BIKE TO WORK DAY

The week of May 11-15 is Bike to Work Week and on Thursday May 14, thousands of bicyclists will be celebrating Bike to Work Day in Los Angeles and across the country.

Check out the Los Angeles Bike to Work Week 2009 Event Calendar.

For Bike Week Pasadena events, visit www.cicle.org/bwp_2008/bwp_scedule.html

You can join this nation-wide event! Why should you try biking to work? Here are a few reasons.

1. Bicycling is better for your health. You'll be getting some exercise while actually riding to a destination: your work. That's a lot more interesting than sitting on a stationary bike going nowhere.
2. Bicycling is better for the environment. Bikes do not pollute.
3. Bicycling is a more pleasant way to get to work. Many regular bike commuters look forward to their ride to and from work each day. You'll arrive to work energized and awake.
4. Traffic jams are not a problem on a bike. You can cruise right past all those drivers stuck bumper to bumper. Be sure to wave!
5. Bicycling will save you money. There's no gas to buy so it doesn't matter how much the price of gas goes up. It also costs a lot less to own and maintain a bike than it does a car.
6. You can ride to the bus stop or the train station, then take your bike with you. This makes it even easier to travel longer distances. Bicyclists can ride Metro buses and trains for free on Bike to Work Day!
7. You don't have to search for a parking space when you bike to work. You also don't have to pay for parking with a bicycle.

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition wants you to ride your bike on Bike to Work Day. If you've never done it before, we ask that you try it once and see what it's like. We believe you will enjoy the experience and that you might even continue riding to work at least some of the time. We've collected some tips and information to help you get started. Please be sure to register for Bike to Work Day so your ride is counted. We'll see you out riding on May 14th!

Did you know that L.A. County Bicycle Coalition members receive discounts at local bike shops? Your membership helps the LACBC to Build a Better, Bike-able L.A. County. Click here to become a member.

Monday May 11 - Kick-off Event at Olvera St. 8:30am
We need lots of cyclists to represent! Show the media that cyclists do ride to work!!

Tuesday May 12
8:00 am
Blessing of the Bikes at Good Samaritan Hospital at 8:00 am.
For more information visit: www.goodsam.org/news/blessing_bicycles.php

Wednesday May 13 8:00 am
Downtown LA Bike Ride.
Meet at Civic Center Metro Red Line Station at 8am.

Thursday May 14 - LA Bike to Work Day
Free rides all day on Metro and other transit operators.
Pit Stop at City Hall East between 6 and 9 AM.
- Come show the Mayor and elected officials that we are here in numbers!!
- Then stop by LACBC pit stop at 634 S. Spring Street.

Check out the complete list of pit stops for LA County.

Friday May 15 - Bike to School Day
For more information contact bikes_at_school@la-bike.org. Also visit Safe Bicycle Routes for LA Schools.

Please check back frequently for updates.

Bike to Work Week Pasadena Events: May 11 - May 16
Check out the schedule of events. Read the cicle.org press release.

Bike to Work Day Glendale - May 14th
For more info and to see a list of events go to: la-bike.org/glendale/

It's important to register for Bike to Work Day. Why? Because city, county and state transportation agencies as well as advocacy groups count these numbers and use them to justify funding for bicycle infrastructure and education. If the number of bike commuters increases, it will become much harder to ignore the need to incorporate bicycles in our transportation infrastructure. Many cities in America already get it. Los Angeles still has a long way to go. Make sure you are counted!

Register at: www.californiabikecommute.com/register.asp

Are you self-employed? Don't let that stop you. If you ride to a particular work site, use that for the mileage you enter. If you work from home or you're a stay-at-home mom/dad, use the mileage from other bike trips such as your ride to the grocery store or to the post office instead. Make a commitment not to drive on Bike to Work Day. The point is to make it known that you are riding instead of driving on May 14th.

Are you currently unemployed? Use the mileage between your home and the unemployment office, or use mileage for other bike trips similar to self-employed or stay-at-home individuals. Make a commitment to bike and not drive on Bike to Work Day.

Using a bike that you haven't ridden in a long time? Have it checked out by your local bike shop. Most bike shops offer a tune-up for a nominal fee to ensure your bike is in good working condition. Don't wait until you're on the road to find out something is wrong.

So what gear do you need and what gear can make your ride more pleasant? Follow these links...

• EQUIP YOUR BIKE
• EQUIP YOURSELF
• BEST WAYS TO CARRY YOUR STUFF
• MUST HAVES TO HAVE WITH YOU
• WHAT TO WEAR: FUNCTION AND FASHION TOO!
• WHICH WAY AROUND L.A.? PLOT YOUR ROUTE
• BIKE LAW 101: YOUR ROAD RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• SAFETY FIRST: WHAT TO DO TO STAY SAFE
• PUT IT HERE: WHERE AND HOW TO PARK
• MORPHING FROM STEALTH CYCLIST INTO COOL, CALM WORKER BEE!
• BICYCLE COMMUTER CHECKLIST

Metro Bike to Work page www.metro.net/biketowork
Cyclists ride free on Bike to Work Day!

California Bicycle Coalition Bike to Work Checklist. Download (PDF).

California Bike Commute Bike to Work Checklist
www.californiabikecommute.com