Another Bike to Work Day under the belt. I didn't make it down to the one at the baseball stadium but did make it out to Freedom Plaza. It was more crowded than the past few years and, despite the recession, it was the best year yet for schwag. DC Lottery was handing out lottery tickets (and a bike) and the Swiss Embassy gave out those snap reflective anklets and chocolate, but SmartWool wins the Schwag Master Prize with tail lights, ankle straps, goo and two for one sock coupons. Of course there were the traditional T-shirts and water bottles (this year's color - baby blue).
WABA was prepared for the crowds as there were still bagels and coffee, even at the end.
There were plenty of high profile speakers this year too.
Admiral Thad Allen of the Coast Guard, fresh off his appearance on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, spoke first. He bikes to work most days, he pointed out, this winter even making it in on a 11 degF day. Not too shabby (perhaps this bodes well for the St. Elizabeths move).
Eleanore Holmes Norton spoke briefly, mentioning the upcoming transportation bill (she serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure) and what that could mean for DC.
DDOE Director George Hawkins - on his first ever bike to work (congratulations) - said that this town is filled with fanatics, but we were the "happiest and healthiest" fanatics he'd ever seen.
But the guest who got the most attention was Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. Rolling up on a very nice bike (yes he biked from home, over his security detail's objections) his speach was quick but well received. I'm not sure if it was his cabinet level office or his Nobel Prize, but he definitely created a stir.
Gabe Klein (bike commuted as well) talked about all recent and coming improvements in area cycling.
Jack Evans, Mary Cheh and Phil Mendelson also spoke (Jim Graham's bus was stuck in traffic - that's why we bike). Jack Evans talked about how when he was with Metro he pushed to get bikes on trains and buses - and said that Metro needs to do more to allow bikes on.
After the Bike to Work Day celebration, there was an unveiling of five new artistic bike racks donated to DC by Switzerland. They're your standard inverted-U with designs painted on (Swiss Cheese, Cow print, Swiss Flag, the Alps, and edelweiss). Mayor Fenty,Jim Graham and a giant bicycle-powered rhinocerous showed up for that.
Looks like a blast...It's too bad I have to be in the office by 7:30!
Any idea as to where those swiss bike racks will be going?
Posted by: anonymous | May 15, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Some will be at the Wilson Building, but I'm not sure where the others will go.
Posted by: Washcycle | May 15, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Shoot - looks like I missed a lot of the cool stuff at Freedom Plaza. I know I'm knocking a gift-horse in the mouth, but I really can't drink coffee without milk, which they were totally out of at 7:45 am.
You could tell it was bike-to-work day when I rode over to 19th st for a takeout lunch and couldn't find a free space to lock my bike anywhere.
Posted by: Ren | May 15, 2009 at 02:15 PM
yes... the SWAG was good!
my boys love the reflective ankle bands from the Swiss Embassy... and SMARTWOOL/Hudson Trail Outfitters did have the best assortment of swag!
Posted by: gwadzilla | May 15, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Got stuck behind Rhinoman on the Mt Vernon trail by the airport!
Posted by: Biker Bill | May 15, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Swiss Bike Racks (there are 10) will be in five locations: the Wilson Building, the National Building Museum, Connecticut Avenue in front of Kremer Books, on 7th Street in Gallery Place Chinatown, and at the Eastern Market Metro.
Posted by: Suzanne | May 15, 2009 at 05:27 PM
I was at Freedom Plaza until they announced the raffles were over, then I headed off for work. I missed the bike rhino!
I arrived around 7:40 and accumulated a pretty respectable pile of freebies and 2 cups of coffee with half and half. DC Lottery gave me six scratchers worth a total of $7. I hope I have the same good fortune with the Powerball ticket I purchased with the coupon they gave me.
Posted by: Lars | May 16, 2009 at 04:26 PM