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ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Alexandria's elected leadership is expected to greet cyclists at John Carlyle Square Park this morning as the region marks the 25th anniversary of Bike to Work Day.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley and Councilmembers John Chapman, Canek Aguirre and Jacinta Greene will be among the local officials on hand at the city's marquee pit stop, organizers announced.
Today's regional celebration is organized by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Commuter Connections program and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. More than 10,000 commuters across the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia are expected to trade four wheels for two.
The annual event promotes active commuting, cuts down on traffic congestion and helps improve air quality. More than 100 pit stops are set up across the region, with cyclists able to enjoy free refreshments, giveaways and community programming at most stops while supplies last. The first 18,000 registrants will receive a free commemorative T-shirt, and all who register and check in at a pit stop will be entered to win a new bike. Many locations will also offer complimentary bike tune-ups and other family-friendly activities.
"Marking the historic milestone of 25 years, Bike to Work Day remains focused on choosing a healthier, more sustainable future for our region," said Daniel Sheehan, director of Commuter Connections at COG. "Whether you are a daily cyclist or riding for the first time, Friday is the perfect opportunity to experience the benefits of biking and join our growing commuter community."
Alexandria is hosting six pit stops across the city today. The John Carlyle Square Park stop at 300 John Carlyle St. opens at 6 a.m. and runs until 9 a.m., featuring hot breakfast sandwiches, yoga stretching breaks, a DJ and on-site bike tune-ups from Handy Bikes.
The city's GO Alex team is sponsoring an Old Town pit stop across from City Hall Market Square in the 100 block of North Royal Street from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., with a DJ, grab-and-go refreshments, raffles and a limited-edition Bike to Work Day T-shirt while supplies last.
Other Alexandria stops include VéloCity Bicycle Co-op at Colasanto Park in Del Ray, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.; Great Harvest at Fairlington Centre, 1711 Centre Plaza, from 6:30 to 9 a.m.; and Washington Headquarters Services at the Mark Center, across from 4825 Mark Center Drive, from 7 to 9 a.m. The American Physical Therapy Association will host an afternoon pit stop in National Landing at 3030 Potomac Ave. from 3 to 6 p.m.
Elected officials are also scheduled to appear at pit stops in Arlington County, the City of Falls Church, Fairfax County and Loudoun County, along with stops across the District of Columbia and Maryland.
National Landing and GO Alex are among the major sponsors of this year's regional event, alongside ICF, Arc'teryx, goDCgo and BicycleSPACE.
Free registration is available at biketoworkmetrodc.org or by calling 800-745-7433. Those working from home are encouraged to bike to a local pit stop and back.
