How did Bike to Work Day go for you?

[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.

[7rider]

Crud. Too fast on the "Submit Reply" button....

[pyxichick]

I took advantage of the bike to work event to finally ride my bike to work. I was afraid I would have a hard time finding a route, but it was actually pretty easy. And I hitched onto the group of people who rode with the mayor of St. Paul for part of the way. The 14 miles out to the 'burbs took me 1:10 with three pretty good hills. On the way back, with a headwind it took the same amount of time.

My co-workers all thought I was a superhero!

Yay! I'm going to do it again.

[mimitabby]

yay Pixiechick! that's what it's all about.

[madscot13]

I took advantage of the bike to work event to finally ride my bike to work. I was afraid I would have a hard time finding a route, but it was actually pretty easy. And I hitched onto the group of people who rode with the mayor of St. Paul for part of the way. The 14 miles out to the 'burbs took me 1:10 with three pretty good hills. On the way back, with a headwind it took the same amount of time.

My co-workers all thought I was a superhero!

Yay! I'm going to do it again.

hey you were there too! awesome! that was such a great time for me. I don't know if you noticed but I was the kid wearing the jeans and black zip up with a white helmet. I was also riding a green bike. Where do you bike from?

[uforgot]

I promised my students a gatorade if they rode their bike to school. I had 9 ride and most of them stored their bikes in my room. Crowded but fun, and lots of others said they would do it next year! I had two graduating seniors ride an old rusty tandem. (4th and 5th from left in their cap and gown, only you can't see the cap) After graduation practice, they rode it around town for fun. Here is the pic that's going in the local paper. (I cropped their heads off for security, the paper will print the full pic)

[Tri Girl]

That's too cool, uforgot!!! I should've offered an incentive to my students- never even thought of that! Great job to your kiddos- and the graduating seniors on the tandem- priceless!!!

[uforgot]

Funny thing, I had to remind over half of them about choosing their gatorade. They simply thought it was a fun thing to do.

[bikerHen]

My Bike to Work morning was my usual uneventful commute. My PM Bike to Home ride proved to be more exciting! First I was cruising along with a sweet tailwind and got smacked on the cheek by a HUGE bumble bee which thankfully did NOT fall into my shirt! Next as I took my lane to go through a roundabout the car in front decided to STOP and I came about as close as I ever want to rear ending a car. Then along a narrow no-shoulder road I almost ran off the road talking to a dog and a few block later a kid driving a huge old car came within inches of causing a wreck cause he couldn't wait 10 seconds for a car coming the other way to pass before he passed me! And . . . to top it all off, at the last stop light before home, for the first time, my cleat slipped on the pavement when I put my foot down and my all important girlie bit hit the top tube. OUCH! ! Thank god for a chamios!! I was really glad to get home, alive. bikerHen

[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?