Celebrate Colorado Bike Month and Bike to Work

Cycling is an ever-popular sport, form of recreation and mode of transportation in Colorado. “To celebrate bicycling for transportation, fun and health, Colorado has designated each June as Bike Month. At the same time, Colorado joins a nationwide effort to encourage cycling novices and enthusiasts to experience the fun and freedom of safely riding a bike to work, school, errands and recreation,” the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) said.

One of the highlights of Bike Month is Bike to Work Day, which is observed on the fourth Wednesday of June. On this day, employees are encouraged to forgo their cars and cycle to work instead. CDOT reports that the number of employees who cycle to work on Bike to Work day has risen steadily in the past 20 years with the upward trend expected to continue.

The Benefits of Cycling

What’s the hubbub about cycling, and why should you board the bandwagon? There are dozens of potential benefits of bike riding – related to health, environmental causes and economic reasons.

Bikeradar shares 30 positive effects of biking, which might help sway your decision on whether or not to participate in Bike to Work Day. A few key benefits include:

• improved sleep;
• better illness-fighting power;
• zero pollution contribution;
• improved sex drive;
• reduced risk of heart disease;
• reduced risk of cancer;
• weight loss and weight maintenance;
• positively influence the younger generation;
• improved creative thinking skills;
• improved lung capacity;
• increased endorphins (happy hormones);
• reduced fatigue; and
• a means for relationship building and outlet for socialization (group rides).

Free Resources for Bike Safety

It’s vital to practice bike safety and fully understand the rules of the road to reduce the risk of accidents. Fortunately, the CDOT has numerous free resources for the public to help promote safe bicycling.

By sending your request to Betsy Jacobsen, Bicycle and Pedestrian Section, 4201 E. Arkansas Avenue, Shumate Building, Denver, CO 80222 or [email protected], you can receive the following useful bicycle riding publications:

• Colorado Bicycling Manual;
• Colorado Bicycling and Scenic Byways Map;
• Rules of the Road & Trail Wallet Cards;
• Colorado Safe Routes to School Brochure;
• Colorado Safe Routes to School Book Mark; and
• Colorado Safe Routes to School Paper Book Cover.

In addition, the CDOT offers numerous free downloadable bike safety materials and bike riding tips in the bicycle and pedestrian section of their website’s programs page. Some of them include:

• 2014 Colorado Bike Month Poster Artwork;
• Administration of Special Events on Colorado Roads: A Guide for Event Managers;
• Bike the Byways Colorado;
• Colorado Guide for the Development of Local and Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans;
• SRTS Lesson Plans – Bicycle Safety;
• Share the Road Safety Video; and
• Walk to School Colorado.

City of Arvada Group Bike Ride

If you reside or work in Arvada, you might consider taking part in the City of Arvada and the Arvada Bicycle Advisory Group (BAC) Bike Ride. Arvada BAC is a group of “engaged citizens working with the city to develop better and safer biking facilities, encourage more people to bicycle, and create a more cycling-friendly city.”

They host regular group rides to increase riders’ confidence and to “remind you of the joy of cycling.” Visit them on Facebook @ Arvada BAC or read about upcoming events on The City and Community of Arvada website.

Legal Help for Arvada Cyclists

For any legal questions or concerns about cycling or bike accidents in Arvada, you are invited to contact the law office of D.J. Banovitz for a free consultation or read about personal injury in our free eBook, Seven Costly Mistakes that Can Ruin Your Colorado Injury Case.