Washington, D.C.—Commuters throughout the Washington metropolitan region will take to the streets on two wheels this Friday, May 21. The annual Bike to Work Day event, coordinated by Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), attracts novice and experienced cyclists from around the region in an effort to highlight and promote alternative commute options.

The Washington area’s Bike to Work Day event includes 35 regional “pit stops” that will feature appearances and speeches by members of Congress, local elected officials, representatives from the Department of Energy, the Federal Highway Administration, as well as prizes, food, and entertainment.

Nicholas Ramfos, Director of Commuter Connections, is pleased with the interest in Bike to Work Day from local and federal government officials, as well as private sector employers. “Commuter Connections and WABA would like to thank all the federal and local representatives that help make Bike to Work Day a success each year. It is an honor to welcome speakers from the U.S. Department of Energy, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as private sector organizations,” Ramfos said. “It is a testament to their support of commuters in the region that this event continues to grow and succeed.”

After celebrating at regional pit stops en route to work, many of the bicyclists will continue their journey as part of formed commuter convoys, some of which will pedal into Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. The Freedom Plaza pit stop will feature many prominent speakers, including:

• Earl Blumenauer, U.S. Congressman
• Daniel B. Poneman, Deputy U.S. Secretary of Energy
• Peter M. Rogoff, Federal Transit Administrator  
• Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, Roy Kienitz
• Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and/or DDOT Director Gabe Klein (holding the ribbon cutting for opening of bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue)
• Rear Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, U.S. Coast Guard
• Tommy Wells, Mary Cheh, and Michael Brown, Washington, D.C. Councilmembers
• Dave Robertson, Executive Director, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG)
• Buddy Roogow, Executive Director, D.C. Lottery

Following the celebration at Freedom Plaza, Dave Robertson, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), will be joining employees on “Team 777,” a convoy that will ride from Freedom Plaza to COG’s offices located at 777 N. Capitol St. N.E. in Washington to celebrate Bike to Work Day and show their support for commuters who seek healthy and environmentally-friendly alternatives to drive-alone commuting.

The annual event celebrates National Bike Month and is held in May in cities throughout the United States. It is a non-profit event and is open to all commuters in the Washington area. The region’s elected officials, scores of bicyclists, and volunteer staff support this event each year. For a list of additional participants and speakers at pit stops throughout the region, please see below.

Commuters can still register for the May 21, 2010 event by visiting a www.waba.org. For questions about Bike to Work Day, please call the Washington Area Bicyclist Association at (202) 518-0524 or email waba@waba.org.

2010 Pit Stops locations include*:

Washington, DC: Freedom Plaza, Buzzard Point and Nationals Park

Maryland: Bethesda, Bowie, College Park, Frederick, Hyattsville, Indian Head, North Bethesda, Oxon Hill, Rockville, Silver Spring, and White Oak

Virginia: Alexandria, Ballston, Burke, Crystal City, Fairfax Corner, Fairfax City, Herndon, Leesburg, Manassas, Merrifield, Reston, Springfield, Rosslyn, Sterling, Tysons Corner and Vienna

*Some jurisdictions have more than one pit stop location. Raffles will be held at each pit stop and may include prizes such as commuter bags, bike locks, and bicycles. For more information about pit stop locations and meeting times visit www.waba.org.

Other Speakers and Participants (as of May 19, 2010):

Merrifield

• David F. Snyder, Councilmember, City of Falls Church, and Chair, National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB)
• Linda Smyth, Fairfax County Supervisor

Reston

• Cathy Hudgins, Fairfax County Supervisor
• Kathleen Driscoll McKee, Reston Association President

Springfield

• Jeff McKay, Fairfax County Supervisor

Manassas

• W.S. Wally Covington, III, Prince William County Supervisor

Hyattsville

• Bill Gardiner, Mayor of Hyattsville
• Matthew D. McKnight, Hyattsville City Councilmember

Frederick

• Randy McClement, Mayor of Frederick City
• David Gray, Kai Hagen: Frederick County Commissioners
• Shelley Aloi, Michael O'Connor, Kelly Russell, and Karen Young: Frederick City Aldermen

Indian Head

• Dennis Scheessele, Vice Mayor
• Edith Patterson, Charles County Commissioner
• Wayne Clark, Executive Director Tri-County Council

Note: Most pit stops not listed will also have elected officials and notable dignitaries.