is the San Francisco Bay Area’s 12th annual Bike to Work Day—a celebration of bicycling as a healthy, fun and viable form of transportation.
Published: April, 2006
Thursday, May 18 is the San Francisco Bay Area’s 12th annual Bike to Work Day—a celebration of bicycling as a healthy, fun and viable form of transportation.
Throughout the Bay Area, dozens of local events taking place during the months of April and May will get people excited about bicycling, and the benefits it provides for public health, traffic reduction and our environment.
Stay tuned to 511.org to find out about local events happening in your community, such as the group bike ride and party in Marin County, or the Bike Home From Work Party in San Francisco.
Ride to Win
On the morning of Bike to Work Day, hundreds of energizer stations will be located throughout the Bay Area to provide free beverages, snacks, bike messenger bags (while supplies last) and encouragement to bicyclists. A list of energizer station locations will be posted on the bicycling page at 511.org. Those who register to ride their bikes to work on May 18 are eligible to win one of three bicycles, plus a range of other prizes—just enter online at 511.org.
Another way to participate and win is through the Team Bike Challenge. Teams ride as often as possible during the month of May, and the team that rides the most wins the grand prize. Details are on the opposite page, and are also available on 511.org. Bike to Work Day updates will be available on the Website, or dial 511 and say bicycling at the main menu.
Nominate a Bike Commuter of the Year
Do you know someone in your county who is committed to making every day a Bike to Work Day? Does this person epitomize and actualize the health, environmental, social and economic benefits of bicycling? Please share their story with us!
We are now accepting nominations for Bike Commuter of the Year, and one person from each of the nine Bay Area counties will receive an award.
Nominations are due by April 17. Visit the bicycling page at 511.org to get your nomination in today.
Attention Reality Show Fans:
This is your chance to start pedaling your way to fame!
Are you a fan of reality shows like Survivor or Amazing Race? Ever think about trying out for one? How about going for the next best thing—participating in the Bay Area’s Team Bike Challenge!
Team Bike Challenge is a month-long event in which teams ride their bikes as much as possible, while competing against each other for the most trips and points during the month of May. Now’s the time to form your teams, as the Challenge begins May 1, says Cole Portocarrero, the Bike to Work Day and Team Bike Challenge coordinator.Participants in the Challenge form teams of five, choose a creative name for their team, sign up at
511.org and log the days they bicycle on a personalized calendar on the site. Teams do not have to ride together, and each team member earns a point every day they use a bike for transportation purposes. We’re hoping that the Challenge will inspire people to use their bikes for many more days than they would otherwise, says Portocarrero. Teams can track each other’s progress online on the 511.org bicycling page. Plus, every week, the Website will provide a team status report so they can stay competitive with other teams in their county.The highest scoring teams in each county will be eligible for a range of prizes, and the top team in each of the nine Bay Area counties will be honored with a bike rack and an honorary plaque to be placed at a location of the members’ choice.
When is the Team Bike Challenge?
Team Bike Challenge takes place during National Bike Month: May 1 to May 31.
How to enter:
It’s simple: Form a five-member team and sign up at 511.org. Your team must have exactly five members including: a team captain, at least two novices and one optional Big Wheel teammate. All team members must live and/or work in the same county.
Novice: A novice is new to riding, or an infrequent rider who uses their bike only two times a month or less. Novices are great teammates because for every day they pedal around town they earn double points for your team. Each team can have two to five novice riders.
Big Wheel: A Big Wheel is an elected official, media person, company executive or manager. They are an optional addition to your team, but earn triple points for each day they ride. Each team may have only one Big Wheel.
How to score points:
Use your bike to pedal about town or to work during the month of May. Points are accrued by the number of days you use your bicycle, and only for trips with transportation purposes.
How to log points:
Individual team members will log on to a personalized calendar at 511.org to record the days they ride within the month of May. Even if a team signs up mid-month they can win!
Prizes:
The team that scores the most points will win a grand prize: a bike rack to be placed in a public space of their choice in their county. The bike rack will include a plaque dedicating the rack to their team. Each team member will also win a prize. Stay tuned to 511.org for more prize information.
For more information visit the bicycling page at 511.org, call 511 and say bicycling or e-mail us at btwd@511.org.
