When does Colorado celebrate Bike to Work Day? And why is it different than the national day?
Most of the country celebrates Bike to Work Day in May, but due to Colorado’s mountain communities and unpredictable weather, the state legislature declared June as Colorado Bike Month, with the fourth Wednesday of the month being Bike to Work Day.
Can I register if I walk to work or do something other than driving alone?
While we applaud commuters who don’t drive alone to work, we are returning to the primary goal of the campaign of promoting bicycle commuting, even if it’s one leg of the commute (i.e., bike and bus).
Why should I register?
To win great prizes! And, because Bike to Work Day is a federally funded event, registrations enable us to correctly report the impact of taking 25,000 or more vehicles off the road that day, which helps ensure future funding for the event.
Why should I bike to work?
There are many reasons, including:
- Staying fit
- Reducing your carbon footprint
- Saving money
- Avoiding traffic delays
- Starting your day energized, de-stressed and refreshed
Here is a complete list: League of American Bicyclists.
Who organizes Bike to Work Day?
The Denver Regional Council of Governments, or DRCOG, brings together city and county governments and other interested groups in the metro area each year to plan Bike to Work Day as a way of raising awareness of bicycle commuting.
Bike to Work Day represents a grassroots effort by cities, counties, transportation planners, community organizations and others across the state to educate commuters about the benefits of using two wheels to get to work.
I live outside the Denver region (i.e., Vail, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, etc.); can I register?
While we encourage all Coloradans to bike on Bike to Work Day, we are only accepting registrations for commuters in our region. Because we don’t have authority over other parts of the state, we don’t include other areas. It’s a funding and authority issue. To see a list of counties and municipalities in our area, click here.
If you’re not located in our region, contact your community to see if they are organizing their own efforts to promote Colorado Bike to Work Day. Colorado Bike to Work Day information can be found on CDOT's website
What is the best route?
Our area has hundreds of miles of paved recreational trails available to offer a comfortable ride. Here are some resources to map out your ride:
- MyWaytoGo.org Our MyWaytoGo tool helps plan all your trips, including biking--just enter a start and end point to see all your options side by side
- See our BTW Resources page
Can I register if I’m retired?
We are primarily promoting bicycle commuting and not recreational cycling. If you “work” for a volunteer organization, we encourage you to register! Recreational cyclists are welcome to attend the breakfast and bike home stations.
I’m going to be out of town on Bike to Work Day, but I can bike another day that week. Is that okay?
Absolutely! Participants can bike any day of that week to be eligible for the prizes. We understand Wednesday doesn’t work for everyone.
Do motorcyclists and scooters count?
Sorry, they do not count (nor do hybrid vehicles that are more fuel efficient than regular vehicles). While we recognize that motorcycles and scooters get better gas mileage than cars, person-powered bicycles produce no emissions and take a vehicle off the road.
I don’t see any stations in my area. Will there be any?
Stations can sign up until the last minute so check back frequently for additions.
Businesses sign up to host stations as a way to interface with potential customers in their area while supporting bicycling commuting. They organize, fund and staff their stations. Many have been participating for years, but we welcome new stations from all areas. We work with a planning group comprised of members from cities and counties, bicycle advocacy organizations and companies around the region. The group members try to encourage new stations in their areas and some are more active than others.
Businesses in your area are welcome to host a station. Registration is easy and free. If you know of any businesses that might be interested, please refer them to us! Participants are often a good source of new stations. Please refer anyone who is interested in hosting a station to our Station Organizer Toolkit.
Will any of the stations be shower stations?
Some stations offer showers, but it is up to the individual stations if they are able to do so. If you want to find a shower, read what each station is offering on the website before showing up.
Can I receive posters?
Promotional materials are available on our Download Materials page.
Why aren’t the stations open for commuters working swing and night shifts?
Traffic congestion and air pollution are the worst during peak commute times, so this is where we focus our efforts to make the greatest impact. Additionally, we have limited time and resources and can’t fit every work schedule.
Our company bike rack is almost full on a regular basis during the summer. What do you suggest for temporary bike racks?
Here are a few ideas:
- Store bicycles in an empty office
- Contact a nearby school to see if you can use their bike rack because most schools are out for the summer
- Place a two-by-four on two saw horses (you may need someone to watch the bikes though. A temporary employee?)
- Rent parade barricades from a rental company. They can be used as bike racks.
Are you looking for volunteers?
We suggest contacting stations in your area to see if they are looking for volunteers.
Can I help promote Bike to Work Day?
We'd love to have you help make our Bike to Work Day event successful. If you're interested in sponsoring the event please visit the sponsorship information page. If you'd like to download materials including posters and other promotional pieces visit the materials page. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and share with your friends and co-workers.
What’s the mission statement for Bike to Work Day?
Bike to Work Day is a strategic annual event designed to get people to try their bikes for transportation, serving as a catalyst for them to use this alternative on a consistent basis to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
When did Bike to Work Day start?
Biking to work in Colorado is a tradition. The City of Boulder first celebrated Bike to Work Day more than 25 years ago. CDOT then began promoting it statewide, and in 1995 the Denver Regional Council of Governments began helping the area's cities and counties link their individual events together. Bike to Work Day is celebrated in many communities along the Front Range and in the mountains, but our region's event is the largest in the state.