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BIKE TO WORK WEEK 2010 WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN ON APRIL 3rd 2010.

But... since you are here, take a look around. The information will not change that much.
Be sure to take a look at the Employer and Team Challenge pages before we clear it out for the 2010 competition!

You can link directly to the Bike to Work Home Page via this url: BikeToWork.BIKEIOWA.com





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BIKE MONTH 2010

Bike to Work Week 2010
The 8th Annual Bike to Work Week for Iowa is May 17-21, 2010. This is a statewide recognized event. The Des Moines Metro area is taking it one step further and recognizing the importance of bicycles as transportation the entire month.

Mark your calendars!

Last year, we had over 2,400 people register to ride for Bike to Work Week. We, of course, want to beat that record! New this year, we are encouraging everyone that rides their bike for transportation to register since several people are unable to bike to work, but still use their bike as transportation. Registration for the Bike to Work Challenge will close on May 20, but you can register for Bike Month until May 21.

The purposes of Bike Month Bike Month is to encourage people to try riding their bike for transportation, increase cycling awareness and promote a healthy alternative to driving a car.

This month-long event is nationally recognized and endorsed through the League of American Bicyclists. Iowa's Governor Culver has also endorsed this event by declaring May as "Bike Month"

So what are you waiting for? Register for FREE! We ask people to register to ride for a couple of reasons. First, it helps us know how many cyclists will be commuting and the distance of the commutes. This information is very important as we continue to lobby local, state and federal politicians for bicycle friendly communities. Second, by registering, we can reward folks for their efforts through various prizes. Register now.

Registering does make a difference! We are proving to cities, state officials and other organizations that there is public demand to make cycling better in Iowa! In 2006 the survey results helped pick spots for over 200 bike racks in Des Moines. It aided in getting the first bike lanes in Des Moines.  The successful bike rack program through DART was launched in 2005 after interests from Bike to Work participants in 2004 and 2005. Today there are over 100 bus racks that have been installed with 3,000 riders per month in the cycling season. What can we make happen this year? 

Is there a better time to start commuting? Last year, many people used high gas as a reason to start biking. However, once they discovered the freedom, convenience and fitness benefits of biking, even when gas prices went down, they continued to bike. Burning 500 calories in an hour and reducing one's carbon footprint are two great reasons to get on that bike.
Has there ever been a better time to use your bike as transportation? For 2009, we had several comments that people did not register for Bike to Work Week because they did not work, or they worked from home, went to school, were retired, but we encouraged them to be counted because they used their bikes for transportation in other ways. This year we want to recognize those people and those registered in 2008 that used high gas as a reason to start biking. However, once they discovered the freedom, convenience and fitness benefits of biking, even when gas prices went down, they continued to bike. Burning 500 calories in an hour and reducing one's carbon footprint are two great reasons to get on that bike.
Keep an eye on the latest Bike to Work Week Updates.

Bike to Work Day is a project of the Des Moines Bike Collective, Iowa Bicycle Coalition, BIKEIOWA.com, The Des Moines Parks & Recreation, The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), and a bunch of passionate volunteers!

Thanks to the Sponsors, the volunteers and everyone else who makes this event a Great Success!