Join PRTC and Bike to Work on Friday

If you’ve ever thought about riding a bicycle to work but need a little extra incentive to give it a try, mark your calendar!  Friday, May 20 is Bike to Work Day, when everyone is encouraged to use a bicycle to complete at least part of their commute.  Help our region cut down on pollution while getting some exercise!  Need more incentive?  The first 8,500 people to register for the event on the website of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association can pick up a free T-shirt at a Bike to Work Day pit stop!

Those who want to bike for only part of their commutes can park their bikes and complete their commutes on a PRTC bus.  You can learn more about using PRTC bike racks by going to our website, PRTCtransit.org and searching for “bike racks.”  OmniRide commuter buses serve the following commuter parking lots with bicycle storage facilities:

• Old Bridge Rd and Route 123 (Hechingers)
• Horner Road – Telegraph/Prince William Parkway/I-95
• PRTC Transit Center – Telegraph & Potomac Mills Roads
• Lindendale – Dale Blvd and Quate Lane
• Dale City – Dale Blvd and Gemini Way
• Route 234 & Route 1
• Route 123 & I-95
• Lake Ridge – Old Bridge and Minnieville Roads
• Portsmouth – Williamson Blvd, behind K-Mart (Manassas)

Most of PRTC’s Metro Direct buses have bike racks, allowing passengers to take their bikes along to the Franconia-Springfield, West Falls Church or Vienna metro stations.  From there, passengers may take their bikes on Metrorail (limit of two bicycles per car, no bikes during rush hours) or Metrobus, or store them at the Metro station. 

PRTC’s local OmniLink and Cross County Connector buses also have bike racks, so passengers can conveniently take their bikes with them to their destinations. Bike racks are free and can accommodate up to two bikes at a time.

For those who want to bike to their final destination, Bike to Work Day organizers have designated 50 regional pit stops so riders can meet their neighbors and ride into the city with experienced commuter convoys. Pit stops will also feature refreshments and raffle prizes.  There are five pit stops in our area:

• Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center at George Mason University - Manassas
• Kelley Leadership Center - Independent Hill
• Manassas VRE Station
• Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center - Woodbridge
• Rippon Landing VRE Station - Woodbridge
• Haymarket Bicycles on Costello Way - Haymarket

To register, or to learn more about Bike to Work Day, visit the Washington Area Bicyclist Association website, www.waba.org.