Alabama Partners for Clean Air

17th
May 2010

Birmingham Bike-to-Work Day 2010 Ride

May is National Bike Month! The League of American Bicyclists along with partner cities and organizations from across the nation are promoting Bike-to-Work Week on Monday May 17th through Friday the 21st. Birmingham's Bike-to-Work Day group ride will be held Friday, May 21st 2010. A bicycle convoy will start at the fountain in Five Points South at 7:00 a.m. The ride will finish between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. at Regions Center Plaza on the corner of 20th Street and 5th Avenue North. Cyclist will ride approximately 5.5 miles through Birmingham's City Center to raise awareness and catch a glimpse of several exciting downtown developments including the Railroad Reservation Park construction project. Directly after the ride, there will be a photo opportunity, cold drinks, t-shirts and giveaway items for cyclists.

The 2nd Annual Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast hosted by the Green Resource Center for Alabama will be held at Regions Center Plaza where the Bike-to-Work Day ride will end. Hot coffee, warm food and live music will be available until 9:45 am. For ticket information visit www.greenalabama.org and click on "Events."

The Birmingham Bike-to-Work Day ride is sponsored by the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (www.rpcgb.org), Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (www.bhammpo.org) and CommuteSmart Birmingham (www.commutesmart.org). Promotional and logistical support is being graciously provided by the Birmingham Police Department, City Action Partnership, Operation New Birmingham, Regions Bank, Green Resource Center for Alabama, Birmingham Bicycle Club, Bici Coop, Vulcan Tri-athletes, Alabama Bicycle Coalition, Alabama Partners for Clean Air, Jefferson County Department of Health, YMCA Birmingham, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, United Way of Central Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and area bike shops.

Throughout America cyclists will participate in this annual initiative by conducting group rides that highlight the benefits of cycling. Cycling is an emission-free form of "active transportation" that is good for both air quality and public health. Riding your bike to work, instead of driving, improves air quality by reducing vehicle emissions, creates less stress and improves cardio-vascular function.