Fifteen pit stops sponsored by Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will be part of the annual region-wide celebration of “Bike to Work Day” on Friday, May 21. Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association will host the free event that offers the first 15,000 bikers to register and participate a free 20th anniversary commemorative tee shirt.
All participants who register for Bike to Work Day 2021 are entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike. This year, BicycleSPACE will donate bicycles from the Brooklyn Bicycle Company, All-City and Brompton. Winners need not be present when the names are drawn.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, this year's celebration will feature non-traditional pit stops throughout the County. Telecommuters can bike to pick up free BTWD tee shirts at a pit stop. People biking to work can continue to their place of business and telecommuters are encouraged to bike a “fake commute” or take a break during their workday.
“For 20 years, Montgomery County has been celebrating Bike to Work Day and has aggressively directed policy efforts, budgetary investments and communication to support bicycling safety,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have worked toward better access and infrastructure, and we will continue to create more opportunities and improved safety for bicyclists. Bicycling is good for the health of our residents and our environment. We encourage bicycling for commuting, exercise and as a great way to get around Montgomery County.”
The County has increased the number of pit stops it sponsors to encourage teleworkers to participate. Those working at home can get exercise and bike to a tee shirt pickup point (pit stop) and then head back home to work for the day.
To register for the event, participants should visit the Find Your Pit Stop map to plan a route for the day of the event.
- The MCDOT-sponsored pit stops will be at:
- All American Bicycle Center, Damascus
- Andes Bike Shop, Gaithersburg
- Bike Center Ltd., Gaithersburg
- Chevy Chase Athletic Club, Chevy Chase
- Germantown Cycles, Germantown
- Griffin Cycle, Bethesda
- Just Riding Along Bike Shop, Laytonsville
- MCDOT Mobile Commuter Store, Silver Spring (Briggs Chaney Park and Ride lot)
- MCDOT Mobile Commuter Store, Germantown (Walmart Service Center)
- MCDOT TRiPS Store, Silver Spring (Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center, second floor)
- REI Store, Bethesda
- Silver Cycles, Silver Spring
- Terrapin Cycles, Bethesda
- TREK Bicycle, Rockville
- Takoma Bicycle, Takoma Park
MCDOT also has announced a “Bicycle Swag Bag Contest” to promote Bike to Work Day.
Through May 30, MCDOT encourages bike riders to show their favorite commute to work or place to bike on a recreational bike trail/path in Montgomery County. Bike riders are asked to submit a favorite picture of themselves enjoying their ride along any bike path or trail in the County and to tag @mococommuter and #MoCobikes on Twitter and Instagram or by e-mail to commuter.services@montgomerycountymd.gov to be entered into a weekly drawing.
Winners have previously been selected for submitting photos from the Capital Crescent, Sligo Creek, Carl Henn Millennium, Matthew Henson, Bethesda Trolley and Rock Creek trails. For more information on the contest and future locations can be found at website.
