May 12 marks Bay Area's 17th annual Bike to Work Day
May 12 marks the Bay Area’s 17th annual Bike to Work Day when commuters put down their car keys, strap on a helmet and bike to work or BART. (Please be aware of the bike rules). On Bike to Work Day “Energizer Stations” will be located along bike commute routes and at BART stations where bicyclists can stop for refreshments, giveaways, and bicycling info or simply to be cheered on by fellow participants.
Visit www.youcanbikethere.com for a full list of Energizer Station locations and more Bike to Work Day information.While you’re there, sign up for the Team Bike Challenge. Get your team of 2-5 riders together and compete to commute by bike as often as possible through the month of May. Get the most points in your county to win prizes for everyone on your team.
BART bike lockers go electric
Electronic bike lockers provide secure bike parking and increased bicycle storage at BART stations. To use the electronic lockers, buy a BikeLink smart card online or at a convenient retail location. Then ride up to an available locker and insert your smart card into the card slot. Follow on-screen directions to put time on the meter. The cost, at 3 cents an hour, is automatically deducted from your smart card. Park your bike inside, close the door and you’re off. When you return to retrieve your bike, insert your smart card into the slot to open the door. Unused time and value are automatically refunded back to the card. Buy a smart card, get a list of electronic locker locations and view a video on the electronic lockers at www.bart.gov/bikes.
Bike to Work Day events at two of BART’s bike stations
At the Fruitvale bike station you can write a story about why you commute by bike, 50 words or less, and get a raffle ticket to win fun prizes like t-shirts, bike helmets, lights and tubes.Park your bike at the Downtown Berkeley bike station and enjoy fresh waffles with all the trimmings (while supplies last).
Park your bike at a BART bike station
BART operates several of the largest bike stations in the nation, providing safe, secure, indoor bike parking. The Downtown Berkeley bike station is located at 2208 Shattuck Avenue, just steps from the BART entrance at Allston Way and Shattuck Avenue and offers free valet parking from 7 a.m.-9 p.m., 24-hour selfservice parking, repairs and sales, classes and special events.
The Fruitvale bike station features free, secure bike storage from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. and a full-service repair shop adjacent to Fruitvale BART.
At Embarcadero park your bike any time the station is open using a BikeLink smart card for 3 cents/hour. This bike station is located on the concourse level of the Embarcadero BART Station.
And don’t forget BART’s newest bike station at Ashby BART, just outside the main entrance to the station on the west side of the station. This is a self-serve facility and requires a BikeLink Card for access. Visit www.bart.gov/bikes for more bike station information.