BIKE TO WORK WEEK SET FOR 2010
Mark your calendars: Bike To Work Week in Spokane will take place May16th-22nd and hopes to build on the success of last year’s event which drew 1,472 registered participants.
In terms of our attitude toward cycling to work, DTE thinks of something Bike To Work organizer Barb Chamberlain told the Spokesman a while back: “I think people would be scared off if they had to change their whole life all at once. But it’s so doable, once it’s part of your routine.” We're all creatures of habit, and it takes a simple event like Bike To Work week to make us realize change is easily within our reach. In addition to the excellent health benefits, especially cardiovascular, we hope readers realize the impact of this alternative commuting method: Biking to work at least four days a week (presumably eight miles, round trip), would save yourself 54 gallons of gas annually and 1,140 pounds of carbon emissions.
But for us, riding a bike is still so much fun. “It’s like being a kid again,” Chamberlain said, “if you remember when having a bike meant freedom.”
After the jump, you’ll read the press release sent out from 3rd District State Representative candidate and BTW volunteer Andy Billig.
Popular Bike Commuting Celebration to Take Place May 16-22
Spokane, WA – Building on the success of last year’s Bike to Work Week that drew 1,472 registered participants, organizers announced today that Bike to Work Week 2010 is set for May 16-22.
“This event just keeps getting bigger and better each year,” said volunteer committee chair Barb Chamberlain, who also works as director of communications for WSU Spokane. “Our goal for 2010 is to register 1,700 participants and sign up at least 80 teams for the Commute Challenge.”
Bike to Work Week 2009 featured well-attended events such as the kick-off breakfast, a Bicycle Education Fair, Walk & Roll to School Day at Spokane Public Schools with over 2,200 students participating, the Group Health Commute Challenge featuring 62 teams, and the popular wrap-up party. In total, during Bike to Work Week participants avoided more than 64,000 miles of vehicle transportation by riding their bikes
In 2010 the Commute Challenge will be extended to a month, with Bike to Work Week as the kickoff. “This gives people more chances to ride,” Chamberlain said. “We had such great response to the Commute Challenge in 2009 that we wanted to make it bigger and better in 2010.”
Registration for the 2010 edition of Bike to Work Week will open in March. For more information, please visit www.biketoworkspokane.org.
Bike commuting provides benefits to commuters, employers and the community as a whole. Commuters can be healthier, save on transportation expenses and enjoy the trip to and from work. Employers benefit by having healthier, happier employees and lower health care costs. And, the community benefits from less vehicle traffic, less pollution and a healthier population.
Bike to Work Week is supported by the following sponsors:
Gold Wheel: REI, Spokane Public Radio, Silver Spoke: Alt 29 Design, Out There Monthly, Steam Plant Grill/Coeur d’Alene Brewing Company, Mountain Gear, Bronze Gear: North Division Bicycle Shop, Silver Collector Car Auctions.
Bike to Work Spokane is organized by a volunteer committee as a project of the SpokeFest Association, a 501c3 non-profit organization, in partnership with the City of Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington.
For More information:
Barb Chamberlain: 509-869-2949
@Bike2WrkSpokane
www.facebook.com/BiketoWorkSpokane
info@biketoworkspokane.org
