How did Bike to Work Day go for you?

[Kimmyt]

I didn't do the organized BTW day, but I did do a bit of organizing myself. Unfortunately, the weather didn't really cooperate. I had cajoled a group of 7 people including a completely new (or wannabe new) commuter to ride in, we were to meet at acentral location and all ride in together to work. Rain would call the ride, but when I woke up the roads were a bit wet (not too bad) and it didn't appear to be raining.

When I walked out of my house to my car there was a very fine mist coming down, almost nonexistent. I knew there wouldn't be alot of folks, plus the temp was pretty chilly, sub-60 degrees. Ah well.

Waited in the lot at the appropriate time and no one showed up. Guess the weather was too 'bad' for them, but to be honest I wasn't crazy myself about riding home in another rain storm and probably would have bailed if I hadn't been the organizer. Another girl showed up just as I was about to give up, and the two of us had a good ride in, she showed me a 'shortcut' to work that took out a scary highway but put in a serious climb (doable maybe once in awhile, but not every day).

On the upside, it is getting easier and easier to wake up to go commute, today I barely spared a moment for 'oh man if only I could sleep in another hour' and instead just rolled out of bed and got into my car. Here's to hoping the skies don't open up (again) on my way home!

[lph]

Hey, this sounds kind of cool. I must admit I was thinking that "Bike to Work DAY" sounded kind of odd, since to me and most other bike commuters I know bike commuting is a habit you have to work in over a period of time. Here in Norway we have a nation-wide Bike To Work campaign that runs from early May to about mid June, and even that I feel is a bit short.

But as I kept reading I realized that making a big fuss about one single day, with prizes and food! - bike for a bagel is a terrific idea! - actually makes it that much easier for people who don't really want to bike, to give it a try. And maybe some of them are pleasantly surprised at how "possible" it is?

Next winter I'll have to try to pick one of the dry and mild winter days and make it "cycle for chocolate"-day

[Hah! My dh just suggested "cycle for doughnuts-day" (it kind of rhymes in Norwegian), with a logo of a bike with doughnut wheels.... ]

[7rider]

But as I kept reading I realized that making a big fuss about one single day, with prizes and food! - bike for a bagel is a terrific idea! - actually makes it that much easier for people who don't really want to bike, to give it a try. And maybe some of them are pleasantly surprised at how "possible" it is?

]

Exactly.
Many of the women who biked to work today (and posted here) are actually regular bike commuters.
As part of a bigger initiative to get folks to ditch their car and ride their bike, there is "National Bike Month" (May), "National Bike to Work Week" (May 14-18), and today....Bike to Work Day. It's to just get the public awareness up and to give them one day - with all the fanfare and hoopla - to give it a try. The hope, of course, is that they enjoy it, realize it is feasible, and pick it up as part of their routine.
...Like MDHillSlug. Congrats on the first commute! Hope it went well enough to do it again!

[MomOnBike]

A bit of irony here.

During Bike to Work Week, I drove one day (donated blood, no energy afterward) and DH had to drive twice.

We just figured we were celebrating Alternate Transportation Week.

The weather was beautiful here, I hope others took advantage.

[Geonz]

Indeed, I ironically took the day off. We don't have a whole lot formally going on - cheap coffee at four places and we sent out emails - so I don't even know how much happened. (We have a fair number of commuters already, anyway - I hope that *they* at least dropped in for the goodies!)

[divingbiker]

Here are a couple of pictures that someone from work took.

This one is kinda cool with the Capitol in the background. It shows a small part of the chaos that is Bike to Work day downtown.



This is the DC mayor, Adrian Fenty. I like this picture because of his "Taxation Without Representation" jersey. (DC is trying to get a seat in the House of Representatives.) They gave away the Jamis Coda Comp in front of the podium.

[7rider]

No fair!
D.C. offers a cooler background for pix!
Here's some folks in the Silver Spring stop and Mike, stumping for the Trek Lime.

[pyxichick]

Madscot,

My starting point is West River Road and Midtown Greenway (I live about a block from there) and I rode out to Maplewood. Beautiful day, wasn't it? Where is your starting point? Do you commute often?

[madscot13]

pyxiechick,
I just graduated and am vvery unemployed. But I thought it would be fun to ride with everyone else on their way to work. When I do find a job I would like to be able to bike there so I will support initiatives like this one even thought it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for me to be with you guys on a Ride your bike to work day. But I use a bike for nearly all of other runnings aroundings like grocery shopping and volunteering and stuff.

I live near Macalester College about 2 blocks east of Snelling Ave and 2 blocks south of Summit. It is a nice neighborhood.

Oh and yes I second the beautiful day thoughts (that is until about 8:00 when it began raining but then became a beautiful day again).

[Kimmyt]

Madscot, that is awesome! You rode into work and didn't have a work to go into! Purely awesome! Also, good luck on your job hunt!

K.

[madscot13]

After I told my roommate the story, she thinks I am crazy wonderful but crazy. I was out the door before she was even awake!