Bike to Work Day Features 2 Pit Stops in Silver Spring

Written by: Emaun Kashfipour

Bike to Work Week is almost over with two more days left.

The week-long event was started to promote bicycling and bicycle safety. The Cycle Trade Association first established American Bike Month, then the League of American Bicyclists changed it to Bike Month in 1956.

"Bike to work month was started to promote bicycling for transportation and recreation," Carolyn Szczepanski, the Director of Communications at the League of American Bicyclists, said. 

On Bike to Work Day this Friday, there will be 58 pit stops in the Washington D.C. area to provide bikers with refreshments, free t-shirts, and give-aways. Two of those pit stops will be in Silver Spring.

One of them is on the corner of Wayne and Georgia Avenues near the Discovery Communications building. The contact for this location is Sam Oji, (240) 777-8386, Samuel.Oji@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The other is on Circle Drive in the front of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Historic Building #1 at 10903 New Hampshire Avenue. The contact for this location is Jack Carlile, 301-796-6981, john.carlile@fda.hhs.gov.

"Bicycling has many personal benefits in physical and emotional health," Carol Silldorff, Bike Maryland's executive director, said. "It's good for the heart and obesity and it's really good for the environment. It reduces the carbon footprint."

Bike Maryland has compiled a list of bicycling events in the state and a map of pit stops is available as well.