The county’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will host eight pit stops throughout Montgomery County, including downtown Silver Spring and Takoma Park, as part of the region’s participation in “National Bike to Work Day” on Friday, May 17th.
The annual event, held on the third Friday of May across the country, celebrates bicycling as a fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly commute method.
The free pit stop events, which will be held at varying times throughout the day, offer refreshments, music, local vendor displays, and a chance to win free raffle prizes, including at least one new bike at each MCDOT-sponsored location. Both commuters and leisure riders are encouraged to participate.
In addition to the eight MCDOT pit stops, eight additional Bike to Work Day pit stops will be operated by other organizations within the county.
Commuter Connections, the regional network of transportation organizations including MCDOT, and D.C.-based advocacy group Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) are co-organizers of the region’s Bike to Work Day event.
“Biking to work or to run errands is a healthy form of transportation that also helps to get cars off the road and reduce air pollution,” said County Executive Marc Elrich in a press release. “To encourage more residents to use bicycles and to help them ride safely, we continue to invest in more bike paths and dedicated bike lanes throughout the County. Currently, cyclists can extend their commuting options with a way to transport their bikes on all Ride On buses, Metrobus, Metrorail and MARC trains. You can give it a try on Bike to Work Day and learn more about biking as an alternate mode of transportation.”
The MCDOT-sponsored pit stops will be located at:
- Downtown Bethesda (6:30-8:30 a.m.)
- Friendship Heights (6:30-9 a.m.)
- BlackRock Center for the Arts, Germantown (7:30-9:30 a.m.)
- Pike and Rose, North Bethesda (6:30-8:30 a.m.)
- Fallsgrove, Rockville (6:30-9 a.m.)
- Rockville Town Square (6:30-9 a.m.)
- Downtown Silver Spring (6:30-9 a.m.)
- Downtown Wheaton (7-9 a.m.)
Additional pit stops within Montgomery County will be located at:
- Main Street Pavillion, Gaithersburg (7-9 a.m.)
- Olde Towne Plaza, Gaithersburg (4-6 p.m.)
- National Institutes of Health, Bethesda (7-9:30 a.m.)
- Rockville at Twinbrook (7-9 a.m.)
- Downtown/Old Takoma, Takoma Park (6:30-9 a.m.)
- Takoma Park – Langley Crossroads (6:30-9 a.m.)
- Sligo Creek Trail, Takoma Park (7-9:30 a.m.)
“This is a fun event to recognize the health and environmental benefits of biking,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “It is a great way to get exercise and meet your neighbors. The events are open to everyone, of all ages and ability, and we’re pleased to be able to add a new pit stop in Germantown this year.”
Bike to Work Day riders can sign up online to get a free T-shirt and enter a raffle for a new bike. Although registration is recommended, it is not mandatory. Participants should use the Find Your Pit Stop Map to plan their route and wear helmets for safety.
To learn more, including a full list of regional pit stops and registration information, visit biketoworkmetrodc.org.
Photo: © Halfpoint – stock.adobe.com