Friday, May 4, 2012
Fairfax County news release on National Bike Month
It's encouraging to see this news release from Fairfax County on National Bike Month:May is National Bike Month 2012
May 4, 2012
Highlights
- Students are encouraged to bike or walk to school on Wednesday, May 9, the first national Bike to School Day.
- Join others in biking to work on Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 18.
- Bikes are allowed on Fairfax Connector buses, and bike lockers are available at three park and ride lots, along with .
This month Fairfax County is encouraging residents and students to get around on two wheels instead of four.
May is Bike Month 2012, and biking to work, school or anyplace else is good for the environment, helps reduces traffic congestion, and benefits public health.
On Wednesday, May 9, students are encouraged to participate in the first national Bike to School Day by biking or walking. Marshall Road Elementary School, among others, will be joining in. Find out more about how to register or participate on the schools’ Bike to School Day page.
County residents also should consider commuting to work by bicycle on Friday, May 18 — Bike to Work Day 2012. There will be nine pit stops in Fairfax County where bike commuters can get free snacks, drinks, bicycle tune-ups. Find the pit stops locations and learn more on the county’s Bike to Work web page.
In Fairfax, .2 percent of residents commute to work by bicycle and 1.8 percent walk, according to 2010 Census estimates.
To encourage more two-wheeled commuting, Fairfax offers financial assistance to employers to create a bike benefit program for workers who commute by bike 80 percent of the time.
Bikes are allowed on Metro trains with some restrictions, and similarly, VRE allows bicycles on trains if they meet certain requirements. For those who want to ride to a train station, bike parking is available at most Metro stations, many VRE stations and the county’s Herndon-Monroe, Reston South and Sunset Hills park and ride lots.
Every Fairfax Connector bus is equipped with a bicycle rack, and there is no cost to bring a bike on board. Metrobuses also offer bike racks on every vehicle.
To plan out your ride, Fairfax created a comprehensive bike map that shows trails and routes countywide.
The county also is developing a bicycle master plan. This plan will guide the county in making improvements both on- and off-road for a more bike friendly community.
For more information about Bike to Work Day, county bike facilities, and maps, call the Fairfax County Department of Transportation at 703-324-BIKE (2453), TTY 711.
Labels: bike month, Fairfax County
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