The goal of Bike to Work Day is to encourage Contra Costa County commuters to try bicycling to work on this day by offering a variety of incentives, such as a raffle for prizes and energizer stations with refreshments and educational materials for bicycle commuters throughout the county. The hope is that once individuals try bicycling to work, they will continue to commute by bicycle one or more days a week. Bicycling provides excellent exercise and is a non-polluting and energy-efficient form of transportation.
Due to COVID-19, in 2020 and 2021, Bike to Work Day was rebranded as "Bike to Wherever Days," which promoted bicycling for any purpose, and took place during the entire month of September and May of 2020 and 2021, respectively. In 2022, both Bike to Work Day and Bike to Wherever Days were celebrated on May 20th and for the entire month of May, respectively.
For 2023, Bike to Work Day will be celebrated on May 18th, while Bike to Wherever Days will be celebrated for the entire month of May. All nine Bay Area counties will be participating in Bike to Work Day and Bike to Wherever Days at some level. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission, with the help of financial donations from event sponsors and volunteers, will primarily fund Bike to Work Day/Bike to Wherever Days activities in the San Francisco Bay Area. On Bike to Work Day, cyclists can stop for refreshments and promotional materials at over 200 energizer stations throughout the Bay Area, over 40 of which will be located in Contra Costa County. 511 Contra Costa coordinates volunteers to work at energizer stations in Contra Costa County. Additional information on these events is available at the following website: https://bayareabiketowork.com.
Attached is a draft transmittal memo (Exhibit A) from the County Administrator to all departments requesting that they encourage their employees to participate in Bike to Work Day and Bike to Wherever Days. County employees are encouraged to post a flyer (Exhibit B) in their workplace promoting the 2023 Bike to Work Day Interdepartmental Competition, which aims to encourage employee participation in Bike to Work Day. Both the memo and the flyer contain a link to a Bike to Work Day survey, where employees can confirm their participation in the Bike to Work Day Interderpartmental Competition. In addition, the survey will include questions regarding 2023 Bike to Work Day and Bike to Wherever Day activities and the opportunities and challenges that employees face when riding a bike to work. With the Board's approval, posters and other outreach materials will be distributed to County departments for their use in outreach to County employees.
The County will not encourage its employees to participate in 2023 Bike to Work Day or Bike to Wherever Days.