What is it? Bike to Work Day is a day in the second week of May of each year that is used to promote bicycling as an alternative to driving to work. It is held during Bike to Work Week and National Bike Month, which coincides with American Lung Association's Clean Air Month. Bike to Work Day features a series of local events that includes free breakfasts, 'energizer' stations, and prize giveaways in a variety of locations. More than 100,000 participants commuted to work by bicycle during the 9th Annual California Bike Commute Week (the largest of its kind in the United States) from May 12th to May 16th, 2003.

Bike to Work Day has been in existence in California since 1994. In 1995, the California Bicycle Coalition (CBC) organized the first statewide Bike to Work Day (known as California Bike Commute), which was coordinated in the Bay Area by RIDES.  Co-sponsors included Caltrans, the California Air Resources Board, and many public and private companies and organizations throughout the state.

California Bike Commute Week relies on large and small employers to encourage their employees to commute to work by bicycle, and elected officials throughout the state are recruited to participate in the event. It is also promoted by the bike shops, statewide bicycle publications, newspapers, television, radio, and direct mail. Individual advocates participate by helping organize the event, gathering sponsors, planning energizer stations, and promoting the event.

 

Strength in numbers: several bicycle commuters participate in the 2002 Bike to Work Day in San Francisco. (Source: San Francisco Bicycle Coalition)

Why use it? There are four main reasons to organize and publicize Bike to Work Day and other Bike Commute Week events in your community:

It is important to note that Bike to Work Day not only rewards those who regularly bicycle, it also encourages first-timers to try commuting by bicycle. For example, after Bike to Work Days, employers often find that people who tried bike commuting as part of the promotion start riding regularly. Also, by collecting so many individual cyclists riding on a single day, it underscores the seriousness of bicycling as a realistic way to get around and promotes bicycling awareness to the general public through wider exposure in the media.

How does it work? Bicyclists are encouraged to register for Bike to Work Day in advance of the event by signing up on the website of a local bicycle advocacy group. They are also encouraged to prepare for the event by making sure their bicycle is in safe working order, planning out the route to work ahead of time, and taking a test ride when automobile traffic is lighter (such as during the weekend). On Bike to Work Day itself, bicyclists of all skill levels are encouraged to come out in force. 'Energizer' stations are set up in key locations throughout the city, where food, drinks, and commuting information are made available to the bicyclists. Members of the media often choose these stations as a point to cover the story. More than 200 energizer stations were set up at various locations around the state during California Bike Commute Week 2003. In addition to the pit stops, many employers throughout the state provide extra incentives for their employees to try bicycling to work. Some employers provide breakfast for those that commute by bike and many give special prizes including Bike to Work Day t-shirts. Canvas bicycle bags are another popular giveaway, filled with promotional literature and sample products from the sponsors of the event, information on local advocacy groups, and free transit vouchers to try out local public transit systems.

 

Bicyclists converge at one of the many 'Energizer Stations' set up as part of Seattle's 2002 Bike to Work Day. (Source: West Seattle Bike to Work Day)