Bike To Work Day was Friday, May 20, and from 8am-10am, hundreds of Philadelphians were cheered on as they rode past, and stopped at, the Bicycle Coalition’s five Energizer stations.
Who else is biking to work tomorrow!? #BikeToWorkPHL https://t.co/xsDS0pRFgd
— Connor Barwin (@ConnorBarwin98) May 19, 2016
They received free coffee, Kind bars, and other cool swag from the Bicycle Coalition, our sponsors, and dozens of enthusiastic volunteers.
Around 9:30, a group ride began from the Penn Museum in West Philadelphia, to Dilworth Park in Center City. The group ride was joined by cyclists from Meredith Elementary School, members of Gearing Up Philadelphia, and others, for a celebration at Dilworth.
While there, Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Sarah Clark Stuart talked up bicycling in Philadelphia – including some of the work that still needs to be done – and gave out the Bicycle Coalition’s “Bike-Phriendly Business” awards to Project H.O.M.E. and Ticketleap, both of whom have programs in place to encourage their employees to bike to work.
After the awards were given out, Stuart handed the podium over to the Councilpeople in attendance, Bobby Henon, Helen Gym, and Alan Domb.
Henon’s 6th District in Northeast Philadelphia will be getting the city’s first parking-protected bike lane this summer.
Gym spoke up about the importance of bicycling, and creating safe spaces for city residents to transport themselves.
Helen Gym speaks at Bike To Work Day
She later took to Twitter to emphasize that point.
Biking is political. We need to be talking about #equity, esp for the 30% of Phila w/o transit access. @bcgp #BiketoWorkDay2016 @BobbyHenon
— Helen Gym (@HelenGymAtLarge) May 20, 2016
Domb then spoke of the need to keep “millenials” (many of whom bike) in the city to continue growing our population.
After a brief pause, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney came down from his office to talk about bicycling in Philadelphia.
He posed for lots and lots of pictures, too.
Thanks to everyone who biked, and supported, Bike To Work Day. It was a very successful, and fun, day. Now, it’s time to make everyday Bike To Work Day.