Alexandria Celebrates “Bike to Work” Day As Affordable, Efficient and Environmentally Friendly
May 15th, 2008 Categories: Alexandria, Green Living
Just on the heels of being named as the top walking city in Virginia, Alexandria will recognize national Bike to Work day on Friday, May 16th. Thousands of cyclists across the area will celebrate bicycle commuting as an affordable, efficient and environmentally friendly way of getting to work. It will also demonstrate that the region’s transportation network makes cycling in Alexandria and the greater Washington metropolitan area a feasible and safe travel option.
More than 20 “pit stops” will be available to the commuter cyclists. In Alexandria, the pit stop will take place from 6:30am to 8:30am at Market Square in the heart of Old Town (301 King Street). Cyclists will receive free food, beverages and a variety of services from local businesses and sponsors. A Metrobus will be on hand for cyclists to practice loading and unloading their bikes. Bikes are also permitted on Metro trains.
Alexandria participants will have a chance to win several grand prizes as part of a raffle that will take place at 8:00am. Those prizes include:
- Jannis Commuter 3 bike, courtesy of Wheel Nuts Bike Shop
- Free weekend night stay at the new Hotel Monaco, courtesy of Hotel Monaco
- Complete Performance Overall tune up gift, courtesy of Wheel Nuts Bike Shop
- $100 dining gift certificate, courtesy of HSBC bank
So what are you waiting for? Shimmy into your riding shorts, strap on your cleats, grab your helmet and let’s get going!
Michael
Hi. Please join the Bicycle to Work! LinkedIn networking group. Members pledge that they will try to ride their bicycle to work or on an errand at least once a week. Although the benefits should be obvious, let me outline them here.
Right now people in the industrialized world are facing two very grave problems: obesity and a growing scarcity of oil. Compounding this problem is the new food shortage brought about, in part, by the conversion of food cropland to bio-fuel crop production. Most people feel powerless to help, but there is one thing that we can do. Ride our bicycles to work.
If everyone would agree to ride their bikes to work one day per week we could cut oil consumption by as much as 10-15%. No one would argue that riding a bike burns more calories than driving the car. Although popular politically right now, most bio-fuels consume more energy than they produce. We would be much better to eat those bio-crops then use our own energy to transport us around.
So spread the word. Make it a movement! Bicycle to work one day a week and do your part to cut back obesity and the overuse of oil and precious cropland.
Just go to my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreylstevenson and you can click on the group to be included. While you are there, don’t forget to ask to link to my network of more than 9,000,000 like-minded professionals. I accept all invitations and look forward to meeting you.
Jeff
Jeff,
Thanks for the enthusiastic support and the links to additional resources. I may have to take you up on that challenge.
Michael