National Bike to Work Day

When: Friday, May 15, 8 am

Where: City Hall Park, corner of Chambers Street and Centre Street

What: Press conference at one of Transportation Alternatives' bike commuter support stations, bike commuter ride escorted by NYC Department of Transportation

Who: Transportation Alternatives, NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, hundreds of bike commuters

This Friday is National Bike to Work Day, when cities across the country will be encouraging commuters to switch their commutes to bicycle. There are 2 million bike commuters nationally, with 185,000 daily riders right here in NYC. To support novice bike commuters and reward veteran riders, Transportation Alternatives will be handing out coffee, snacks and commuter bags on four East River Bridges as well as at City Hall Park and Madison Square. T.A. will be educating bicyclists about civic riding on NYC streets, and helping riders team up with buddies who share their commute.

This year, the NYC Department of Transportation will be leading an escorted ride for bike commuters from Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza to Midtown Manhattan. Lead by DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, the ride will stop at T.A.'s City Hall bike commuter support station, where bike commuters from across the city will gather to celebrate National Bike to Work Day at a press conference.

Bicycling is New York City's fastest-growing mode of transportation, with bike commuting growing 35% between 2007 and 2008. National Bike to Work Day is part of Bike Month NYC. www.bikemonthnyc.org

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