Over a Thousand Bicyclists Roll Through Alexandria on Bike to Work Day 2026

An abridged version of this story appeared in the June print issue of The Zebra

Alexandria, VA – The morning dawned clear and crisp, a chilly nip in the air uncharacteristic of mid-May. As the sun climbed higher over Alexandria Friday May 15, brilliant blue skies spread overhead, the wind kicked up, and bicyclists bundled in jackets, helmets, and fluorescent gear began rolling into Bike to Work Day pit stops across the city.

Before most Alexandrians had poured their first cup of coffee, volunteers were already bustling about at dawn’s early light, erecting booths, arranging giveaway tables, laying out this year’s trademark t-shirts in heather purple, and brewing hot coffee for the steady stream of cyclists that would soon descend upon Alexandria’s six Bike to Work Day pit stops.

By 6:15 am, John Carlyle Square Park was abuzz with music, motion, and the familiar whir of spinning bicycle wheels as bike commuters, casual riders, and elected officials gathered for the annual regional tradition.

Bike to Work Day 2026 featured more than 100 pit stops throughout Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland. Organized by The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), Commuter Connections, and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), the day-long event encourages commuters to swap four wheels for two while promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

Nicole Radshaw arrived at Carlyle Square at the crack of dawn. She is membership chair for Alexandria Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, tasked with coordinating tables at four of the six city pit stops. She and other BPAC volunteers laid out educational materials and snacks and chatted with bicyclists throughout the morning.

My concerns are safety,” she told Zebra. “I talk about safety, and then I talk about that person who could ride their bike or drive their car. If they’re riding their bike, that’s one less car on the road, and it’s good for the environment, right? Financially bikes do a lot less damage to roads than cars do, so bikes are saving money for the city.”

Some cyclists stopped briefly for coffee and conversation before pedaling off to work. Others mapped out ambitious morning routes designed to hit multiple pit stops before the workday began.

Among them was former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, now executive director of NOVA Parks, who tackled a 40-mile ride along the W&OD Trail Friday morning. Wilson left his Del Ray home at 6:36 am, stopping first at the Del Ray pit stop. He then cycled to the W&OD trail in Shirlington, hitting up five of the six NOVA Parks Bike to Work Day pit stops stretching all the way from Arlington to near Leesburg, traversing three counties.

“Biking is a wonderful way to start the day every morning. You know, I changed careers last October, and now my office is in Fairfax Station. I have to admit it’s a lot harder to bike there, a lot less safe. So I don’t do it, unfortunately,” Wilson told Zebra in a Zoom conversation later that day. “But when I worked in DC, I biked all the time into the office, and I just loved it! It’s a great way to start the day. It gets your blood going, gets your workout in at the same time. And honestly, in this region, it takes just as much time as any other way to get in.”

At the Sterling pit stop in Loudoun County, the music kicked up and folks began line dancing. Wilson left the line dancing to others and continued on. “That would have been a bad life choice if I had tried,” he laughed.

The festival continues to grow each year as Alexandria expands its biking infrastructure and advocates push for safer, more connected routes throughout the city.

Zebra found Kayte North at the Old Town pit stop. The City Hall site moved across the street while Market Square undergoes construction. North is division chief of mobility services for Alexandria.

“The city has done a lot of work over the last few decades to really promote all the different ways that people can get around. That’s driving a car, biking, walking, taking the bus, taking the Metro. There are so many different ways to get around Alexandria. And we at Go Alex are here to help people understand those options. DASHBus is free, by the way.”

The six Alexandria pit stops stretched from Old Town to Potomac Yard, giving commuters plenty of opportunities to refuel, socialize, and celebrate National Bike Month, which continues throughout May.

As the morning rush gradually tapered off and volunteers began packing up tents and tables, a final wave of cyclists rolled through the city pit stops beneath cloudless skies and whipping spring winds — one more reminder that for many in Alexandria, the commute is less about traffic jams and brake lights and more about sunshine, fresh air, and the open road and trail. And cheaper too.