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Bike-to-Work Day

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EPA staffers at Bike-to-Work Day in 2016

Bike to Work Day is an annual event that promotes the bicycle as an option for commuting to work (bicycle commuting). It is held in the Spring in a variety of locations including the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

Bike Week is the week that includes the Bike-to-Work Day, in May, and the World Bicycle Day, on June 3.

Origins

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Bike to Work Day was originated by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956[1] and is a part of Bike-to-Work Week, which is in turn part of National Bike Month.

Activities

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Providence, Rhode Island mayor Jorge Elorza addresses a Bike to Work day gathering in May 2015.

Leading up to Bike to Work Day, national, regional, and local bicycle advocacy groups encourage people to try bicycle commuting as a healthy and safe alternative to driving by providing route information and tips for new bicycle commuters. Further, the American Medical Association has endorsed Bike to Work Day as part of its push to encourage active transportation.[2][3] The event is supported by many organizations, from local bike shops and restaurants to municipalities and transit authorities. The southern California commuter rail network Metrolink offers free rides to cyclists on Bike to Work day.[4]

On Bike to Work Day, a wide variety of bicycle-related events are organized. The day is a major event in the San Francisco Bay Area, where thousands of residents participate annually, supported by corporate sponsors. Organized "Commuter Convoys," and "Energizer Stations" set up in various locations around the Bay Area providing free food and coffee to bike commuters by organizations such as the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, East Bay Bicycle Coalition, and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.[5][6] Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Mayor of San Francisco regularly participate, commuting by bicycle to City Hall.[7]

Bike to Work Day also enjoys broad participation throughout the country. Eleven businesses in Boulder, Colorado gave free breakfast to 1,200 participants in 2012[8] and 1,600 participants in 2013.[9] Bethesda, Maryland used the event to unveil new bike racks (increasing from 200 to 300) and had speeches on transportation.[10] In Kitchener, Ontario, a local bike club, Ziggy's, donated twelve commuter bikes to people who participated and blogged about the event in 2012.[11] Chicago, Illinois gave free tune-ups and balaclavas to participants.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Wire - Seacoast rides". The League of American Bicyclists organized the first Bike to Work Day in 1956.
  2. ^ "AMA H-470.991 Promotion of Exercise". AMA Policy Finder. American Medical Association. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  3. ^ "AMA 2011 Annual Meeting Resolutions" (PDF). American Medical Association. American Medical Association. p. 464. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Metrolink to offer free train ride to bicyclists on Bike to Work Day". Metrolink News. Metrolink. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  5. ^ Schaub, Jeffrey (9 May 2013). "Thousands Of Bay Area Residents Participate In Bike To Work Day". CBS San Francisco Bay Area. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Bike to Work Day 2013". Official San Francisco Bike to Work Day page. San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  7. ^ "Cyclists throughout the Bay Area gear up for annual Bike to Work Day". KTVU. 8 May 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  8. ^ "Registration for next week's Bike to Work Day in Boulder now open". Colorado Daily. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  9. ^ Byars, Mitchell. "Boulder sees record numbers for Winter Bike to Work Day". Colorado Daily. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Bike To Work Day". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  11. ^ Pender, Terry. "Kitchener's roads and trails will get more bike-friendly this year". The Record. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  12. ^ Schiffman, Lizzie. "Free Tune-Ups and Balaclavas at Annual Winter Bike to Work Day". DNA Info Chicago. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
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