Coastin Carl
🏙️ BIKE to WORK Month ORIGIN & HISTORY
New Zealand is the country that made February the month to encourage biking to work. Cycling in New Zealand as a form of commuting or shopping is low due to safety factors. Christchurch became the top city in New Zealand for bicycling in the early 20th century. One out of every two people bike as a form of exercise and hence BIKE to WORK Month is observed in the month of February.
A Little History
The history of the bike started in New Zealand with the velocipede or boneshaker, a type of bicycle that reached the Kiwi state in the 1860s. Velocipedes basically had two wheels while needing to push your feet against the ground to propel forward. Thankfully the bike design improved since then and that led to cycling becoming a form of transportation.
In the 1950s and 60s, there was a big push for favoring motor vehicles. More people moved from using bikes to being dependent upon automobiles. New Zealand is one of those countries with the highest dependence on cars. In the 1970s however, there was an oil shortage that led to a bicycle resurgence. By that time, roads had become dangerous for people so using bikes for recreation became the way to go, and commuting took a back seat.
In 1944 helmets became mandatory which further made Kiwis reluctant to use a bicycle. Wearing a helmet is a very good safety practice even if you’re reluctant.
A number of local communities have made strides to make both cycling and walking a friendly environment. Although there’s an initiative to motivate people to walk and bike, there’s a greater push for motor vehicles, roads, and highway infrastructure that doesn’t cater to walkers or cyclists.
So far there’s been a staggering amount of deaths from bicycle crashes, so a $100 million Urban Cycleway Fund was started in 2014 to create a safe space for people to bike to work. Most of these cycleways were apportioned from old railroad trails as we do in the United States. So now you can see why and how New Zealanders waffled back and forth on the subject of the humble bicycle.
🚲 HOW to Celebrate & Observe BIKE to WORK Month?
Not sure how to LOVE the month? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities that you can do during BIKE to WORK Month!
💙 BIKE to work
‘Nuff said.
💙 FORM a bike conga line
Share your enthusiasm and energy with work colleagues. Put together a group of coworkers to form a bicycling transport ride-share. Make sure it’s a safe route and have snacks post-exercise for those taking the bike to work initiative.
💙 TRAIN the young Padawan learners
Teach a child to ride a bike or to practice their limited biking skills. Better yet, teach an adult that either missed the boat growing up or hasn’t ridden in years.
💙 RAISE Social Awareness
Use social media posts with the hashtags #BiketoWorkMonth, #BikeCommute, #BikeEverywhere, #Cycling, #SpecialInterestHolidays, #FebruaryHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ BIKE to WORK Month.
LEARN more about how to RIDE A BIKE without training wheels
SEVEN Fun Facts you never knew about BIKE to WORK Month
- Bicycles are faster than cars during rush hour. Cars also produce .97 lbs of pollution per mile.
- Saves entire forests. Far less rubber goes into a bike versus a car. This helps prevent the clearing of entire forests for rubber.
- People who bike or walk to work have better blood pressure, insulin levels, and lower triglycerides.
- Depending on your weight, you can burn as much as 215 to 500 calories cycling to work.
- People who start biking to work say their overall health has improved since taking up the practice.
- The cost of using a car per year on average is $8000 vs $308 with a bike.
- The longest tandem bike ever built had 35 seats and was about 67 feet long!
Famous PEOPLE also born during the month of February
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Clark Gable
American film actor referred to as the “King of Hollywood” best known for movies like “Gone With the Wind”. The public once thought he had toothpicks behind his ears as they were one of the largest in the business. He never tried to hide the fact that he descended from black and Native American heritage. Born 1901.
CLARK GABLE Quote
The only reason they come to see me is that I know that life is great, and they know I know it.
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Boris Yeltsin
Member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union & first President of the Russian Federation through an open election. Born 1931.
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Harry Styles
English singer/songwriter who started his career appearing on “The X Factor” usually sporting wild & unruly hair. Best known for being a member of one of the best-selling boy bands of all time – One Direction. Born 1994.
HARRY STYLES Quote
A dream is only a dream … until you decide to make it real.
Future DATES for BIKE to WORK Month
| Year | Date | Month of the Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | February 1 | February |
| 2024 | February 1 | February |
| 2025 | February 1 | February |
| 2026 | February 1 | February |
| 2027 | February 1 | February |
| 2028 | February 1 | February |
🚴♀️ Cycling FAQ
Is cycling DANGEROUS?
- The truth is nothing in life is entirely risk-free, but if you’re careful and vigilant, accidents don’t have to happen. Despite what you hear on the news, reports of bike accidents are rare but do happen. Safety with cycling is always important.
CAN a tire get punctured on the way to work from road debris?
- This can happen of course and it isn’t fun. The best policy is installing tires that are treated for puncture prevention. Schwalbe Marathon Plus is a brand of tire that practically eliminates punctures. Also cycling on days when it’s not raining or roads that aren’t wet increases the prevention of punctures.
How HIGH should your saddle or seat be?
- Many beginning bikers want to feel stable so they set the saddle low to put their feet down on the ground to prevent tipping over. For comfort in distance riding, the saddle should really be high enough so that your knee is at a 25 to 35-degree angle when your foot is at the bottom of the rotation.
Why we L💜VE BIKE to WORK Month
Biking to work is fun and makes us feel like a kid zipping around the neighborhood. There are many factors that can affect your bike workout such as the number of hills you tackle or how fast you pedal. If you’re able and employment is not too far, these are some reasons you should think about biking to work … starting in BIKE to WORK Month.
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It’s HEALTHY
Cycling can burn as many calories as jogging and be gentler on your joints. Getting daily exercise boosts brainpower preventing cognitive decline, sharpening memory and learning, thereby improving brain function. Biking to work saves you lots of money for private vehicles or public transportation. So making exercise important cuts the cost of healthcare.
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FREEDOM
Bike to work offers an opportunity to avoid being stuck in traffic jams or hunting for a parking spot. You can easily stop for a sandwich or at a coffee shop during lunch, on your way to work, or on your way home. Using your bike allows you to go outside and get some much-needed post-pandemic fresh air. You deserve it.
