Bay Area’s Bike to Work Day
I had every intention to bike to work today, but ended up taking my usual N-Judah instead. Why? I blame the weather. (I know it is sunny and beautiful right now, but I promise, it was crappola this morning!)
Thousands of Bay Area residents, however, had no excuses. An estimated 150,000 commuters and students hopped on their bikes today for the 15th Annual Bike to Work Day.
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has been holding this event for the last 15 years in May (May is National Bike Month) to encourage Bay Area residents to get healthy and fit, protect the environment, all by promoting bicycling as a viable method of transportation. Did you know that more than one million Bay Area residents live within five miles of their workplace? So why drive when you could bike? That’s the SFBC motto.
Bicyclists ranged from CEO’s and VPs in dress shirts and ties to school kids wearing jeans and backpacks to hard core riders in their spandex and biking gear, pedaling along bike paths and city streets. “Energizer Stations” were set up all throughout the Bay Area, where bicyclists could stop for refreshments, free giveaways, or simply to be “pumped up” by fellow participants.
As for me, I am kicking myself for not sucking it up and biking to work today, but, it’s not like I can’t bike to work tomorrow or the next day. People should bike to work as often as they can for the reasons stated above. Here’s to continuous healthy living in San Francisco. Never a dull moment!
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
I wonder what smog and air quality levels were like in San Francisco on Bike to Work Day. I’m guessing with less cars on the road the quality of the air (albeit for one day) improved. Imagine how the quality of the air we breathe would improve if we were able to significantly reduce the amount of cars on the road. Hopefully, Bike to Work Day was successful in bringing biking as an alternative commute method into the spotlight.
I took muni today – does that count
Love the concept of bike to work day, and your description of the range of people riding their bikes to work! Are there any excellent SF bike stores that you would recommend if people are interested in purchasing a bike this month?