Saturday, May 19, 2007

2007 Bike to Work week concludes

People stop at a booth dedicated to Bike to Work Day at Battery and Market Streets in San FranciscoBike to Work day occurred this week in many communities across the U.S. The trend identified in numerous news accounts was high participation, encouraged by higher fuel prices and growing environmental concerns.

"The sun came out Thursday and so did the bikes--in record numbers--as thousands of cyclists pumped and pedaled their way to the office for the 13th annual Bike to Work Day," reported the San Francisco Chronicle. The paper indicated: "For the first time ever, at the height of the morning rush hour there were more bicycles than cars heading downtown on Market Street in San Francisco, officials said."

High or record-setting participation was also reported across the U.S. Here's a small sampling:

- Anderson, IN: 5:46 p.m.: Cycling season arrives with Bike to Work Day, Anderson Herald Bulletin
- Atlanta: $3-Plus-Gas Gets Commuters Biking, WXIA-TV
- Bridgewater, NJ: Many miles on 2 wheels, Courier News
- Edmond, OK: Biking to work catching on, Edmond Sun
- Eureka, CA: National Bike to Work Day, Eureka Reporter
- Frederick, MD: Residents Use Pedal Power To Get To Work, NBC25.com
- Fredericksburg, VA: Dahlgren (Naval Facility) employees push alternative commute, The Free Lance
- Los Angeles: MTA Offers Free Rides to Bicyclists, CBS2.com
- Marion, IN: Participants use pedal power, Marion Chronicle-Tribune
- Muncie, IN: Bicycles put to 'work' Friday, Muncie Star Press
- Oakland: Bicycle commuters roll out in record numbers, Oakland Tribune
- Orlando: (Mayor) Dyer Leads Bike To Work Day, Central Florida News 13
- Reno: Bike-to-Work Day observed, Reno Gazette-Journal
- San Francisco: Every Day Should be Bike to Work Day, BeyondChron.org
- Seattle: Thousands of cyclists ride, Seattle Times
- Sioux Falls, SD: Bike to Work Day event takes off, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
- Tallahassee, FL: Bike-to-Work Day draws enthusiastic officials, Tallahassee Democrat
- Visalia, CA: Who needs a car? Visalians take advantage of Bike to Work Day, Visalia Times-Delta

Image: Mark Constantini/San Francisco Chronicle
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips Site