The Denver Regional Council of Governments crunches the numbers on the thousands who came out for the metro area’s Bike to Work Day. The new-rider number is particularly impressive.
This year’s Bike to Work Day highlights include:
- Thirty-seven percent of riders were first-time participants
- 718 businesses and organizations participated in the Business Challenge
- 307 breakfast, water, and evening stations
- Average one-way commute was 8.9 miles
- 265 tons of CO2 saved
- 38 million calories burned
“On Bike to Work Day, we create a fun and supportive environment encouraging people to try bike commuting, many of them for the first time. This year, tens of thousands of riders experienced a healthier, happier and less costly trip, and our hope is they’ll continue to bicycle at least part of time in the future,” said Steve Erickson, communications and marketing director for the Denver Regional Council of Governments.
Biking is now the fastest growing mode of transportation in the region. In a 2016 Bike to Work Day follow-up survey, 38 percent of participants reported continuing to bike for commutes and other trips after the event.
Bike to Work Day is an annual event of Denver Regional Council of Governments’ Way to Go program. In partnership with seven transportation demand management associations, Way to Go promotes commute choices other than driving alone to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.