A record number of bikers turned out for this year’s Bike To Work Day, thanks to good weather and a surge in interest in two-wheeled transportation.
Some 11,000 commuters had registered to ride bikes to their jobs on Friday, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. That’s more than double the 5,000 who participated six years ago.
The biking event had 49 pit stops around the region to help riders. Local officials also joined in to ride bikes themselves or cheer along commuters.
It was also a chance to pat themselves on the back. D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray accepted a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community Award from the League of American Bicyclists on Friday. In 2007, the city won a Bronze award from the group. The District has been lauded for its popular Capital Bikeshare system. But apparently, it still has more to do as the top prizes — gold and platinum — remain elusive.
