On Friday, May 15, Arlington County and the greater DC region celebrated the 25th anniversary of Bike to Work Day (BTWD). Held annually during National Bike Month, this beloved event encourages commuters to try biking as a healthy, sustainable, and energizing way to get to the office, while also celebrating the arrival of warmer weather.
Bike to Work Day stands as one of the region’s most popular commuting events, and this year was no exception. More than 1,774 commuters stopped by Arlington’s seven pit stop locations, joining thousands of participants from across the region. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with community partners and vendors, receive free giveaways such as T-shirts and biking resources, and enjoy refreshments while starting the day alongside fellow cyclists.
.jpg?width=825&height=619&name=Image%20(11).jpg)
A Growing Tradition
Bike to Work Day traces its national roots back to 1956, when the League of American Bicyclists launched the initiative. The DMV region began hosting the event in 2001, and it has grown dramatically since then, from just a few hundred participants in its early years to over ten thousand riders today.
The event is organized regionally by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), with assistance in Arlington from organizations such as BikeArlington. Together, these partners continue to make BTWD an engaging and accessible experience, offering opportunities for commuters to join group rides, explore bike-friendly routes, and incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.
Bike to Work Day by the Numbers
This year, Bike to Work Day saw strong participation across Arlington County, with more than 1,700 commuters visiting the county’s seven pit stops. Rosslyn and Ballston once again emerged as the most popular locations, drawing large crowds of enthusiastic riders throughout the morning.
Arlington Pit Stops
-
Ballston at Welburn Square: 518
-
Rosslyn at Gateway Park: 535
-
Columbia Pike at Penrose Square: 153
-
National Landing at Water Park: 303
-
HQ National Guard: 58
-
Amazon/Met Park (afternoon): 117
-
Langston Blvd (afternoon): 90
Highlights from This Year
There was plenty to celebrate at this year’s event. Arlington was home to seven pit stop locations, including the return of the Penrose Square location along Columbia Pike, which re-opened after a hiatus due to construction. Its comeback was a welcome addition for commuters in South Arlington. Another highlight was the afternoon pit stops hosted by Amazon and the Langston Blvd. Alliance at Met Park and Langston Blvd. respectively. These afternoon locations were open from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and offered commuters an additional opportunity to take advantage of the event.
In total, 40 tabling partners participated in pit stops, including organizations such as Conte’s Bike Shop and Arlington Transit to name a few. These partners provided valuable resources, information, and giveaways helping attendees learn more about biking infrastructure, transit connections, and commuting options throughout the county. The event created a vibrant environment for building community connections and supporting sustainable transportation.
Keep the Momentum Going with ATP
While Bike to Work Day may be over for this year, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate National Bike Month and continue exploring active commuting options. Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) is here to help individual commuters and organizations make biking part of their everyday routine.
ATP offers customized commute planning services, helping commuters identify the best routes and discover how biking and other active modes can fit seamlessly into their daily lives. Additionally, programs like Capital Bikeshare Corporate Memberships make it easy for commuters to get outside, whether for their commute, exercise, or for exploring the region in a fun and environmentally friendly way.
