Thousands of people are expected to do their commute on two wheels Thursday, May 8, as the nine-county Bay Area region holds its 20th annual Bike to Work Day (and the East Bay holds its 21st).
UC Berkeley students, staff and faculty — from hard-core cyclists to those merely curious about bicycle commuting — are encouraged to participate as individuals or by joining the Team Bike Challenge , tracking their miles throughout May’s celebration of National Bike Month.
As in past years, energizer stations throughout the region will offer refreshments and biking-related information and giveaways. UC Berkeley cyclists will be hosting two stations, one at the corner of Bancroft and Telegraph, the second at Richmond Bay campus.
Other activities planned for the day include an after-work street party (in Old Oakland from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; RSVP on Facebook ).
Bicyclists can even get their ride blessed by interfaith clergy and spiritual teachers (“agnostics and atheists are welcome; bike bells and cameras are encouraged”). The third annual Blessing of the Bikes takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, in Berkeley’s Civic Center Park.
Registration for Bike to Work Day is not required, but those who choose to register and pledge to ride will be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize, a PUBLIC V1 city bike.
Lawrence Hall of Science and Campus Shared Services are also hosting smaller Bike to Work Day events for staff at those sites.
Related information:
- Bike to Work Day
- Bike East Bay (formerly East Bay Bicycle Coalition)
- UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation bicycling information page