Celebrate the benefits of commuting by bike with Bike to Work Day
Have you ever made the commute downtown on two wheels? Tomorrow may be your day to make it happen, because rides have been organized throughout the metro to support National Bike to Work Day on May 21st.
This day, celebrated annually, began with the League of American Bicyclists in 1956 as part of Bike-to-Work Week. It encourages individuals to see biking as a feasible means of transportation, promoting commuting by bike as a healthy and sustainable way to get between home and the office. With many individuals living only a few miles away from their workplace, there is little need for automobile transport. Biking offers a way to save on gas, protect the environment, reduce traffic congestion, and care for your personal health and wellbeing.
Since 2005, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) has been supporting Bike to Work Day throughout the metro. Last year’s Bike to Work Day event in OKC was cancelled due to the pandemic, but this year is expected to have a positive turnout. According to ACOG’s Associate Transportation Planner, Jordan Evans, they support the event each year to “try to get more recognition of the benefits of commuting by bike for health, the local economy, and the environment.” He also said, “it’s a great way to exercise and enjoy your city.” With a city like ours, which recently received recognition as the top city in the country for public art, getting on the bike should be an easy sell.
How can you participate in Bike to Work Day this year?
If you are interested in joining a group ride that ends at the celebration in Bicentennial Park in downtown OKC, consider meeting up with one of the already organized groups:
- Mesta Park |Meet at the amphitheater at 7:40 AM, led by Ride OKC
- Plaza District | Meet in front of Bad Grannies at 7:30 AM, led by Spokies
- Moore | Meet at The Station at Central Park at 6:45 AM, led by Oklahoma Bicycle Society
- Stars & Stripes Park | Meet at the South Parking lot at 7 AM, led by Oklahoma Bicycle Society
- Oliver Park | Meet at the South Parking lor R 7:30 am, led by Oklahoma Bicycle Society
The celebration in Bicentennial Park will last from 7 AM-9 AM and attendees are welcome to enjoy complimentary coffee from Junction Coffee, courtesy of Downtown OKC Partnership. There will also be an opportunity for individuals to compete in the “Slowest Bike Race” led by Ride OKC. During the race, individuals must make their way across the course at the slowest speed possible, without moving backwards. It’s a fun competition for balance savvy individuals and those working on their track stand skills, but anyone is welcome to participate.
See the ASTEC Charter Schools S.T.E.A.M. class bike-inspired art exhibition
Acrylic paint and road maps were used in the bicycle-inspired abstract art
ASTEC Charter Schools’ Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) Art class, taught by Mr. Tracy Wilmes, created a series of abstract paintings of bikes, composed of acrylic paint overlayed on road maps donated by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.
Through direct observation, they discussed the functionality and importance of each component of the four basic styles of bicycles - road, trail, cruiser and BMX bicycles. The class discussed the gears, how to calculate the number of speeds on a bicycle and a bicycle’s ergonomics for a race or a ride (Tour de France vs Ragbrai). Scholars considered many of the differences and similarities between the bicycles such as weight and thickness of the frame, caliper brakes, width of tires, riding styles of a bicycle, and their terrain.
They drew bicycles and simplified the details to create abstractions. Acrylic paint and various road maps were used, which provided students with an introduction to geography, enhanced their understanding of kinetic energy, and allowed them to explore a new form of art-making.
An exhibition of the work will be held on Friday in the windows of the Junction Coffee bus during the Bike to Work Day event in Bicentennial Park.
In addition to Oklahoma City’s event, the cities of Del City, Edmond, Guthrie, Norman, Piedmont, and Yukon are each hosting organized rides.
Want to learn more about biking in Oklahoma City? Check out this interview with Tammy Fate or this story, which covers all the details you need to know to enjoy the sport in our community.
Bike to Work Day has been made possible through a collaboration between the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, The City of Oklahoma City, Downtown OKC, Ride OKC, Spokies, and the Oklahoma Bicycle Society.
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