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.