Reports of a ghostly sob echoing from the grave of Henry Ford have been confirmed, following OmniRide and Prince William County's announcement of their audacious participation in 'Bike to Work Day' on May 19, 2023. Their plan to celebrate National Bike Month appears so grand, it's as if they've confused 'bicycle' with 'private, luxury helicopter.'
Aiming to support National Bike Month, OmniRide - a fancy name for the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) - wants you to ditch your four-wheeled freedom machines and join the two-wheeled brigade. Maybe they've been inspired by the Tour de France, or perhaps they've finally cracked under the strain of managing their 150-bus fleet that serviced a staggering 2.5 million passenger trips in 2018.
The aptly named 'Commuter Connections Committee' of the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments (MWCOG), in collaboration with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), are the masterminds behind this National Bike to Work Day. Their goal? To gently coax you into swapping your comfy, climate-controlled car for a bike seat.
The first 15,000 brave souls who sign up for Bike to Work Day and pit stop at designated locations in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia will receive a free T-shirt and refreshments. Because nothing quite says "Thanks for giving up your Mercedes" like a cotton T-shirt and a granola bar.
Pit stops include a variety of scenic locations, like the Simpson Community Center in Dumfries and the George Mason University in Manassas. OmniRide will be sponsoring the Rippon Landing Pit Stop, and rumor has it OmniRide staff will be at the Downtown Manassas VRE station, presumably to witness the spectacle of suit-clad citizens wobbling to work on two wheels.
But don't you worry, OmniRide isn't just stopping at a single day of two-wheeled torture. Oh no, they're promoting National Bike Month for the entirety of May, with an awareness campaign that aims to extend your torment beyond Bike to Work Day. They'll be educating residents on how to take their bikes on transit, because clearly taking a bus isn't complicated enough already.
In a generous move, OmniRide has equipped its buses with bike racks on the front, allowing passengers to take their bikes along at no additional charge. But don't get too excited, express bus riders - you're out of luck. But don't worry, you can still park your bikes at select commuter lots and ride the bus to your final destination.
Don't miss out on this golden opportunity to turn your comfortable 30-minute drive into an exciting 2-hour bicycle adventure. For more information on how to make your commute unnecessarily difficult, visit OmniRide’s website.
