Five Bike to Work Week Events Around the US

Photo by Paul Krueger

While over half of the American population lives within five miles (eight kilometers) of their workplace – making cycling a totally feasible option for their daily commute – many Americans still don’t ride a bike to work. In 2010, only 0.53 percent of US citizens identified as bicycle commuters.

However, this seems to be changing quickly. Bewteen 2000 and 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the US grew 63 percent, thanks in large part to the work of organizations like the League of American Bicyclists and events like Bike to Work Week. Because of their efforts and the efforts of passionate advocates around the country, more and more Americans are realizing that biking to work is a safe, fun and viable transportation option that keeps you happy and healthy.

Bike to Work Week will be taking place from May 11-15, 2015, culminating in Bike to Work day on May 15. There are plenty of events happening in communities all across the US to show first time riders and seasoned commuters alike how fun and freeing bike commuting can be. Check out one of these great Bike to Work week events and initiatives below, or talk to local advocates to find out what’s happening in your community. Happy riding!

• Los Angeles’ commuter rail system, Metrolink, is offering free rides to commuters with bicycles throughout the entirety of Bike to Work Week. The trains connects commuters in Orange County with the surrounding communities, including LA. The offer is a great way to encourage longer-distance commuters to ride their bikes when they arrive in the city!

• New York City’s Bike to Work Challenge: the Bike to Work Challenge is a month-long competition to find NYC’s happiest workplace – aka the workplace with the most bike commuters. Any workplace in the five boroughs is welcome to enter, and at the end of May, Bike NYC will dish out awesome prizes to whichever entrant had the highest percentage of bike commuters.

• Austin, TX, is celebrating Bike to Work Day with coffee, snacks, and swag at a number of  “fuelling stations” around the city. Bicycle commuters can pick up a Bicycle Passport, which earns stamps for every fuelling station they visit. The passport wins you a free beer at the inaugural Bike Home from Work Day Party at Cheer Up Charlies bar.

• The city of Portland, OR, is organizing a number of events and initiatives throughout the week, including a bike breakfast, early morning “cycling essentials” classes, and a Bike to Work Day party.

• Washington, DC, has a number of initiatives to encourage Capital District commuters to ride to work, including over 79 refreshment stands, bicycle commuter convoys, and an online forum to find a Bike to Work buddy riding out of your neighborhood.