Bethesda Commuters Participate in Bike to Work Day

By Sandy Dean, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs

May 14, 2010 - BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Staff at National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) will join thousands of area commuters May 21 for a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work.

Bike to Work Day, sponsored by the Washington Area Bike Association (WABA), was established in 1972 to create a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, education, safety and affordable transportation. Since April 17, 1977, the day of the first Bike to Work Day, millions of commuters have taken to their bikes to participate, said Greg Billing, event assistant.

"There has been an increase from year to year in the number of people commuting to work by bike because of this event," Billing said.

WABA will provide experienced leaders who commuters can join on the day of the event, who have charted courses throughout the metropolitan area and have the local knowledge of the landscape to help commuters navigate to their jobs on the day of the event. These bike courses can be found online at the WABA Web site.

In addition, there will be 35 regional pit stops for commuters who are participating to refuel. The pit stop at NNMC, sponsored by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation, will be at the South Gate outside of the fence.

"We will have a table at the South Gate with prizes, food and drinks. Participants should register at the WABA website," said Jenny Charlson, from NNMC's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office.

"Barriers to biking are often what should I wear, how long will it take and the feeling of being out there all alone," Billing said, "but with Bike to Work Day, all of the leg work has been done to help alleviate those fears."

There is no registration fee for Bike to Work Day and the event is open to all area commuters.