Bike to Work Week Starts Tomorrow

By Ali Trachta in Miscellaneous on Jun 6, 2008 3:57PM

The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is on a mission to get our butts out of our cars and off the CTA’s new upholstery, and onto a bike seat pronto. They’re teaming up with the City of for the first official Bike to Work Week which aims to open Chicagoans’ minds to becoming full-time bike commuters.

The Federation encourages biking for the obvious reasons: it’s environmentally friendly, reduces traffic, and potentially minimizes transportation costs. According to them, only 7-10 percent of bikers commute to work regularly, so if those numbers increased, the positive impact would as well.

To make the ride a little more comfortable, the Federation has set up Bicycle Commuter Stations in different spots everyday around town where new bikers can pick up free coffee and energizing snacks, as well as lube and pump. (Their bike chains and tires, respectively.)

If you’re feeling extra motivated and want to start the trend in your office, there’s still time for your company to sign up for the Bicycle Commuter Challenge and attempt to recruit the highest percentage of bikers in the city. If you work for large corporation there’s a good chance your company is already registered. Check here to see.

Bike to Work Week starts Saturday, June 7 and concludes with a rally in Daley Plaza on Friday, June 13. Drivers, be extra careful opening doors.

Photo by pntphoto.