Biking To Work

It's been one of our fantasies to ride the bike to work in Washington one day. We've never been able to plot out a reasonably safe route (we so hoped the great transportation minds would have found a way when they rebuilt Rte 29 but apparently not).

We're currently strategizing about how we might bike over to the commuter rail station; anyone do that? Or we might try one nice spring to day bike half way from the Beltway in, if we can figure where to leave the car in peace. Anyway, we were reminded about our quest when we saw this announcement from the county:

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Ken Ulman will kick off the County’s first-ever “Bike to Work Day” on Friday, May 16 at 7 a.m. at The Mall in Columbia adjacent to the Howard Transit Bus Stop (upper level near Sears Service Center). The annual event kicks off May as Clean Commute Month in the Baltimore Region. Howard County’s “Bike to Work Day” will run in tandem with events in Baltimore, Towson, Annapolis and Bel Air.

“May is the beginning of the ground-level ozone season,” said Executive Ulman. “Ground-level ozone has a detrimental effect on everyone’s health, particularly children, senior citizens and individuals with chronic health conditions. Bicycle commuting is a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work and it helps to improve the air that we breathe.”

“Bike to Work Day” festivities will begin at 7 a.m. and run until 8 a.m. Executive Ulman will be at the opening ceremonies and make time in his morning schedule to bike an abbreviated route to highlight the importance of the day and promote bicycling as a healthy alternative to drive-alone commuting and a great way to help the environment.

Howard County Health Officer Dr. Peter Beilenson and Director of Planning and Zoning Marsha McLaughlin will be there to speak about the benefits of a healthy and clean commute. Also, Robert Anderson, Vice President of Integrated Products at Nemetschek North America in Columbia, who bikes to work on a regular basis, will share his experiences with bicycle commuting. In addition, Princeton Sports of Columbia will provide information on bicycle maintenance and provide assistance during the event.

"We are working with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and our neighboring jurisdictions to identify worthy bike route projects for inclusion in the Baltimore Regional Transportation Plan. These projects will improve connections to other parts of our region and the State and provide a safer and more enjoyable ride for individuals who bike to work, as well as for those who ride for recreation," said Marsha McLaughlin.

All registered participants should stop by The Mall on their way to work that morning to pick up their “Bike to Work Day” shirts and hats. In addition, there will be a drawing for prizes and one lucky winner from the region will win a bicycle tour for two on the C&O Canal/Great Allegheny Passage.

For more information or to register, please visit www.bike2workcentralmd.com or visit www.howardcommutersolutions.com for detailed event information.