How Bike Shops Can Prep for National Bike to Work Day

May is National Bike Month, a whole 31-day excuse to live life in the bike lane. And right in the middle is National Bike to Work Day (May 16, 2025), a moment made for bike shops to do what we do best: show up, inspire, and keep the wheels spinning…literally and metaphorically.

Whether you’re a Tannus dealer or just a bike-loving local business, here’s 7 real, tangible ways to prep your shop, rally your community, and ride this month in style.

1. Become the Morning Hero: Host an Energizer Station

Picture this: it’s 6:45 a.m., birds are chirping, and cyclists are starting to stream by. You’ve got a table out front with chocolate milk or coffee, some breakfast bars, maybe a local donut shop involved. It’s simple, but it sets a tone, your shop is a hub, not just a store. In Denver, they saw over 250 stations like this in one city alone. That’s 250 reasons to stop, chat, and build brand loyalty that can last years.

Tannus Tip: Add value beyond sugar and caffeine, set up a quick bike check station. Pump up some tires, adjust a derailleur, and have your Tannus Armour on display as the flat-free, commuter-friendly solution they never knew they needed.

2. Throw a Commuter Tune-Up Week

Let’s be honest, most folks haven’t touched their bike since last fall. Squeaky chains and flat tires don’t exactly scream “ride to work.” That’s where you come in. Offer basic tune-ups or quick safety checks the week leading up to Bike to Work Day. Not only does it get bikes road-ready, it gets people mentally ready too.

Tannus Tip: Create a “Commuter Confidence Bundle” install a set of Tannus Armour, swap in some new lights or grips, and set them up for months of worry-free rides. Bonus: it gives your service team a chance to showcase expertise and upsell naturally.

3. Host a “Ride In Confidence” Workshop

For a lot of people, the idea of biking to work sounds great...right up until they remember traffic. Or not knowing the best route. Or flat bike tires (again). This is your chance to demystify the commute. Run a short evening class or weekend clinic. Map out common routes, talk bike safety basics, show off must-have commuter gear.

Tannus Tip: Let your staff or trusted local riders lead the session. Real riders, real talk. And of course, weave in the story of flat protection with Tannus products, especially for new cyclists nervous about getting stranded halfway to the office.

4. Incentivize the Commute

Sometimes people just need a little nudge...and maybe a free patch kit. During Bike Month, shops in San Diego neighborhoods gave small discounts to anyone who rode in. It’s low-cost for you, but high-impact for a customer deciding whether or not to make that morning ride.

Tannus Tip: Go a step further. Create a loyalty card, 5 rides in May = shop credit or swag. Or build a photo wall of customers who biked in each day. Recognition goes a long way toward building community.

5. Collaborate & Ride Local

You’re not alone in this, your city is full of folks who also want to promote wellness, sustainability, and community connection. Tap into that. Partner with a nearby café for post-ride coffee, a yoga studio for a recovery session, or your local bike advocacy group for a group ride or raffle event.

Tannus Tip: Let us help you with co-branded displays and marketing support. Having that “backed by Tannus” presence makes your event feel official and we’re always game to support shops who support their communities.

6. Use the Week to Sell the Lifestyle

Bike to Work Day isn’t just about selling more bikes. It’s about helping people see themselves as cyclists. It’s about reminding them they don’t need to be in spandex to be part of this tribe. You have a front row seat to their transformation, to show them the lifestyle in a way that feels accessible and inspiring.

Tannus Tip: Put together a “Commuter Starter Pack” on display. Think: pannier, lights, Tannus Armour, rain jacket, water bottle. Bundle it. Label it. Make it feel like a curated intro kit to a new, better way of commuting.

Final Thoughts from the Saddle

At Tannus, our mission isn’t just to prevent flats, it’s to empower riders. And National Bike to Work Day is a moment where your shop becomes more than retail, it becomes a movement. A movement toward healthier people, stronger communities, and cities that ride just a little bit smoother.

Let’s make this May one to remember. Let’s meet riders where they are, at the trailhead, the sidewalk, the street corner. And let’s ride with them toward a future where biking to work is just...work. No big deal. Just part of the culture.

And if you want some more in-depth, detailed ideas, check out this Guide to National Bike Month made by the League of American Bicyclists.

Need promo materials, flat-proof demos, or support for your shop’s Bike to Work Week ideas? Hit up the Tannus Dealer Support Team, we’re here to help you roll strong.