Bike Commuters Made a Big Impact on Bike to Work Day

BIKE COMMUTERS MADE A BIG IMPACT ON BIKE TO WORK DAY DRCOG Reports Reduction of More Than a Quarter of a Million Pounds of Carbon Dioxide Emissions July 20, 2015 (Denver, CO) –An impressive number of people commuted via two wheels in the name of health and the environment during the 2015 Bike to Work Day. Some 32,800 people rode their bike into work on June 24. This is a 12 percent increase from last year’s event, said Steve Erickson, Director of Communications and Marketing at the Denver Council of Regional Governments (DRCOG). “We are very pleased with the participation this year,” Erickson said. “It moves us toward the goal of creating more accessible commuting alternatives in the metro-Denver region.” An estimated 9,179 Denver area Bike to Work Day commuters were new participants. Those new participants are likely to make it a more regular habit, according to DRCOG’s follow-up survey. Riders that chose two wheels over four this year pedaled toward better health and air quality. Based on registration survey data, about 57 percent of registered riders and 46 percent of unregistered riders would have driven alone if they had not biked to work. The bicycle miles for the day totaled 603,612—on average, participants rode 9.2 miles, one way, from home to work. Therefore, vehicle miles of travel were reduced by an estimated 316,836 miles on Bike to Work Day. Miles rode this year equated to a reduction of more than a quarter of a million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Why is it important to see growth in Bike to Work Day? While Mother Nature made the afternoon ride home an adventure for many riders in the Denver area the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of those who pedaled to make a difference. Those who participated can take solace knowing that their registration and participation facilitates local bicycle programs. Bike to Work Day registration numbers help support bike advocacy and, as a result, bike infrastructure that impacts the entire region. About Bike to Work Day The Denver Regional Council of Governments’ (DRCOG) Way to Go program coordinates Bike to Work Day through collaboration with its outreach partner organizations, community groups and local cities and counties throughout the metro area. The event is designed to make biking to work easy and fun to try for those who normally drive alone to work. Employers across the region organize teams and local businesses sponsor stations throughout the metro-Denver area to provide support for the bike trip to and from work.