After organizing more than 75 events during June, Boulder's Walk & Bike Month organizers were very pleased Bike to Work Day on June 24 drew more than 7,000 registrants, including people who live in Boulder or commuted to Boulder for the event. It was the second highest turnout in the 33-year history of Boulder's pedestrian- and bike-focused activities.
"Despite a very wet June and gas prices much lower than last year's $4 a gallon rate, we almost reached last year's record number of registrants," said Sue Prant, Boulder's director for Walk & Bike Month. "We're pleased and impressed with the turnout."
Boulder's Walk & Bike Month kicked off on May 31 when more than 600 riders showed up at Scott Carpenter Park in Boulder and participated in the Boulder-360, a slow bike cruise circumventing Boulder via trails and bike paths. From there, the intensity of events picked up with Nordic Walking clinics, one of them hosted by former Olympian Annette Tennander Bank; Luna Chix mountain bike skills clinics; kids bike rodeos to teach kids basic biking skills; a core bike skills clinic by bike guru Lee McCormack; an urban duathlon hosted by Fleet Feet, Full Cycle and Pearl Izumi; a Happy Hour event at The Peloton with games and great prizes; a Vintage Bike Swap at the Boulder Farmers Market that hosted hundreds of bikes for sale or for swap; a carb-loading extravaganza in preparation for Bike to Work Day; and much more.
On Bike to Work Day itself, almost 7,100 riders participated and visited some of the 40 stations throughout Boulder for free breakfast. Smiling volunteers flipped pancakes, served eggs and poured juice for hungry bikers before their morning commutes. Some breakfast stations saw lines around the block. The day wrapped up with the Bike Shorts film fest at the Boulder Theater, where viewers watched a dozen short bike-related films while tons of prizes were given away, including two Electra Cruisers donated by Pedal to Properties of Boulder, which served as title sponsor for the second straight year. "This is a great event for Boulder County and Pedal to Properties," said founder and President Matt Kolb. "We love being part of the good vibe around biking and walking in town."
Prant was very pleased with the level of sponsor support this year, which she said contributed 20 percent more toward the cost of insuring and hosting many of these events. In fact, sponsors now help cover a majority of the cost of this month-long celebration of Boulder's bicycle and pedestrian lifestyle, she said. She also gave big credit to Community Cycles, a local nonprofit dedicated to expanding cycling in Boulder County, for organizing most of the events.
Prant said she hopes some of the good feelings she saw and heard during June's activities, including all the riders out for Bike to Work Day, translates into a few more walkers and bikers who avoid car trips around town. "If we can all commit to riding or taking the bus or walking more than we do today, we can continue toward making Boulder a special place that others will look to as a beacon of innovation."