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Bike to Work Day 2015

On June 24, 2015, more than 30,000 people in the Denver-Boulder metro area will leave their cars at home, hop on their bikes and pedal to work. Celebrated annually on the fourth Wednesday of June, the region’s Bike to Work Day has been around for more than 25 years. More than just a clean and healthy way to get to work, the event helps raise awareness of cycling and generates momentum for bike-friendly streets and trails.

The second-largest event of its kind in the nation, Bike to Work Day has become a favorite summertime event for many throughout Colorado.

In addition to bicycle commuters, the annual event involves hundreds of local businesses, nonprofits and other organizations hosting the 200+ breakfast, bike home and water stations located throughout the region – from Castle Rock in the south to Longmont in the north and all parts in between. And, the Bike to Work Day Business Challenge attracts nearly 1,000 company teams going up against each other in a friendly competition to see who can garner the most enthusiasm for bicycle commuting among their employees.

The health benefits are clear. The average one-way trip for a Bike to Work Day cyclist in 2014 was 9.5 miles. That round-trip bike ride burned a whopping 1,186 calories. For those with longer commutes, participants are encouraged to take a bus or light rail train for part of their commute, if possible. RTD buses and trains allow bikes to be transported with a paid fare. Bikes can be attached to the bike rack on the front of buses (or placed in the cargo compartment for regional trips) or carried aboard light rail trains in designated areas.

Bike to Work Day has a positive impact on the environment as well as traffic congestion. Because fuel efficiency varies from vehicle to vehicle, the most accurate measure of the event is by vehicle miles traveled. In 2014, Bike to Work Day participants reduced automobile commuting by 337,842 miles from 35,562 bicycling trips in just one day!

For some, Bike to Work Day marks the beginning of summer. For others, it’s a great excuse to leave their car behind, go outside and get some exercise. For first-time participants, it provides a supportive atmosphere to try bicycle commuting. And, for a select group of regular bicycle commuters, it’s just another day (albeit a day with
free food, drink and freebies all along their route to work). Most event participants agree the day is good, old-fashioned fun on two wheels!

The event is free and participants are encouraged to register at waytogo.org/biketowork. Registration for this year’s event opens May 1.