Press Releases

For Immediate Release

The Bay Area's Bike to Work Day Is Thursday, May 17th

Exciting Local Events Occurring All Week Long

CONTACT:
Cole Portocarrero, Bay Area Bicycle Coalition Executive Director & Bike to Work Day Event Coordinator, 415.246.8078

OAKLAND, Calif., May 14, 2007… Today is the beginning of Bike to Work Week, and this Thursday, May 17 marks the San Francisco Bay Area’s 13th annual Bike to Work Day, a celebration that promotes bicycling as a healthy, fun, and viable form of transportation. On the morning of May 17, volunteers at hundreds of Energizer Stations will be located along bike commute routes in all nine Bay Area counties to provide free beverages, bike-related giveaways, snacks and encouragement to bicyclists. During Bike to Work Week, May 14-18, visit 511.org to learn about exciting local events taking place throughout the Bay Area to promote bicycle commuting.

During the entire month of May the second annual Team Bike Challenge is taking place with over 200 teams registered to compete against each other to win a grand prize of a bike rack to be placed in a public location of choice. This competition gets existing bicycle commuters to recruit their colleagues, friends, neighbors and local ‘honorary’ figures to bicycle to work, school and other destinations. Participating in the Team Bike Challenge this year as a member of the Rainbow Riders, Commissioner Ken Yeager of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission says, “Since I have been participating in 511’s Team Bike Challenge, I have found that using my bike can get me anywhere I need to go quickly with a lot less stress. I encourage everyone to join me in biking to work this month as an opportunity to avoid congested freeways and overcrowded parking lots.”

In recognition of those who make every day a “bike to work day,” a Bike Commuter of the Year was chosen from each of the nine Bay Area counties to receive a Metropolitan Transportation Commission award, acknowledging their exemplary commitment to bicycle commuting. Visit the Bicycling page at 511.org for more information about each county award recipient.

According to Census data, approximately 36,000 Bay Area residents use a bicycle as their primary means of getting to work each day. Organizers expect up to 100,000 bicycle participants on Bike to Work Day, May 17. Complete information about Bike to Work Day — including information on how to enter the free raffle to win a range of prizes, maps of bike routes around the region, tips for taking bikes on transit and finding a “Bike Buddy” in the free matching system — can be found at 511.org.

The San Francisco Bay Area’s Bike to Work Day 2007 is sponsored by Webcor Builders and 511. Promotions are being organized by the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, county congestion management agencies, and hundreds of local volunteers. For more information, visit 511.org or call 511 and say “bicycling.” Hop on your bike and go!

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