Bike To Work Day – May

While some people bike to work every day, others make sure not to miss Bike To Work Day, once a year.
Bike to Work Day is held in May of every year during Bike To Work Week.

Bike to work day is actually a statewide event. California is attempting to promote healthier habits while putting less pollution off in the environment.

May Is National Bike Month
But it’s bigger than all that. May is actually National Bike Month. NBM was established in 1956 and is currently sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. It focuses on promoting widespread use of bicycles for commuting, errands, cardiovascular activity and more. NBM claims that in San Francisco alone, bicycle commuting has gone up 258% from 1990-2011.

Oakland Bike To Work Day

The City of Oakland goes all out for bike to work day.
You can find bicycle friendly oases throughout the city, also known as Energizer Stations. These Energizer Stations may hand out gift bags, bike swag, free snacks, coffee, juices and more.
Local businesses may be offering their own things such as free coffee at Whole Foods if you bike there with your helmet.
The City of Oakland also host an annual Pancake Breakfast from 7am till 9am downtown Oakland at City Hall. There will be lots of raffle giveaways with great prizes and gift certificates to local bike shops and restaurants. More info
Bike East Bay says more than 15,000 people participated last year on Bike 2 Work Day.
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Old Oakland Block Party!
Old Oakland closes off the streets and invites out the bikers after work for a happy hour block party featuring music, food, beer, events and more. Starts off at 5pm.

Get Healthy
That’s an obvious but ask yourself this. Do you ever even walk? It turns out most people don’t do shit. In their programmed daily life they leave the house only to walk to their car, drive to work, put in time and drive home. Every day, no walking, no biking. Sit sit sit sit, walk to and from car. This is terrible! Walking to Starbucks from your office on break or McDonald’s for lunch does not count.
So ride your bike to work. Every day. Don’t be one of those people who don’t do shit.

Reduce Pollution The Real Way
Don’t be one of those people who buys a reusable bag and considers yourself a victor in the fight against pollution. Stop driving for no reason.
Reports say that 43% of all car trips in the Bay Area are under 2 miles(like to go to Whole Foods and use your reusable bag). If this is true and people started riding their bikes more they could greatly reduce air pollution. Studies have proven that most of your cars emissions occur within the first mile of your trip. Supposedly 70% of the pollutions from a 10 mile trip is emitted on the first mile. Bike Oakland.

Save Money!!!!
I haven’t owned a car in about 4 years and have saved tons of money from gasoline and insurance to parking tickets and random break downs. Bikes cost practically nothing to maintain. Cars cost thousands upon thousands.

Fight Traffic
When you ride a bike you get to zip right past tons of cars stuck in lines everywhere you go. Bike parking is easy just make sure you have a good bike lock in Oakland.

Be Social?
I’m imagining a world where there are more bikes on the streets than cars. People would have more interactions and be more social, and maybe even meet that dream partner!
Get on your bike, get out and smile people.

p.s.
If you really want to be social on your bike, try East Bay Bike Party, once a month