DENVER — Thousands are expected to trade their keys for a helmet during the 29th annual Bike to Work Day on Wednesday, June 26.
Most of the country honors Bike to Work Day in May, but because of Colorado's unpredictable weather, the state legislature moved Bike to Work Day to June as part of Bike Month. The event always falls on the fourth Wednesday of June.
Last year, nearly 36,000 riders participated in what's aimed at introducing people to biking in a supportive and celebratory environment. The number of Bike to Work Day participants has risen steadily since 1995, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and due to the popularity of bicycling in Colorado, that trend is expected to continue this year.
PHOTOS: Bike to Work Day 2019
How do I register?
You don't have to register to ride your bike to work but you'll be eligible for prizes if you do. You could score a Bluetooth speaker, concert tickets to Red Rocks or Fiddler's Green or a Londonderry FattE-bike. There is no cost to register.
Click or tap here for a full list of all the cities and towns that are participating around the state.
REGISTER | Bike to Work Day 2019
What happens on the day?
Outside of the fact that you're breathing in the fresh air for your commute to work, there's fun to be had on your cycling journey. There are stations set up in more than 25 Colorado cities that provide a host of freebies! Just a quick check of the Bike to Work website shows in Denver, there are dozens of stations.
FIND A STATION | Locations near you
Colorado is second in the country for the number of people who participate in Bike to Work Day. The event is organized by Way to Go, a program of the Denver Regional Council of Governments.
According to organizers, during Bike to Work Day in 2018, an estimated 35,277 riders traveled 623,705 miles – or 25 times around planet Earth.
Check your bike before you ride
Take a look at your bike, especially if you haven't ridden recently. Tires should be inflated, the seat should fit your body, make sure the brakes and chains are working and bring a flat tire repair kit.
Tips for riding safely
- Always wear a helmet.
- Always signal when riding on the road.
- Be alert.
- Make eye contact with drivers.
- Leave room for right-turning vehicles when stopped at a red light.
- Be visible! Wear bright colors during the day and white or reflective clothing at night.
- Cross railroad tracks perpendicularly to prevent catching a wheel and falling.
- Give an audible signal when you pass a pedestrian or someone traveling more slowly than you are, whether you are on the street or a path.
- Respect and be considerate of other road, path and trail users.
- Check with the city or county where you habitually ride about additional local biking ordinances.
This history of Bike to Work Day
The City of Boulder first celebrated Bike to Work Day in 1977. CDOT then began promoting it statewide, and in 1995 the Denver Regional Council of Governments began helping the area's cities and counties link their individual events together.
Reasons to ride
The Denver metro region has more than 1,600 miles of shared-use paths, over 515 miles of roadways with bike lanes and over 360 miles of roadways identified as bike routes. Here are some benefits to ditching your car for a bike ride.
- Staying fit
- Reducing your carbon footprint
- Saving money
- Avoiding traffic delays
- Starting your day energized, de-stressed and refreshed
Pack your playlist
Whether you have a speaker on your bike or just want some motivation before you hit the road, here's your Bike to Work Day playlist:
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