National Bike to Work Day this Friday, May 20th, Philly!

Get ready to start your engine… Get your bikes ready!

This Friday, May 20th is National Bike to Work Day (a highlight of May being Bike Month!).  I encourage all you to get on board at America’s #1 bike-commuting city (Philly, silly!) before the North-South Bike lanes begin in Philly next month!

Events kick off at 8 AM on Friday – Join Mayor Nutter, Rep. Bob Brady and Rep. Chaka Fattah at the footsteps of the Art Museum to get a group photo and bike to Dilworth Plaza, where Mayor Nutter will speak.

If you’re feeling challenged, the Bicycling Coalition of Greater Philadelphia’s 2011 Commuter Challenge starts Friday and goes through the summer. Competing co-workers can log their miles to compete with other companies – with winners being announced in August so they can Bike Philly for free! Go Sign up here.

“But I have nothing to wear!” The Frisky has some suggestions for you (I personally have the Giro Skyla helmet, fyi!)

Still not convinced? What about this stat (based off of Bike Coalition’s point that  50% of the US population commutes less than 5 miles to work, but 82% of car trips are made within 5 miles):

Light Cycling burns 35-42 cals per mile (150 lbs) = 175 miles burned/5 miles

Driving a Car for 5 miles burns apprx  (132 cals per hour/145 LB person) = 33 calories for 15 minutes/half hour

So get skinny, healthy, and happy by biking. Starting Friday, of course. (or today if you want…)

Posted by Julie

Photos courtesy of Streetsblog NY & Philly’s Bike Coalition

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher