This Friday is National Bike to Work Day. There are celebrations all over the DC area and Baltimore too. It's officially too late to sign up for a free T-Shirt (Note: I've never seen them turn anyone away for not being registered - but don't hold me to that if you go and leave empty handed), but you can still sign up to win free bikes and other stuff. And everyone gets a free breakfast (at least they have in the past). We can only hope that the weather is better than it was last year.
Whenever gas prices rise, it seems editors tell some reporter to write the standard, "People are abandoning their cars" article. And I've seen a lot of these lately, but this article deals specifically with BTWD and is a good read.
‘‘Some people ride all the way in [to the District], but most people would probably ride to the Metro,” DeNardo said. ‘‘That’s a more feasible option for people, since there are lockers to secure your bike and the train can get you where you have to go.”
A major bicycle thoroughfare between Bowie and Annapolis could be established once a bridge is constructed over the Patuxent River connecting the WB&A trail, which would likely encourage more cycling commuters, DeNardo said.
The Bike to Work Day event will also help solve that problem. During the event, WABA will host commuter convoys where cyclists follow experienced riders as they show them safe routes, Gilliland said.
Another obstacle is not lack of bike lanes or adequate facilities, but making that first push, event planners say. Cycling is a good form of cardiovascular exercise, and just commuting twice a week via bikes can save money on gas, DeNardo said.
Apparently, the DC isn't the only area with a Bike to Work day. Even my hometown of Detroit, Michigan is having one: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060515/FEATURES08/605150405/1025/FEATURES
Posted by: Chris | May 16, 2006 at 07:50 AM
When I first read Chris's comment I thought "big deal--BTW day is a national day". Then it dawned on me--BTW day in the MOTOR city. BTW day is definitely making some inroads when the capital of the automobile empire is celebrating it.
Posted by: Mike Plakus | May 16, 2006 at 12:47 PM
Thanks Mike, I didn't get that either.
Posted by: washcycle | May 16, 2006 at 01:28 PM
Yup - that was my point! A huge percentage of the workforce still has something to do with the auto industry there, and that's a terrific irony. Of course, the development of the bicycle industry did a lot to help usher in the auto industry, but nowadays, Detroit is by no means a bicycle-friendly place. It is impressive that the movement towards bike commuting has made headway in such a place.
Posted by: Chris | May 16, 2006 at 02:33 PM