A record 17,500+ people joined in Bike to Work Day this year. You -- the new and longtime Washington Area bicyclists -- are proof that bicycle commuting is viable, efficient, enjoyable and increasingly mainstream. Thank you for bicycling on May 15 and sending this message just by being you.
All year around, bicyclists are the VIPs of our community. On the day when bicyclists are in the spotlight, we draw attention far and wide. A Cabinet Secretary wanted to join our movement, so we welcomed U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez to our upcoming Mt. Vernon Triangle shop at 440 K St NW.
We learned Sec. Perez is a serious cyclist in real life. He didn't speak from the podium with the microphone, but he was most assuredly there with us. Dressed in cycling gear, the Secretary rolled his bike down the red carpet then spoke informally with bicyclists.
We also received visits from Tommy Wells, Director of the District Department of the Environment; D.C. Councilmember David Grosso; and D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen.
We rolled out the red carpet for you and you looked mahvelous, dahling.
The photographic evidence:
440 K St NW was the place to see and be seen on the red carpet.
More multimedia:
Instagram video from the red carpet
A time-lapse video of Sec. Perez's Bike to Work Day ride to us
Wouldn't it be great if there were more bike lanes and better bicycle infrastructure? We're working on it. Help show strength in numbers and advocate with us.
For starters, please stay up to date with Washington Area Bicyclist Association campaigns and calls to action. Also, we encourage you to get involved in the D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council, a public agency comprised of bicyclists appointed by D.C. elected officials. The council's job is to advise policymakers on legislative matters of interest to bicyclists. The council issues advisory recommendations to improve the transportation system for bicyclists. BicycleSPACE co-owner Erik Kugler is a BAC member appointed by Councilmember Grosso. D.C. residents are invited to attend the council's public meetings and to serve on its committees. The council meets at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at 441 4th St NW.