Bike to Work Week will be June 6-12

University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty and staff are encouraged to bike to work and log their cycling hours for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin‘s Bike to Work Week, June 6-12.

According to the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin (BFW), Bike to Work Week is a nationwide event that encourages people to reap the health, monetary and environmental benefits of biking and walking while also promoting bicycling as a viable mode of transportation.

In the past, the BFW has coordinated Madison Bike to Work Week programs to correlate with National Bike to Work Day, a date determined by the League of American Bicyclists corresponding to the third Friday in May. The BFW believes there will be benefits of a later date this year.

“Simply, the warmer June weather is going to draw out more people and encourage more first-time bike commuters,” states Shea Schachameyer, Bike to Work Week project manager. “Numerous communities throughout the country have initiated this trend as well, moving Bike to Work Week to best accommodate the peak time of year to bike.”

Over the years, many communities throughout Wisconsin have joined together in Bike to Work Week. This year, more communities than ever will be participating, including Racine, Kenosha, West Bend, Sheboygan, Fox Cities, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Milwaukee and Madison.

While many communities continue to host their Bike to Work Week programs the third week in May, the BFW supports all Bike to Work Week programs. Support includes registration, participating tracking and event calendars hosted on the BFW’s Web site, materials for distribution and consulting services.