Media Alert/Photo Opportunity
CONTACT: Alex Doty
May 12, 2009 (215) 239-4749
Philadelphia Celebrates Increased Bicycling with Bike to Work Month Events
WHAT In recognition of a doubling in bicycling in the last three years, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is announcing a series of events in honor of National Bike Month to celebrate bicycling as a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transportation and recreation.
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is a non-profit organization making bicycling better through advocacy and education by promoting biking as a healthy, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly form of transportation and recreation in southeast Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. www.bicyclecoalition.org.
BIKE TO WORK RIDE WITH MAYOR NUTTER
Mayor Nutter will lead by example and commute to City Hall by bicycle. Citizens are invited to join the Mayor on his ride at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 8:30 a.m. This is a rain or shine event.
Where: Begins at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and ends at the Northeast Corner of City Hall.
When: Friday, May 15, 2009 8:30 a.m.
BICYCLE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM LAUNCH
Immediately following the ride, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia will introduce the city to the 2009 Bicycle Ambassadors. The six Ambassadors will be present to answer questions about bike safety as well as talk about the their role in helping Philadelphia become a greener, more fit and more livable city one bike at a time. Mayor Nutter and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown will help launch the Bicycle Ambassador Program.
Where: Northeast Corner of City Hall
When: Friday, May 15, 2009 immediately following the Bike to Work Ride (approximately 9:30am)
BICYCLE PARKING ZONING BILL
City Council will consider a bill to amend the zoning code to require bicycle parking when new development projects are constructed. The Bicycle Coalition will testify in favor of the bill.
Where: City Council Room 400
When: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 10 am
RIDE OF SILENCE
Philadelphia's Ride of Silence commemorates bicyclists who have been injured or killed. It is a free, police-escorted ride through Center City. Cyclists ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent to raise awareness that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways.
Where: Art Museum steps
When: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:45pm
BICYCLE COMMUTER RACE
The Bicycle Coalition will stage a race between three commuters: a bicyclist, a car driver and a transit rider. The race will test the theory that a bicyclist who commutes four miles or less in Philadelphia will generally arrive before or within a few minutes of other commuters during rush hour. To give the car every chance to win the race, the driver will be in a convertible sports car provided by Zip Car.
Where: Municipal Services Building, 15th and JFK Boulevard.
When: Wednesday, May 27, 2009
BIKE TO THE BALLPARK
Bicyclists can skip the traffic and parking fees associated with the stadiums by biking to the ballpark. Bike to the Ballpark Night features a group ride for new and experienced bicyclists to Citizens Bank Park to watch the Philadelphia Phillies challenge the Washington Nationals (game time 7:05pm). Complimentary valet bike parking will be provided by Neighborhood Bike Works.
Where and when: New riders meet at Schuylkill River Park Trail on Schuylkill Banks (25th and Locust) at 5:45pm. Experienced riders meet at City Hall at 6:15pm
CONTACT Alex Doty
Executive Director, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
Office: (215) BICYCLE
Mobile: (215) 239-4749
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