Bike to Work Day promotes bike commuting and is often scheduled during National Bike Month in the US. Local governments declare the day and promote cycling, with benefits including exercise, cost savings, and reduced traffic. Promotions and new installations may also be unveiled. The goal is to encourage more people to cycle to work, with May chosen for its favorable weather.
Bike to Work Day is a day designated to promote bike commuting. In the United States, where May is National Bike Month, the day is often scheduled to fall during this month when the weather is favorable for bike commuting. Potentially, any day of the year could be designated as Bike to Work Day, and people are by no means limited to one every year.
Typically, a city council or other form of local government declares a particular day as Bike to Work Day, then the day is promoted. Often, members of city government choose to cycle to work that day, sometimes leading rides into the city center and encouraging reporters to join them. It is common to see photographs in the newspaper of civic leaders locking their bikes to bike racks, hitting the road in a bike lane, or socializing with other cyclists to encourage all citizens to do the same.
There are a number of benefits to commuting by bike, all promoted heavily during National Bike Month and Bike to Work Day. Cyclists exercise on the way to work, avoid using expensive fuel, and often avoid the worst of traffic, as they can get around the traffic jams that plague many cities. Especially for cities with an environmentally concerned population, the event is used to promote other environmentally friendly practices, encouraging people to make small changes in their daily lives for the benefit of the world as a whole.
It’s not uncommon to see various promotions bundled with Bike to Work Day. For example, local service organizations might give out bike helmets, safety lights, and other tools to make biking safer and more enjoyable. The event can also be used as an opportunity to unveil new bike lanes, bike racks and other city installations that promote cycling, ranging from designated bike lanes to workplace showers for cyclists to rinse off after their ride.
The goal of this day is to get more people cycling rather than driving by demonstrating that it is easy, fun and safe to cycle to work. This is one reason why May is typically chosen for the event, as the weather tends to be mild and favourable, ideal for cycling.
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