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Highlights from Bike To Work Day

Posted By tonigm On May 17, 2009 @ 11:36 am In Exercise & Health, Special Events, Transportation | Comments Disabled

 

Photo props to WABA

Photo props to WABA

WABA [1] again did an excellent job with Bike to Work Day [2] in downtown DC on Friday, May 15.  For those of you who aren’t hardcore cyclists, I have to say I recommend this event highly even if you only bike to work one day a year!  A few highlights:

  • Most importantly, the weather held out – perfect temperatures and no raindrops on Freedom Plaza!
  • The food was excellent – bagels and schmears, apples and oranges all nicely quartered, hot coffee and cold tea – and plenty of  it.  Yay, sponsors [3]!
  • The Coast Guard contingent [4]was particularly impressive, led by Admiral Thad Allen [5]
  • A surprise visit by the Secretary of Energy and Nobel Laureate, Stephen Chu [6], who clearly knows his way around a bike.    Here’s hoping he has reversed the insane disincentives to bike to work at the Forrestal Building.
  • Excellent giveaways and raffles; the drawings are the only time during the event that everyone on the plaza pays strict attention.  Again, yay, sponsors [3]!
  • A lot of other speakers (of varying degrees of interest) allowing plenty of time to chat with friends. :)  Amazing who you run into at this thing.  I swear, every year it’s someone else.
  • All kinds of kids, dogs, and bikes; a great opportunity to shop for new gear by talking to folks who already own it.
  • The Tune Ups, always a treat at BtW, did a memorable rendition of Smart Bike Ditty, which I am still humming.  Where’s your website, kids?  I want youtube videos!
  • I didn’t stick around to see Mayor Fenty [7](as I had to, you know, actually bike to work).  Just FYI, the festivities normally run from 8 to 9 am.


Article printed from Washington D.C. Metblogs: http://dc.metblogs.com

URL to article: http://dc.metblogs.com/2009/05/17/highlights-from-bike-to-work-day/

URLs in this post:

[1] WABA: http://www.waba.org

[2] Bike to Work Day: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bike-to-Work_Day

[3] sponsors: http://www.waba.org/events/btwd/index.php

[4] Coast Guard contingent : http://www.flickr.com/photos/uscgpress/3533725307/

[5] Admiral Thad Allen: http://www.uscg.mil/flag/cg00.asp

[6] Stephen Chu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Chu

[7] Mayor Fenty : http://www.dc.gov/mayor/index.shtm

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