How to Celebrate Bike to Work Week 2009

How will a bicycle commuter be celebrating Bike to Work week 2009? May is a great month to be encouraging people to ride bikes to work. It is not to hot and we are finally getting over the chills of winter. There are many ways that communities will be celebrating bike to work week 2009 and your local bike to work association will currently have the events for the month of Bike to Work all planned out. Not sure what to do? You can start with the American League of American Bicyclists Website for your community. It is a great resource for cyclists. They have links to every major Bicycle Association or Coalition in the USA.

Many communities will probably be starting the Bike to Work week 2009 with a major event, and it is best to check your local bike calendar, ie, New York City will be kicking off their Bike to Work 2009 on April 26, 2009. Albany, NY as in many cities in the US and Canada will be starting the Bike to Work celebrations on May 1st.

You will find during Bike to Work week that there will be many meals with political figures. In Albany New York on May 13th, at 9:00am there will be a Legislative Breakfast where you can voice your bike commuting concerns with politicians. There are 4 such snack dates and times with the Borough presidents in New York State These are important meetings with politicians for cyclists to get the word out about building bike lanes, improving bike safety, or even just getting recognized as an alternative form of transportation. Politicians listen to numbers and if enough people show up at these events they will listen. They want your vote. They want to be elected. So, find what when your cycling community will be meeting with your politicians.

During Bike to Work 2009 there will be bicycle maintenance or "Tune Up Your Bike" Clinics. Go to one, these are invaluable for cyclists to tune up their bike. When you ride in the city, your brakes should be in tip-top shape, so you can stop quickly. You should be able to change a tire tube quickly and on the fly. There are special tools for this now, and if you can learn how to use them. Keep your tires inflated, and even learn at what height your seat should be for the most comfortable ride.

Bike to Work Day 2009 , is an important day to meet other cyclists who bike to work - check your local bike to work day calendar. Bike to Work Day can range anywhere from May 13th to 15th. There are points all over your city where riders will rendezvous and receive refreshments, snacks, brochures, etc. Get out and meet other bike commuters. Talk to them, and have a lot of fun. Many of them will be riding to certain areas as a group, ride with them.

Watch out for day or evening rides around your community during Bike to Work week 2009. These are great times to meet other more experienced cyclists around your community. Many long-term relationships can be built around these rides. Cyclist are generally physically fit, energetic, gregarious people

During Bike to Work week 2009 there will probably be Rides of Silence. Riding a bicycle can be dangerous, and many cyclists have lost their lives riding. These rides are commemorating the deaths of cyclists. There are usually very strict rules about what you wear and talking on these rides. Make sure you find out what they are before you join them for a ride.

An excellent document on how to celebrate Bike to Work Week can be found at New York Bicycling Coalition. It has over 50 Ways to Celebrate Bike Month. There are some excellent ideas in this downloadable file. I hope to see you out there on you bike.