Across the country, bike commuting grew 62% from 2000 to 2014. Washington, DC is among the top ten cities for bike commuters with over 13,000 in 2014 (an increase of 124% from 2005) according to the League of American Bicyclists. As the annual Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day (both of which fall right in the middle of Bike Month) is upon us, the Center for Total Health team hit the streets for a mid-day bike break.
Bike commuting isn’t for everyone – some people may not have access to a bike, may not feel comfortable riding on city streets, or may simply work too far from home. However, for those who are able and interested, DC’s Capital Bikeshare provides an affordable opportunity to access bikes. Since arriving in DC in 2008 (as SmartBike DC), Capital Bikeshare has become increasingly popular. In the past six years, Capital Bikeshare has grown from 114 to 378 stations, with a total of 12.8 million trips as of April 2016. This system has undoubtedly contributed to the increase of bike commuting in Washington, DC and across the region.
In honor of Bike to Work Day, our team took a mid-day break to Bike to Lunch together. If biking isn’t for you, consider commuting on foot to celebrate active transportation and build exercise into your day. And please, don’t forget a helmet if you’re getting on a bike today. After all, bike helmets are the new seatbelt.
