Bike to Work Day Friday, May 18, 2007

Frederick, MD. – Commuters throughout the Washington/Baltimore region are encouraged to participate in Bike to Work Day 2007 on Friday, May 18. TransIT invites you to participate in this annual event that will bring area commuters together to promote bicycling to work as a healthy alternative to drive-alone commuting, lessening traffic congestion and improving air quality.

There will be 25 “pit stops” in communities in the National Capitol region, including one in Frederick at the Transit Center (East Street MARC train station). The Frederick pit stop will offer free food, promotional items, helmet checks and tune-ups provided by the Bicycle Fix, as well as a chance to win a bicycle donated by the Bicycle Escape. Local officials and bicycle enthusiasts will be on hand at the Transit Center to participate in the celebration from 6:30 am – 8:30 am.

Experienced and novice cyclists are welcome to participate in the event. Prior to biking to work for the first time, however, cyclists should take the time to tune up their bike, map their route, check connections needed for bus, train or rail, and make a trial run. MARC riders may bike to the downtown station and secure bikes to the racks adjacent to the station. Commuters need to bring a lock to secure bikes. Commuters can bike to a bus stop, secure their bike on the bus bike rack, and ride TransIT to their work site. Instructions for loading and unloading bicycles and suggestions for commuting by bicycle are included in the TransIT Bike Program brochure available on TransIT buses and at www.co.frederick.md.us/Transit/BikeBrochure.pdf.

Commuters who regularly bike to work should join the Guaranteed Ride Home Program. This service provides a free ride home, up to 4 times per year, in the event of an unexpected emergency or unscheduled overtime. To register, call TransIT or log on to the website at www.co.frederick.md.us/transit