Chances are you already know that May is the National Bike to Work Month, and that Friday, May 15 is the official Bike to Work Day.
Seattle’s Bicycle Master Plan hopes to triple the use of bicycling for all purposes by 2017. The idea is that if you ride to work on May 15, you’ll be showing your support for this lofty goal.
More than half of the U.S. population lives within five miles of their workplace, reports the League of American Bicyclists. They say that “lack of knowledge and incentive has deterred many from commuting by bike.” In the Northwest, we can add weather as a deterrent but still, there were over 24,000 riders (unofficially) at last year’s Bike to Work Day in Seattle according to the Cascade Bicycle Club.
If you’re intrigued by the idea but don’t know how to start, Cascade offers a class on commuting by bicycle that covers the basics about gear and safety. They even have a class about learning to navigate your bicycle in traffic.
Bike to Work Day is likely the best day to give bicycle commuting a try because of the sheer number of people who will be out there on bikes who can support, direct, and just cheer you on.
Bike to Work Activities
KING COUNTY
May 15: Cascade Bicycle Club will have 40 commute stations again this year situated throughout King County where you can grab freebies, snacks and maps. Some will have bike shop-sponsored stations where you can have your bike checked over for free.
SEATTLE
May 15: Starbucks is sponsoring this year’s Bike to Work Day. If you have time, they’re holding a Bike to Work Day Rally at Seattle City Hall from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Month of May: Group Health is holding its Commute Challenge again this year, which they say is one of the largest commuter events on the west coast. They want bicyclists to challenge themselves, their friends, and workmates to be a part of the “bicycling solution” by riding your bike five times or more, round-trip, during the month of May.
REDMOND
May 15: The City of Redmond Transportation Management Association (TMA) will have two stations offering support, freebies, and snacks during Bike to Work Day this year.
These stations include: Sammamish River Trial between 124th Street and NE 116th Street (near 60 Acres Park concession stand); and in Overlake on the 520 bike trail near NE 51st Street.
June – July: The City of Redmond holds an annual Summer Tour de Redmond Bicycle Commuter Challenge from June 1 to July 31. Register as a team or an individual. More information is on its Web site: www.grtma.org/yourTourDeRedmond2.asp. The Greater Redmond TMA also invites people who work in Redmond to join its Bicycle Commuter Advisory Team. Go to www.grtma.org/yourBicycleCommuterAdvisoryTeam.asp.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY
Bike to Work organizers in Snohomish County are encouraging residents to think creatively for their commutes. Combine biking and buses, biking to your carpool or vanpool instead of driving. Drive part way to work and cycle the rest.
Last year more than 900 Snohomish County residents biked to local Celebration Stations on Bike to Work Day. This year, those stops have safety blinkers, snacks, free bike safety checks and local bike maps. There’s a new station near the Edmonds Ferry, at Brackett’s Landing Park, along with stations at the Lynnwood Transit Center, University of Washington Bothell, Everett Station, Boeing Everett, Marysville’s Comeford Park and McCollum Park in Mill Creek.
May 11 – June 12: Bike Commute Challenge presented by Group Health. Teams of four to 10 members compete for prizes and bragging rights. Continue leaving your car at home at least once a week and get in the healthy commuting habit.
May 15: Bike to Work Day, 6 to 9 a.m., Celebration Stations throughout the region. Join elected officials and fellow riders at 7:30 a.m. for Celebration Rides. Visit its Web site to find a location near you: www.communitytransit.org/biketowork.
PIERCE COUNTY
Do your part in Pierce County by participating in the Pierce Transit CareLESS Commute Program. Take a bike, train, or bus to work, instead of your car. More information is on the web: www.piercecountywa.org/carless.
THURSTON COUNTY
April 1: Thurston County’s 22nd Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest is now on. After registering, ride in May, and win some great prizes. Adult registration is $5, 18 and younger are free. Get your contest T-shirts at the Olympia Transit Center for $15 each.
All registered riders can get a free bicycle safety check. Anyone who lives or works in Thurston County can join and prizes are offered for riders of all ages and ability levels.
PORTLAND
Portland always has lots going on for two-wheeled commuting. Throughout the month of May, Portlanders can participate in several fun and educational events regarding bicycling.
May 13: Portland by Cycle Workshop: Bike Commuting Basics at Friendly House, 1715 NW 26th (at Thurman) at 6:30 p.m.
May 15, 22: Free Family Biking Clinic. The Family Biking Commute Workshops, sponsored by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, discusses the common challenges that families face when considering bike commuting. May 15: 5:30 – 7 p.m., Bicycle Transportation Alliance office, 233 NW 5th Ave., www. bta4bikes.org, (503) 226-0676. No RSVP necessary. May 22: Outer Southeast 5:30 – 7 p.m., Bike Gallery on Division, 10950 SE Division St. RSVP to lillian@bta4bikes.org.
Friday, May 16: Share unleaded drinks with your fellow bike commuters. Sponsored by Shift. Hawthorne Bridge, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
May 18: 1 p.m., Bike Swap Meet at the Recyclery, www.therecyclery.com/
May 20: Celebrate Bike to Work Month with free drinks, food, fun and special offers for bikers and the bike curious. Downtown Bike Gallery, SW 10th and Salmon, 6 – 8 p.m.
May 22: Beginners’ Bike Ride. Fun, flat, no sweat lunchtime ride for the bike curious. Rental bikes available, call Scott at (503) 823-5345. Meet at Waterfront Bikes, 10 SW Ash St. Ride goes from noon to1 p.m.
SPOKANE
May 10 – 15: Building on the success of last year’s Bike to Work Week that featured 952 registered participants, organizers are excited for this year’s event.
“Last year exceeded our expectations, and we look for 2009 to be even better,” said volunteer committee chair Barb Chamberlain.
New events for Bike to Work Week include an Education Fair May 10, the Commuter Challenge presented by Group Health, bike commuting work-shops, and commuter energizer stations located around the city. There are also four free local bicycle workshops planned the whole week.
Spokane also has a Bike Buddy program which matches new bike commuter with a trained volunteer familiar with their route to their workplace.
Resources:
Bicycle Alliance of Washington: www.bicyclealliance.org
League of American Bicyclists: http://www.bikeleague.org/
Bike to Work Week.Org: http://biketoworkweek.org/
Seattle and King County, Cascade Bicycle Club: www.cbcef.org
Tacoma and Pierce County: www.piercecountywa.org
Thurston County: www.intercitytransit.com
Snohomish County: www.communitytransit.org/biketowork
Spokane: www.biketoworkspokane.org
Bicycle Transportation Alliance (Oregon): www.bta4bikes.org
Portland: www.gettingaroundportland.org
Amy Poffenbarger tries to commute by bicycle from Ballard to downtown a few times a week and freelance writes whenever possible.
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