While Bike to Work Week (May 11th-15th) and Bike to Work Day (May 15th) took place last week, this is an important event to recognize. Beginning in 1956, it was originally organized by the League of American Bicyclists. Traditionally taking place on the third Friday of May, Bike to Work Day (BTWD) has since expanded to Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Month. Many cities and companies (such as Starbucks in Seattle) sponsor these events in their municipalities. San Francisco, known for its hills, hosted their “BTWD” last Thursday. Denver (which will host their BTWD June 24th), Seattle, and Washington DC (which estimated more than 8,000 riders in the metropolitan area) are among other cities that have sponsored Bike to Work Days.

Seattle’s bike to work day hoped to surpass “last year’s 24,000 rider mark.”  In addition, “the city of Seattle’s new Bicycle Master Plan specifies a goal of tripling the use of bicycling in Seattle for all trip purposes by 2017.” In Denver, “[d]ata from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) for this year’s event shows that 25,173 bicycle commuters registered. Cyclists actually numbered closer to 35,000, when combining registered participants with additional surveyed bicyclists . . . a 43 percent increase over last year’s total.” All of these cities (including Washington D.C.) boast impressive numbers of participants. These types of events promote sustainable behaviors by reducing consumption of nonrenewable fuels and improving both individual and community health.

- Eric Wilson

[image source: flickr.com]