Pedal Your Way to Hacienda On Bike to Work Day

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Four wheeled transportation isn't the only way to get to work. On Thursday, May 15, join thousands of Bay Area commuters as they bike to work or to transit. When you register for Bike to Work Day at www.511.org, you'll be eligible to win prizes that include a $750 gift certificate to a local bike shop. Other prizes are being donated by the Blue & Gold Fleet, Birkenstock, and Timbuk2.

Bike to Work Day is an annual celebration of bicycling as transportation. The event is a collaborative effort of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), RIDES for Bay Area Commuters, local bicycle coalitions and hundreds of volunteers. Fun local events are being planned for the days and weeks leading up to Bike to Work Day and Energizer Stations will offer refreshments and encouragement to bicyclists on the morning of Bike to Work Day. If you can't bike all the way to work, consider biking to transit. Most Bay Area transit carriers have bike facilities, such as lockers or bike racks.

Hacienda's Energizer station, can be found outside the Dublin/Pleasanton BART turnstiles on Thursday, May 15 from 7:00 - 9:00 am. Co-sponsored by Hacienda Business Park, the City of Pleasanton, and Dublin Cycles, the Hacienda Energizer station will provide snacks, beverages, and special recognition for Bike to Work Day participants.

"MTC has taken the lead as the regional coordinator for Bike to Work Day in working with the Bike to Work Day technical advisory committee, regional coalitions, grassroots organizations, and the general public to promote and implement the event," says Mark Ashby, project manager for the MTC's regional Rideshare program. The Regional Rideshare Program, which is administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has been responsible for hosting Bike to Work Day since 1995. The event itself has continued to grow each year. Last year, there were an estimated 50,000 participants.

RIDES for Bay Area Commuters at www.rides.org can help you with every facet of your bike commute. There, you'll find information about maps and route planning, safety, transit, bicycle parking at work, commuter benefits, Bay Area bike organizations, clubs, bike shops, the Bike Buddy program, advocacy groups, and state organizations. In the near future, MTC's new www.511.org transportation information website plans on including an abundance of cycling information as well.

For additional details about Bike to Work Day go to www.511.org or call the new transportation information phone number: 511.

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