (RANA Bike Valet)
Es Que Market
Ex Novo Brewing Co.
Gravity Bound Brewing Co.
Happy Tattoo / Camilla’s New Mexican Food
Lasso Coffee & Lager
Main Public Library
Marble Brewery
Monozukuri 1914 / The Pacific Building
NM Dream Team / Afghan Kebab House / Espresso Fino
Offcenter Arts (near parking lot)
Oni
PNM Building
Robinson Park
Second Judicial District Court Bernalillo County
Silver Street Market
Slate Street Cafe
The Brew Coffee / The Groove Artspace
Villa Myriam Coffee
WESST / Enchanted Farms Mushrooms
Wolf & Raven Tattoo
Image: Raynolds Neighborhood Addition Bike Valet at the Downtown Growers’ Market every Saturday.
Bike friendly streets Downtown
Last year, bike lanes were added all along Central Ave. in our district. From 1st Street to 8th Street dedicated bike lanes now exist. Many streets Downtown offer bike lanes, however to plan out a bike friendly route check out this map.
Dates to save for May
National Ride a Bike Day: Sunday, May 3
Bike to Work Week: May 11 - 17
Bike to Work Day in ABQ: Thursday, May 14
Bike to Work Day Events around ABQ: Pick up free bike safety swag and updated bike and trail map
Downtown event: Civic Plaza
Thursday, May 14: 7am - 9am
Resources to remember for biking in Albuquerque
Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center
Next Downtown Bike Clinic Pop-Up: June 3: 10am - 2pm at the Main Public Library
Learn more HERE
Closest bike repair shops to Downtown (15 minute drive)
Safety Tips
Obey traffic signals and stop signs
Wear a helmet - always
Wear reflective gear for higher visibility
Bring a secure bike lock
Use lights if you’re biking at night
Don’t leave anything on your bike that can be easily removed
Be predictable- use turn signals and make eye contact
Get out and get biking today! Bring a friend, include the kids, and enjoy Downtown Albuquerque from the lens of a bicycle. Spot something new, explore new pathways and bike lanes, and stop by a local coffee shop, farmers’ market, or restaurant once you’re done.
Here’s to National Bike Month!