Shimano has officially launched its “Bike To Work” program. Through partnerships with the League of American Bicyclists and Bicycling magazine, this program was developed to encourage people to utilize a bicycle as a primary source of transportation on their daily commute to and from work.

As part of the program, residents in 10 selected cities were asked to share how they would incorporate a bike into their mass transit commute. In April 2005, over 2,000 people responded with essay submissions and 500 of the most compelling stories will be awarded a new bike during National Bike Month in May. All participants will be able to keep their bicycles following the conclusion of Bike to Work 2005.

The 10 participating metropolitan areas include:

  • Denver, Colo.
  • Madison, Wis.
  • Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
  • Orange County, Calif.
  • Philadelphia, Pa.
  • Phoenix, Ariz.
  • Portland, Ore.
  • San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
  • Seattle, Wash.
  • Washington, D.C.

Each of the 500 free bikes will be equipped with Shimano's Nexus components, which are designed to maximize durability, efficiency and ease of use at an affordable price. Participants will also receive a Bell helmet, a Kryptonite bike lock, CatEye headlights, rear-flashers and cycle computers (to track speed and mileage) and other cycling gear.

“Shimano's Bike To Work program was developed to promote cycling as transportation, and particularly to demonstrate how easily cycling can be integrated with public transportation,” said Jasen Thorpe, Shimano American Corporation's consumer marketing manager. “Everyone had a blast riding a bike as a kid. Shimano Nexus-equipped bikes help riders rekindle that feeling of freedom while using bicycles for fun, fitness and transportation.”

In each of Shimano's Bike To Work markets, 50 free bikes will be given away at a variety of bike festivals and presentations. Examples of bike giveaway events include:

    Seattle

  • Monday, May 2 at Gas Works Park, 12 noon – 2 p.m. PDT
  • Kick-off and registration for Group Health's Commute Challenge, one of the largest bike transportation programs in the country
  • Presentations from King County Council Transportation Committee, Sound Transit, Cascade Bicycle Club and Bicycling magazine
  • Display of Sound Transit's hybrid busses with SportWorks triple bike racks

    San Francisco Bay Area

  • Friday, May 6 at Justin Herman Plaza, 12 noon – 2 p.m. PDT
  • Presentations from BART regarding Embarcadero BikeStation, Bay Area Bicycle Coalition and Bicycling magazine
  • Bike to Work Day awards from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
  • A bike ride down San Francisco's picturesque Embarcadero
  • Live music from the band Rhythm Matrix
  • Registration for Bike to Work Day held on Thursday, May 19
  • A juice peddler, tabling by sponsors, snacks, and free prizes

    Orange County

  • Monday, May 16 at Shimano American Corporation headquarters, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
  • Presentations from Kozo Shimano, Orange County Supervisors and Orange County Transportation Authority Board Members
  • A bike ride from Shimano headquarters to Irvine MetroLink Station
  • At Irvine MetroLink Station, winners will be presented with Southwest Airline tickets, cycling gear, golf outings and gift certificates

Since The League of American Bicyclists first established Bike to Work Day in 1956, grass roots efforts to lead these types of campaigns have sprung up across the country and encouraged the “average Joe” to commute to work by bike. “As a 60-year old woman looking to keep in shape, I joined the bike to work revolution,” said Doris Dungan, a Seattle area resident. “I gained a lot of benefits including energy, relaxation, and enjoyment of the commute each way. Cycling to work is an excellent habit to develop and the minor investment in time and a quality bike is easily paid back.”