Every year, thousands of commuters from around the Washington region pledge to travel to work by bike, and to support their local community at one of several hundred pit stops. This year there will be a total of seven morning pit stops and three afternoon locations in Arlington County for riders to enjoy.
Take a peek at all the reasons you should sign up for Bike to Work Day in Arlington, Virginia.
1. Jump Start Your Morning
There’s nothing quite like waking up and hitting the trails before daybreak. By the time you’ve arrived at the office, you will have already achieved so much by working out, mingling with the local community, and picking up great prizes.
If you’re truly not a morning person but would like to join in the Bike to Work Day festivities, there will be afternoon happy hours held at Heavy Seas Alehouse in Rosslyn, New District Brewing Company in Shirlington, and a new afternoon pit stop at Gravelly Point.
2. Celebrate National Bike Month
May is National Bike Month, when we celebrate one of the greenest, healthiest, and most fun ways to get around.
Whether you’re an experienced or a new rider, celebrate the joys of biking throughout the month by connecting with your local bike community, then learn a new route or take a friend for their first ride on Bike to Work Day.
3. Stop by Gravelly Point’s Pit Stop
Last December, a new Capital Bikeshare station was installed at Gravelly Point outside of Crystal City; this year, the National Park Service will host their first Bike to Work Day pit stop at the park.
The Mount Vernon Trail stretches 18 miles from Theodore Roosevelt Island to the Mount Vernon estate in Alexandria, and every day, hundreds of people use the trail to get home or to work. On a cold, wet morning this past February, 235 people came out for Winter Bike to Work Day at Gravelly Point. Imagine how many more people enjoy this scenic trail in sunny weather.
Check out this pit stop if you love your local trails and want to learn about ongoing preservation efforts.
4. Practice a New Route
There are practical reasons to participate in Bike to Work Day. This summer, six stations on the Blue and Yellow Lines south of Reagan National Airport will be closed to allow for major platform improvements.
For those considering a bike commute during the Metrorail disruptions (or year-round for that matter), this is the perfect day to practice your new route and plug into the local bike community. Mark your maps, do a trial ride, and meet people who can help you plan and prepare to get to work by bike.
5. Pick Up Fun Goodies
I like to call Bike to Work Day “trick-or-treat for grownups in May, but on bikes.” It might be wordy, but it describes the most fun part about Bike to Work Day. Every pit stop will be host to vendors and local businesses giving away samples and swag.
Be one of the first 20,000 people to register region-wide and pick up this year’s edition of the legendary Bike to Work Day t-shirt at your pit stop.
Register Today
Whether your commute will take you through miles on the open trail or just a few city blocks, Bike to Work Day is great fun for all who participate. Find your local pit stop and register to be a part of this great event.
Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/Kittner.com for Arlington Transportation Partners