Waterloo mayor proclaims May National Bike Month; Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective outlines repair, helmet and community-ride programs

Mayor Dave Bosen proclaimed May 2026 National Bike Month for the city of Waterloo and invited members of the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective to describe the nonprofit’s programs and upcoming rides.

The proclamation, read and signed by Bosen, cites Waterloo’s designation as a bike-friendly and Complete Streets community and the city’s bicycle master plan. It lists several May observances: May 3, 2026, as National Ride a Bike Day; May 6 as National Walk, Bike, or Roll to School Day; May 11–17 as National Bike to Work Week; May 15 as National Bike to Work Day; and May 20 as Ride in Silence, a cyclist memorial ride. Bosen affixed the city seal to the proclamation in April 2026.

Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective board members Katherine Gilbury, Curtis Young and Roger White described the Collective’s operations and outreach. Gilbury said the Collective is a nonprofit that has operated near the Sullivan Brothers Convention Center since about 2013 and focuses on keeping usable bicycles in the community rather than sending them to landfill. “If you’re in the market for a good quality used bike that’s reasonably priced, stop in,” she said.

The Collective detailed its core activities: accepting used or unwanted bicycles, repairing and selling or donating bikes that can be made serviceable, stripping reusable parts from irreparable bikes for salvage, and working with local charities to place bicycles with people in need. The group also runs education and bike-val programs and conducts safety checks at public events.

On safety work, Curtis Young said the Collective conducts bicycle-safety checks at farmers markets and gives away free helmets for children, along with stickers and other safety materials to encourage safe riding. The board members said they also distribute bicycles to underserved residents, including people experiencing homelessness.

The Collective gave its street address as 219 West 4th (across from the Sullivan Brothers Convention Center). Shop hours were reported as Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. The group said it posts events and group-ride information on social media and coordinates rides across the Cedar Valley; members promoted the Bridges Ride on June 6, which includes start locations in Cedar Falls and Evansdale and a post-ride event in Gilbertville.

Mayor Bosen and meeting attendees thanked the Collective for its community work. No formal votes or actions were taken on the proclamation beyond the mayor’s reading and signing; the presentation served as recognition and outreach.