Bike to Work Day History

Starting May 2003, The Des Moines Trails Committee, Avoid The Rush and BIKEIOWA.com joined forces and decided to host 'Bike To Work Day' in Iowa.

With the help of many sponsors, volunteers, Bike Shops, and other organizations, Bike To Work Day is now a full-fledged "Bike to Work Week" with cycling relation events each day of the week The event is promoted state-wide with many employers and government agencies participating.

For years, May has always been Bike To Work month. Many cities around the United States and the world celebrate cycling with different activities that encourage people to enjoy bicycling more.This not only rewards those who regularly bicycle, but it encourages first-timers to give it a chance. Also, by collecting so many individuals together at once, it underscores the seriousness of bicycling as a realistic way to get around and promotes it through exposure in the media.

See how we have grown over the years.

2007

"Bike To Work Week" reached new heights with 1,436 cyclists registering for "Bike To Work" that week. We had a great group of sponsors and volunteers that made this year grow by almost two-fold. The "word" got out to lots of new cyclists, and Bike To Work Week events were held all over the state!.

Events were held from May 13-19th. Friday, May 18th was The official Bike To Work Day, and definitley the most prominent event of the week. It was amazing to see all the commuters that day! KUDOS to the media for promoting the events. View a complete 2007 Event List here.

• 448 1st time Commuters registered and $1000 in prizes were given out to preregistered commuters.
• 562 Employers and 160 Team were represented.
• 11,932 commuting miles were made by bicycle during the week thus saving 663 gallons of gasoline.
• Over $2,048 was saved during Bike To Work Week by not purchasing fuel.
• Average price for a gallon of gas was $3.09.
• 15 Staging Locations were held all over the state to aid new commuters and for the camaraderie of riding in a group to work.
• 9 FREE Shower locations were offered
• 2 FREE breakfast stops
• Iowa City and Coralville also held Bike To Work Week activities like Breakfasts, tune-up rides, bike rally, commuter challenge and more! www.cicbikeweek.org

The Week in Photos
Early May - Misc Promotions getting ready for BTWW
Sat Packet Pick-up | BTWW Cyclo de Mayo Poker Rally | Pimp My Ride
Sun LIVESTRONG Ride
Mon Bike with Bosewell
Tue Celebrity Bike, Bus & Car Challenge
Wed Ride of Silence
Fri BTW - Des Moines & Iowa City | BTW Ames | Bike To School

2006

"Bike To Work Week" included many new events to promote Iowa cycling! 818 cyclists registered for "Bike To Work" the week of May 13-19th.  Over 220 1st time Commuters registered and $800 in prizes were given out to preregistered commuters

6,504 commuting miles were made by bicycle during the week thus saving 361 gallons of gasoline. Over $1000 was saved during Bike To Work Week by not purchasing fuel.

Here is a list of the events:

• Sat - a gorgeous morning for Packet Pick-up at the Farmer's market
• Sun - Bike To Worship
• Mon - In the morning we Biked to Work with Congressman Boswell and after work there was a Rack-n-Roll Bike Rack Unveiling in the East Village
• Tue - A Celebrity Bike, Bus & Car Challenge was held to see if a bus, bike or car would reach work first!
• Wed - The Ride of Silence had record turnout. This was a great event to remember those who have gotten killed or injured while riding a bicycle.
• Thu - A laid back atmosphere to meet other cyclists at Handlebar Happy Hour was held at Romeo's on the River and an Omnium Race was held at Waterworks Park that afternoon as was a  Women's Bike Demo Day  in Ankeny at Bike Country.
• Fri - The official Bike To Work Day! Over 800 cyclists commuted! 18 Staging Locations were held all over the state as was free breakfasts and showers. Iowa City and Coralville also held Bike To Work Week activities like Breakfasts, tune-up rides, bike rally, commuter challenge and more! www.cicbikeweek.org

View pictures from "Bike To Work Week" 2006
Sat | Mon am | Mon pm | Tue | Wed | Thu #1 | Thu #2 | Fri

2005

"Bike To Work Day" morphed to "Bike To Work Week" in 2005 as 559 cyclists registered for "Bike To Work" the week of May 14-20th.  The week kicked off on Saturday, May 14th with a packet pick-up  and promotions at the Farmer's Market,  Bike To Worship for Sunday, 9 Mayors Proclamation took place on Monday, A trail Clean-up on the Bill Riley Trails followed by Handle-Bar Happy Hour at Orlandos on Tuesday, Bike Rack unveiling in East Village followed by the Ride of Silence and a Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday, Thursday it was "Bike To the Ball Game" to watch an Iowa Cubs game. Friday "the Big Day" was the official "Bike To Work Day" with 13 Staging Locations, 2 breakfast locations, Free showers downtown and a big after work party with live music called the "Tour De Metro" was held to celebrate another Bike To Work Week in Iowa.

The event gained more recognition as the Transportation Management Association (TMA) adopted the event as part of their alternative transportation program. The MTA gave out free bus passes. Free registration was provided online. The 1st 500 participants received a free "Bike To Work" water bottle and a chance at $500 in Bike Bucks to be used at the local bike shops. 

View pictures from "Bike To Work Week" 2005

2004

2004 was a great success!. More media coverage increased the event's presence. 573 cyclists registered from all over Iowa and many more employer's participated.

View pictures from last year's Bike To Work Day

2003
Free registration was provided online. 501 cyclists registered from all over Iowa. The 1st 300 participants received a free Bike To Work shirt. Registration included, a small survey to help better understand the cycling needs and wants. Once registered, you became eligible for a recumbent bicycle provided by Bill's Cyclery.

Free breakfast was offered at the downtown YMCA who also offered free showers to those who commuted.

Bike To Work Day has expanded to Bike To Work Week and with hopes of future success,  maybe "Bike Month" in a couple of years? We'll see! 

The vision for Bike Week is to fill it with new events and sponsors each year as resources permit and enthusiasm directs.