May is Bike Month

Ride just five days in May and you could be eligible for great prizes.  If you’re new to bike commuting, there’s lots of support to help you get rolling.  Listen to what King County employees have to say and hit the trails.

You can participate in Bike Month in any of the following ways.  You may choose to do them all, or just one or two.  It’s up to you.

1. Join the Group Health Commute Challenge and either challenge yourself to try bike commuting or test your strength as a regular bike commuter by logging more miles.  You may ride as an individual or form a team of 4-10 members.  Several county teams are already registered.  Just ten trips, five round-trip commutes, makes you eligible for prizes.  Last year almost 200 King County employees participated on 27 teams riding more than 22,000 miles in a month.

2. Participate in Bike to Work Day on May 20th.  On this day, Cascade Bicycle Club counts the number of commuters.  This number has become the default indicator for the number of local bike commuters and helps secure support for bike lanes and regional bike resources.  Throughout the Puget Sound region there will be morning commute stations to cheer on riders, provide goodies (water bottles and snacks) and count bikes.  Some stations will have mechanical support – check the web site for resources.  At 7:30 a.m. join Mayor Mike McGinn for a rally on the Plaza of City Hall.  Free bike maps, coffee and goodies will be provided.

3.  Register as a May bike commuter with the King County Employee Transportation Program and be eligible for a drawing of 20 prizes just for King County employees including REI gift cards, commute mugs and tote bags.  Prizes are donated as part of a grant to encourage alternatives to single occupancy car commutes.

If you’re new to bike commuting, there’s lots of support to help you get rolling.  Hear what King County employees have to say about why they love riding.  Then visit our bike resources web page for route maps, rules of the road and tips to ride well.

This May, we’re rolling.  Saddle up and join us.

For more information on Bike Month and bike resources, visit the website or call 206-205-5017.