Bike to School Day is happening Wednesday, May 9, and students everywhere are encouraged to participate.
May is National Bike Month. Cities from coast-to-coast have been celebrating National Bike Month since it was established in 1956 in hopes that those foreign to the idea will give biking a try. Those who make the change are doing more than adding a new perspective to their means of transportation.
Many people have switched to bikes for getting around the city over the years. 40 percent of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles, making bicycling a feasible and fun way to get to work.
Students in Salt Lake can save money commuting to school instead of using their cars.
Salt Lake Community College has many areas on campus for students to safely secure their bicycles while they visit. Those who make biking to school a habit can avoid buying seasonal parking passes to attend class. Biking creates less traffic on the roads and is more sustainable than other alternatives like cars.
Participants can also use the commute as their workout for the day. Biking can create a healthier environment by cutting emissions.
With increased interest in healthy, sustainable and economic transportation options, it’s not surprising that, from 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. grew by more than 62 percent, according to the League of American Bicyclists.
Salt Lake City is making strides to become a more bicycle-friendly city, and residents should be taking part in exploring what their home has to offer.
“Whirly-Gig” Sculptures can be found downtown for a safe place to chain bikes to. Bike corrals that can hold up to 10 bicycles are also available. To make the commute easier, the state takes requests for free bike racks in locations that citizens choose on the slcgov.com website.
In addition to the updates downtown, many trails for simple commute or leisure rides are available. Some include trails from the 9th area to the University of Utah Campus, Emigration and Parleys Canyons, as well as more additions around the Jordan River area.
With new developments to make urban commute easier and more efficient, people are encouraged to include biking in their daily life.