Bike to Work Day 2014 is Almost Here!

Montgomery County Commuter Services, Commuter Connections, and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association invite you to join more than 10,000 area commuters for a celebration of bicycling as a fun and healthy way to get to work on Bike To Work Day, Friday, May 16, 2014!

Attend one of 79 pit stops throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia for refreshments and to be entered into a raffle for bicycles and other prizes. Free T-shirts are available at pit stops to the first 14,000 who register and attend.

Montgomery County Commuter Services will operate pit stops at Bethesda, Fallsgrove Village Center, Friendship Heights, North Bethesda, Rockville Town Center and Silver Spring in the morning on Bike To Work Day. New for 2014, there will also be an afternoon pit stop in Silver Spring. There will be a raffle drawing for a bicycle at each of the above pit stops.

See the FLYER for more details and visit the website to register: http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/

Maryland Ranks Among Most Bike-Friendly States

Cyclists may find it easy to bike in the Old Line State as Maryland ranked high on a list of most bike-friendly states in the U.S. Maryland ranked No. 7 on The League of American Bicyclists' list of best states for cycling. Each year, the league ranks states on their friendliness to cycling based on measures such as policies and programs, legislation and enforcement, as well as infrastructure and funding. 

Washington state ranked No. 1 with Minnesota close behind. Montana and Alabama came in at the bottom of the list ranking 49 and 50, respectively. Washington state scored 66.8 points out of a possible 100. Maryland scored 53.8 points, in part due to its high scores in education and encouragement with biking. Virginia ranked at No. 18, with a score of 41.5 points. D.C. was not included on the list. 

The results are based on a multi-faceted Bicycle Friendly State questionnaire that is answered by each state's bicycle coordinator. Maryland's Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator is Michael Jackson.

Visit the League of American Bicyclists's website to read the full study.

(Source: WTOP.com, May 7, 2014.) 

Montgomery County Celebrates Bike to School Day May 7

On May 7, Montgomery County will be joining communities across the nation to celebrate the third annual Bike to School Day that builds on the success of Walk to School Day observed internationally every October. Bike to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for bicycling and walking and emphasize the importance of increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events also develop stronger connections between families, schools and the broader community.

This year’s focus event will be held at Takoma Park Middle School, located at 7611 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring. From 7 to 7:20 a.m., bike ambassadors and parent volunteers will welcome students and guide them to use “bike lanes” created on sidewalks leading to the school’s main entrance. Bikers will receive snacks and raffle tickets for bike helmets and accessories. Morning physical education classes will engage students in a “Bike-Academic” game show designed to highlight bicycling best practices.

Partners in the event include Takoma Park Safe Routes to School, Takoma Park Middle School, Takoma Park Police, Bikes for the World, SafeKids Worldwide and SafeKids Montgomery County.

Other Montgomery County schools that are participating in Bike to School Day include Piney Branch, East Silver Spring, Coldspring, Wyngate and Kensington-Parkwood elementary schools as well as Silver Spring International Middle School.