Bike to Work Day 2015

Bike to Work Day 2015––Join more than 14,000 area commuters for a celebration of bicycling as a fun, healthy, and environmentally-friendly way to get to work. A record-breaking number of cyclists are expected to participate again this year so register soon at www.biketoworkmetrodc.org

WHEN:

Friday, May 15, starting at various early-morning times depending on location.  

Locate specific start/end times for all pit stops at www.biketoworkmetrodc.org

WHERE:

Register for free and visit one of 79 regional pit stops throughout Washington, D.C., and surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia; receive refreshments, and be entered in raffles for new bicycles. Cyclists must register for one pit stop but are welcome to visit any of the 79 pit stops along their way to work. Free event T-shirts will be available at pit stops for the first 14,000 registrants who attend.

Bicycle commuter convoys - led by experienced bicycle commuters - will travel throughout the region. All levels of cyclists are welcome to join the convoys.

WHY:

Bicycling to work is a healthy and cost-effective alternative to drive-alone commuting.  Join Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association on Friday, May 15, for Bike to Work Day 2015. Ride with thousands of cyclists, new and experienced, and enjoy a healthy commute that helps improve traffic congestion and air quality in the metropolitan Washington region. There will be free T-shirts, food, beverages, and prizes for registrants who attend.

MORE INFORMATION:

For registration information and event details, visit www.biketoworkmetrodc.org

Washington, D.C. – Registration for the metropolitan Washington region’s Bike to Work Day 2015 has opened, and if this past year’s success is any indication of what is to come, participation in the annual event to be held Friday, May 15, 2015, is expected to increase once again. Co-organized by Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), the annual event draws residents from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia in support of cycling as a healthy, green commuting option that reduces car emissions, and has a positive impact on the environment.

Registration for the 2015 event is free and easy to complete online atwww.biketoworkmetrodc.org. The first 14,000 registrants who attend an official pit stop will receive a free event t-shirt. All registrants will be entered into a raffle to win one of many donated bicycles. Bike to Work Day launched in the Washington area in 2001 with just a few hundred registrants and has grown every year since, to nearly 17,000.

“It’s exciting to see how Bike to Work Day has grown and been supported by the residents, businesses, and organizations in the region. We’re hopeful that the event will continue to grow in popularity and expose new riders to the benefits of cycling,” said Nicholas Ramfos, Director of Commuter Connections. “Ten percent of Bike to Work Day participants reported that they started cycling to work after participating in their first event, and more than 20 percent say cycling is now a regular part of their commutes.”

A total of 79 pit stops will be set up across the region to share support amongst event participants. Refreshments and giveaways will also be available at the pit stops while supplies last.  

Regional sponsors play an important role in supporting Bike to Work Day, and this year’s major sponsors include:  Marriott International, ICF International, BicycleSPACE, Bike Arlington, the City of Alexandria, The JBG Companies, KIND Healthy Snacks, Earth Justice, 495|95 Express Lanes, and REI.

Commuter Connections and WABA encourage both new and experienced bicyclists to prepare for the event by utilizing the resources found on the following websites:

• Learn more about bike commuting: For tips on bicycling to work, check out A Commuters Guide to Bicycling available through Commuter Connections atwww.commuterconnections.org/commuters/bicycling/

• Ride with others in a commuter convoy: Commuter convoys on Bike to Work Day will be led by experienced bicycle commuters, and many routes are available. Find a convoy near you at http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/first-time-rider-info/4606-2/ 
  

• Brush up on cycling skills: Participate in a City Cycling Class to learn how to safely share the road with cars, other bikes, and pedestrians:http://www.waba.org/adult-education/

Free registration for Bike to Work Day is available at www.biketoworkmetrodc.org or by calling 800-745-RIDE.

Comments

[ACyclistInThePortCity]

It won't be hard for 2015 to exceed 2014, when there was torrential rainfall on BTWD. I guess 2013 is the current record holder?

[Amelia]

No convoys in Alexandria?!

[T]

I think they're still adding convoys. I'll probably volunteer to co-lead one from OT or Kingstowne if they want. I plan on either taking the day off or doing a half day at work anyway.

Last year was funny. I wish I had the time then to stick around as I would have certainly won some prizes at the Old Town stop and likely at others. There were like 6 of us there at 7:30am. And my ride from 14th St bridge clear up past the National Cathedral, I didn't see another soul. (I was soaked to the bone too--joy, joy).

[DE]

A waterproof softshell does wonders--when it's still chilly out. If it's warm, you get soaked anyway, but with sweat.

I must have been lucky last year and hit a lull in the storm. 6:30-ish in Rosslyn and it was raining, but nothing to write the newspapers about. It was the first time I had ever stopped by the booths, probably because there weren't that many people about and I felt for the folks working them. But I pledge to stop by again this year, hordes or no.

[Smedley Burkhart]

If memory serves, I wore my waterproof hardshell, by Honda. Arrived with all my creases nice and sharp.

[Crickey7]

I may have to break my streak of cantankerously avoiding BTWD.

[DE]

Remain true to yourself, crickey. Even though I've biked every day for years, I only signed up for the first time last year due to co-worker pressure. It's too late for me, but you can avoid my mistake and stay the iconoclast.

[dynaryder]

Crickey,I'm retired,but who can say no to a T-shirt and other free crap? Plus bagels and bananas.

[Smedley Burkhart]

I'm off the pastries, but who can say no to free coffee, green bananas, and the occasional "bidon"? Plus, there's always the excitement of finding out the color of this year's t-shirt! I can hardly wait!

[jeffb]

Tradition for me is to ride in wearing last years T-Shirt and ride home wearing the new one.

[Crickey7]

It's the principle of being contrary for no particularly good reason.

[washcycle]

There's an advocacy angle to this in that WABA (and the media) reports the number of people who sign up all year long. They use it to show how many people are bike commuting and how it is growing. Numbers matter to politicians. And showing up helps too, since politicians show up and look at the crowd. Again, numbers matter to politicians (a.k.a. Decision makers). It's about the easiest advocacy one can do. No one should lie, but if you plan to bike commute that day, go ahead and sign up. You might win a bike too.

[Crickey7]

Can't I just bore my coworkers with tales of bike commuting instead?

Okay, fine. I'll do it.

[Smedley Burkhart]

Atta boy! Let go of all that individuality and join the movement. We're all happy here.

[Crickey7]

Will there be pie?

[Mike]

I attended last year's boat to work day, but most of the stations were closed. :(