Bike to Work Day - Thursday, May 10 at Stanford!
Get ready to bike or walk to work on Thursday, May 10, as we celebrate the greenest ways to commute to Stanford. In 2017, a record-breaking number of 2,635 were observed at Stanford during the morning commute who cycled or walked on Bike to Work Day.
>> Bike to Work 2018 winners announced! <<
On this page:
- Bike to Work success and a big thanks
- Why bike to work?
- Be safe riding and walking to work
- Share your department’s Bike to Work Day ride
- SVBC Bike to Work Day Programs
Bike to Work success and a big thanks to the 90+ volunteers who staffed Stanford’s 15 Energizer Stations.
Over 2,000 bicyclists and 292 pedestrians participated in this year’s Bike to Work Day on May 10. Riders who recorded their miles eliminated 6,711 pounds of CO2 and rode an average of 9.6 miles.
Bike to Work Day by the numbers
With 21 percent of university commuters riding a bike to work or school, every day feels like Bike to Work Day at Stanford. However, Bike to Work Day, which took place on May 10, is still a special day.
This year, 2,033 Stanford participated in the early morning ride to Stanford celebrating the 24th Anniversary of the Bay Area event, participated. Walkers counted too—292 strolled in.
Bicyclists and walkers alike were greeted at one of the 15 Stanford-affiliated Energizer Stations hosted by our record-breaking team of 90+ Bike to Work volunteers.
For at least one volunteer, the experience was well worth the early wake-up call:
“It was so much fun to be out in the beautiful morning greeting folks biking in - made me feel like part of a bike commuter community! Loved it”
The 882 riders who reported their mileage logged a total 8,317 miles, with an average ride of 9.6 miles. By biking instead of driving, these commuters eliminated an estimated 6,711* pounds of CO2 emissions on Bike to Work Day. While some bicyclists rode a short distance, many logged distances from as far as Alameda, Fremont, and San Jose.
Davis Reek, Budget Analyst in University Budget Office, rode from San Francisco with colleague Stephen Arod Shirreffs, Ph.D., from the University Registrar. According to Stephen, the pair logged some serious miles:
“We actually rode 40 miles one-way and then took the train back to SF after work and rode home from there.”
Sprocket Man—Stanford’s Bike Safety superhero—also appeared to welcome riders, do some on-site minor bike repairs, and hand out Bike to Work tote bags filled with goodies and snacks to give riders a boost to make it to their final destination.
National Bike Month continues
It’s not too late to celebrate National Bike Month! Riders can take the Stanford Bike Safety Pledge: agreeing to wear a bicycle helmet for every ride and follow the rules of the road. Pledge by May 31 to be entered to win a new Momentum iNeed Street bike donated by the Campus Bike Shop.
For more information on bicycling or National Bike Month, please contact the Bicycle Program at bike-information@stanford.edu.
* The per-mile emissions factor used for automobiles is 0.377 kg CO2/mile (or 0.831 lb. CO2/mile). This is based on an average passenger vehicle fuel economy of 23.3 miles per gallon (2012) figure from U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics
2018 Bike to Work Day Results
| Locations | Total Riders | Riders who recorded miles | Miles | Avg. Trip | Walkers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Plaza | 178 | 47 | 320 | 6.8 | 4 |
| El Camino/Galvez Street | 113 | 45 | 237.5 | 5.3 | 4 |
| Campus Drive/Santa Teresa | 126 | 39 | 488 | 12.5 | 3 |
| Palm Drive | 526 | 211 | 2200 | 10.4 | 39 |
| Serra Street/El Camino | 174 | 133 | 1193.5 | 9 | 13 |
| Clark Center/Dean's Lawn | 130 | 92 | 1081.5 | 11.8 | 38 |
| Escondido at Comstock | 241 | 86 | 429 | 5 | 125 |
| SLAC | 157 | 37 | 499 | 13.5 | |
| Stanford Hospital Fountain | 118 | 73 | 409.5 | 5.6 | 16 |
| Stanford Children's Health | 62 | 49 | 1259.7 | 25.7 | 51 |
| 4100 Bohannon | |||||
| Stanford Medicine Redwood City | 27 | 6 | 22 | 3.7 | |
| Palo Alto Tech Center | |||||
| 321 Middlefield | 133 | 35 | |||
| Neuroscience Health Center | 48 | 29 | 177 | 6.1 | |
| TOTAL STANFORD | 2033 | 882 | 8316.7 | 9.6 | 293 |
Why Bike To Work?
- Almost 40 percent of Bay Area commuters live within five miles of their workplace, a distance considered ideal for bicycle commuting.
- If every person living this close to their workplace pedaled to work on Bike to Work Day, more than 60,000 vehicles would be off the road, reducing tailpipe emissions by more than 150,000 pounds.
- Bicycling or walking could save both emissions and expenses. Try our Commute Cost and Carbon Emissions Calculator for your savings.
Be Safe Riding and Walking To Work
Momentum iNeed Street bike
- Take the Stanford Bike Safety Pledge and your name will be entered into a drawing to win a free Momentum iNeed Street bike donated by the Campus Bike Shop! Commit to wear a helmet every time you ride your bike and to follow the rules of the road when biking and walking.
- Remember: Stop at all stop signs, use lights at night, and yield to pedestrians on shared pathways.
- More information on bike laws and bike safety tips
- Walk to one of Stanford's Energizer Stations on Bike to Work Day and enter a drawing to win one of two $100 gift certificates to The Walking Company.
- Check out more Helpful Hints for Your Active Commute.
Share your department’s Bike to Work Day ride—win a free breakfast!
Congratulations to the teams who won breakfast at Tootsies for winning the 2017 BTW Department Rides: "CARS" (left) representing the Psychology department and "SHC Planning, Design and Construction" (right) representing Stanford Health Care.
Share your department’s team spirit and how you rally colleagues to ride during May, National Bike Month, or on Bike to Work Day, May 10. We have heard stories of both short and long rides, some from as far away as San Francisco and beyond. The information will help foster new programs, gather information on bike-friendly departments, and inspire all of us to ride more and drive less when we can.
Log your ride by May 31 to be entered into the drawing. Luck of the draw will award a free* breakfast to the winning department.
*Breakfast limited to budget capacity and our vendor selection, must be redeemed by June 30, 2018
SVBC Bike to Work Day Programs
Thanks to our friends at the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) who are sharing these Bike to Work Day programs county-wide. More information, http://bikesiliconvalley.org/btwd/
Company Bike Challenge
The Company Bike Challenge is a great friendly cycling competition among companies throughout the Bay Area that encourages friends and colleagues to commute by bike during the month of May. Cyclists competing in the Team Bike Challenge will earn points for their team and company every time they ride their bike to work, the park, or any other destination. It's also another great way to show other companies in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties that you are a commuting champion.
To compete, individuals sign up on the Team Bike Challenge registration page and choose their company from a pull down menu. Points will then be counted towards that company. There are three categories for companies, and the company with the highest point total in each category wins!
For complete rules and to participate, register at teambikechallenge.com. Company Bike Challenge participants need only sign up and join their company. You can also join as a team for the Team Bike Challenge if you'd like (more information below).
Company categories are:
- Small Business (1-50 Local Employees)
- Medium Company (50-300 Local Employees)
- Large Corporation (300+ Local Employees)
Team Bike Challenge
The Team Bike Challenge is a fun commute competition taking place during National Bike Month (May) that encourages friends and colleagues to form teams of two to five people to compete against other teams throughout the Bay Area. Team members will earn points every time they ride their bikes and for every mile they pedal. Whether you're riding to work, school, the park or almost anywhere else, you will earn points along the way. One team will be crowned from each county.
For complete rules and to participate, form a team of up to 5 riders and register today at teambikechallenge.com
Free Bike Safety Classes. Class attendees learn bike safety and the rules of the road. Pre-registration is required on the Stanford Department of Public Safety website. View the class flyer.
Location: Public Safety Police Compound training facility, 679 Pampas Lane (behind the tall green gate at the end of the lane)
- Commute planning assistance for biking, transit, and biking + transit.
- Helpful Hints for Your Active Commute
- Bike Questions and Answers
New to riding or just getting back on your bike? - Get Ready to Roll
Gear tips, what you need to get rolling - Sample Bike Routes
Try these local routes - Take the Stanford Bike Safety Pledge
Pledge to follow the rules and wear a helmet, and enter to win a free bike!
Thanks to the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition who oversees Bike to Work Day in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties and to 511.org, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Kaiser Permanente who provide funding.
For more information on Stanford's bicycle program and bike safety, visit the bike program web page or email bike-information@stanford.edu.