May 12, 2015 | Comments Off on Washington Bike to Work Day is May 15th!

Washington Bike to Work Day is May 15th!

“I ride because it takes the public out of public transportation.”

“I ride because it’s cheaper than owning a car.”

“I ride because it helps me get my daily exercise in without having to deal with the gym.”

“I ride because I do my best thinking on a bike.”

“I ride because I want to do my part for the environment.”

And, “I just like to be outside.”

These are just a few of the responses given to me when I asked some friends “why do you bike to work?” The last one is mine. But I don’t bike to work—yet. And I’ll get to that in a minute.

First, how many times per year do you bike to work? In the nation’s capital on May 15th, more than 10,000 professionals will be able to respond “at least once” after hitting the pavement on Bike to Work Day. Last year, more than 13K people in DC, northern Virginia and Maryland participated.

DC bike commuter rides toward the U.S. Capitol Building on Pennsylvania Avenue (Credit: Stefanie Payne)

Now of course, improving our overall health for even one day is reason enough to ride. But if that alone doesn’t get you on the road, consider the reasoning of some of my fine friends who bike to work on a regular basis:

“I ride because it takes the public out of public transportation.”

Riding public transportation is a practical way to get around in a city, as is riding a bike. The gift of cycling where public transportation typically fails is that it allows time to acclimate to the day without having to interact with mobs of people before your coffee’s kicked in.

“I ride because it’s cheaper than owning a car.”

Not only is using a bicycle much less expensive than owning and operating a car, but DC area riders are often provided a small federal tax break if their company or organization participates. If they don’t yet participate, you might encourage them to. You’d be amazed at how many employers are not only willing, but wanting to provide healthy opportunities for employees that they actually want to adopt.

“I ride because it helps me get my daily exercise in without having to deal with the gym.”

Cycling is one of the best cardiovascular exercises, it’s a great way to alleviate stress, and best of all, it’s really fun. Two of those three reasons are generally why we hit the gym, biking to work affords a beneficial surplus.

“I ride because I do my best thinking on a bike.”

Hopping on a bike to get to and from work is for many an immediate parlay into a thoughtful mental zone. Such is the case for this particular friend who thoughtfully uses this “time-in-between” home and work and home to prepare for meetings and shake off long days.

“I ride because I want to do my part for the environment.”

What a great reason! To contribute to decreasing the amount of pollutants in the air and traffic in the streets in any way is awesome. According to Clean Air Partners, each year, cars and trucks account for 30-40% of the ozone-diminishing pollutants, and I think we can all agree that reducing that percentage is a good thing to do.

Bike to Work Day in the greater Washington area is on May 15th, 2015 Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA)

In conducting this casual survey, I was surprised by how many of my friends already ride to work on a regular basis. Given that, I was also surprised by how many of them who do aren’t already signed up for Bike to Work Day on May 15. After some light encouragement (I texted the link to all of them right then and there), all five of them are now signed up and I am too. But for me, it’s a little more of a stretch.

I live to ride but not in a suit, which I wear to work on a daily basis. In my cycling heart, I ride not for transportation but just for sport. I don’t much like leaving my beloved bicycle chained up and unattended for many hours. I feel that these are all reasonable thoughts. However, everyday when walking home from the metro station I watch city commuters’ whiz by, and for more reasons than I can find as deterrence, are reasons that I want to join them. The biggest reason of all, is that “I just like to be outside” and if I forgo a metro ride, that’s six miles more exposure to wide open air each day, 30 miles a week… you get my drift.

I’ve already planned out my route: depart my neighborhood in NW DC and head down the bike path inside Rock Creek Park to the Haines Point loop. I’ll stick to the trails on the south side of the National Mall where I’ll sneak up behind NASA headquarters and ride right into the bike cage that I didn’t know existed but learned of while researching this activity. Another great find is that the organization that runs the event (Washington Area Bicyclist Association, or WABA) has regional advocacy efforts supporting many of my favorite places in DC.

On Bike Day along routes throughout the region, there will be nearly 80 pit stops where registered riders can pick up a free t-shirt commemorating the day. Pit stops will have food, drinks, and prizes and some are even offering entertainment, and event speakers. There are more and more great reasons to ride at every turn, and of course, improving our overall health for even one day is reason enough. A free tee is just frosting.

Capital Bikeshare station in the Brooklyn neighborhood at 10th and Monroe Street, NE, Washington DC

Quick facts:

Register and get more information on the official Bike to Work Day website
Bike to Work Day is 100% free
You can visit any of the pit stops; you can only pick up your free t-shirt at yourpre-designated stop (available for the first 14,000 registrants who arrive)
Some pit stops will not be open all morning into the night – check times in advance
Helmets are not requiredthough are always recommended!
Bike to Work Day is rain or shine event. Pit stops will remain open regardless of the weather
Have your bike servicedin advance. There will be no technicians assigned to this event
Don’t have a bike? Try out Capitol Bikeshare—one-way bike use among stops throughout the city. Use their interactive map to find a station.