Gas prices are rising again, but there are commute alternatives: take the bus, join a vanpool or you could help your bottom line by taking a bike to work. This years National Bike to Work Day takes place Friday, May 18.
Riding a bike to work can provide the days workout in addition to reducing air pollution and gas consumption. If every American adult biked to work once a week instead of driving, gas consumption would be cut by 1 billion gallons a year. Community Transit and Everett Transit provide bike racks on all their buses, so you can always combine your cycling trip with a bus ride.
On Bike to Work Day there will be several celebration stations around Snohomish County, including a new one in Marysville. Riders can stop by the stations for free snacks, great giveaways, bike maps and other fun goodies. A bike shop mechanic will be on hand at each station to provide free bike safety checks. Bike to Work Day stations will be located at:
Marysville Comeford Park, State Avenue & Fifth Street, open 6-9 a.m.
Lynnwood Transit Center, 202nd Street SW & 46th Avenue W, open 6-9 a.m.
Everett Boeing, 75th & Seaway, open 4:30-8:30 a.m.
Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave., open 5-9 a.m.
McCollum Park Park & Ride, 128th Street & Dumas Road, open 6-9 a.m.
In addition to Bike to Work Day, a separate Snohomish County Bike Commute Challenge runs from May 18 to June 15. Participants can form teams of four to 10 people at their workplace who commit to riding to work at least five times during the challenge for fun and prizes.
Last year more than 600 people participated. Teams can get more information about the Bike Commute Challenge by visiting www.communitytransit.org.
A Ride of Silence will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Join the BIKES Club of Snohomish County for this 12 mile, hour-long ride starting at the Amphitheater at the north side of the County Administration complex in Everett, at Oakes Avenue and Wall Street.
Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isnt aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.
Snohomish County Bike to Work is sponsored by Community Transit and Everett Transit as part of the agencies commitment to encouraging alternative transportation. Other major sponsors of Snohomish County Bike to Work are: Snohomish County, REI, Boeing, Bicycle Centres, City of Everett, Harvys Bike Shop, Premera Blue Cross, Perteet, Sharing Wheels, Zipfizz and Clif Bar. Celebration Station sponsors are: City of Lynnwood, Greggs Cycle, Naval Station Everett and the Marysville Parks Department.
For more information on local Bike to Work events, visit www.communitytransit.org/go2/biketowork or call Community Transit at 425-353-7433 (RIDE). For information on Bike to Work events in King County, visit www.cascade.org.