City of Richmond Bicycle Commuter Challenge

Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Commission invites the city of Richmond to participate in National Bike Month 2012 in May. The Mayor’s Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Commission and the City’s Bicycle Coordinator Jakob Helmboldt are leading the city’s first Bicycle Commuter Challenge to introduce Richmonders to the benefits and pleasures of commuting by bicycle. Mayor Jones established the Commission in May of 2010 to give advice on ways to incorporate bicycling and walking as viable methods of transportation in the city.

“The Bicycle Commuter Challenge is a great way to encourage our residents and local businesses to engage in healthy activities,” said Mayor Jones. “For those that are cyclist, National Bike Month presents an opportunity for Richmond to be a central resource displaying the benefits of physical activity to increase the health of our city.”

Mayor Jones and the Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Commission will celebrate National Bike Month on Friday, May 18, 2012 for the Bike to Work Day rally at Monroe Park. The City’s Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Trails Program has the goal of making Richmond one of the most bicycle and pedestrian-friendly cities in the country.

“This is an opportunity to encourage everyone to give bike commuting a try and possibly make bicycling a routine, healthy travel option for commuting or running errands. National Bike Month will also see the start of many of the City’s infrastructure improvements including widespread bike parking racks and improved bike routes across the city,” says Jakob Helmboldt.

Participants are encouraged to ride their bicycle to and from work, and report the days commuted at the end of the week for the entire month of May. It still counts if a bicycle is used for part of the commute, such as to join a car pool or ride the bus. Participants can register online starting Monday, April 30, and are able to log their weekly commutes at www.riderichmond.net/bike-month-commuter-challenge. All commutes must be reported on the website by Friday, June 8, and the results will be announced by Friday, June 15.