North Texans Encouraged to Bicycle to Work, Other Places in May

5/9/2023

Bike Month offers many opportunities to support active transportation

 
(Arlington, TEXAS) – On a typical morning, most North Texans get in their cars and drive to their destinations. Whether they are going to work, dropping the kids off at school or running errands, the day usually starts behind the wheel. There are opportunities throughout May to try something different. May is Bike Month.

Take a spin around the neighborhood. Explore a nearby trail. Even ride your bike to work.

This year, there are two separate Bike to Work Day observances for North Texans to consider. Dallas Area Rapid Transit is holding a local event May 12 with giveaways and free snacks from 7-9 a.m. at the following four rail stations: Akard, CityLine/Bush, Downtown Garland and Parker Road. For details, visit www.dart.org/bikes.

In addition to the DART event, the League of American Bicyclists is giving workers the chance to extend their focus on bicycling into the next week. National Bike to Work Week begins May 15, concluding with Bike to Work Day on May 19.

Even if people find it difficult to ride their bicycles to work, they could take advantage of the milder weather and explore some of the region’s more than 800 miles of off-road trails during lunch or ride to a nearby coffee shop to meet a friend.

Some North Texans may still be looking for ways to pedal to work despite living far from the office. They could use their bicycles for the first and last miles of their trips, riding to and from the nearest transit stop. All three of the region’s public transportation providers allow bicycles on their buses and trains.

May is also National Bicycle Safety Month, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges bicyclists and motorists to share the roadways by obeying traffic laws and respecting each other’s rights. The safety of all roadway users is an important emphasis area in North Texas and across the state. For more on the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign, visit www.lookouttexans.org.

Whether you take a ride for fun or decide to pedal to work, May is a great time to become more active. For more on Bike Month, plus safety tips to follow when preparing for a bicycle commute, visit www.nctcog.org/biketowork.