ALX Commuters Gear Up for Bike to Work Day on May 17

Alexandria, VA – Tune up that bicycle. Make sure your helmet fits properly. Because the big day is almost here.

Bike to Work Day rolls around on May 17 and thousands of commuters are expected to participate in this annual free bikefest all across the DMV.

Alexandria is setting up 7 pit stops around the city where riders can stop to pick up free t-shirts, grab a cup of coffee and a croissant, load up on swag, and win raffle prizes. If your bike breaks down or you need a quick repair, Handy Bikes will do it for free at John Carlyle Square Park. Two stages will go up at Market Square and John Carlyle Square Park and will feature a live DJ and appearances by Mayor Justin Wilson, city leaders, and bike organization heads. There are over 100 pit stops in Virginia, DC, and Maryland.

Many bicyclists in our city already commute to work by bicycle most days. Ken Notis is one of them. He is chair of Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and when he’s not working from home, he hops on his bike and cycles ten miles to his Washington, DC office. His first bike commute was on Bike to Work Day 2013. That’s when he began to switch from Metro to bicycle to commute.

“I switched because biking was about as fast as transit, more pleasant, and because it made me physically and mentally healthier,” Notis recalled.

Register here for Bike to Work Day to get your free t-shirt and other goodies, available May 17 at Market Square, John Carlyle Square Park, Del Ray at Colasanto Park, Eisenhower Square, Fairlington Centre, and Mark Center. National Landing will erect a pit stop in the afternoon for your return commute.

Working from home? No problem! You can still bike to your favorite pit stops, pick up your free t-shirt and bike raffle, and then turn around and bike home.

Zebra will spread out on May 17, covering the Alexandria pit stops. We’ll bring you full coverage of the day’s events.

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