It’s National Bike To Work Week

With the weather finally breaking there are a few things we run to, the sun and fun in the sun. Living in Buffalo can be difficult especially when it feels like we are living in the tundra for months on in so when the sun finally breaks we are finding ways to be outside.

One activity since the pandemic that I have picked up on that gives me fun in the sun and keeps me active is riding my bike. When I ride with my friends from Bike Gang Buffalo I realized not only was riding a bike fun and a way to enjoy my friends but truly a way to release stress, stay active and explore my city from a closer view.

Credit: DJ Spin

Since I started riding my bike I realized there is a full community the speaks to the bike culture. The bike culture in Buffalo is robust and breeds opportunity for many to have no excuse not to ride and one even that I have recently learned about is that this week is National Bike To Work Week.

Some of these organizations locally that have pushed the Bike culture forward are organizations like GOBike Buffalo, Slow Roll Buffalo, and Reddy BikeShare. These organizations are three that introduced me to the many opportunities and benefits in the bike culture.

By Yasmin Young

If you didn't know May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to giving biking a try. So this leads us to the national Bike to Work Week 2021 that take place May 17-23, 2021 and Bike to Work Day is on Friday, May 21.

This year I am joining in on the fun and have decided to ride my bike for the Bike to Work Day this Friday and attend one of the free events happening in buffalo and one happens to be the First Annual Open Streets Bike To Work Day event.

Being able to enjoy the outdoors – walking, exercising, getting fresh air – is an important part of living a healthy, happy life. With limited parking space in our area, and the need to still stay safely socially distant from one another, finding fun in the sun is now and using our streets is now a go to. For the first Open Streets event brought to you by BNMC, they will be closing Washington Street between Carlton and High Streets to traffic and use the space for healthy activities, starting off with a Bike to Work Day breakfast for anyone who rides their bike to the event. Breakfast for the first 50 riders will be FREE.

Bike Gang Buffalo Riders participate in a day time ride at The Freedom Wall

What I am excited about is that there will be many healthy fun activities until 2 pm. You can register for them here.There will be food trucks, D.J.s, giveaways and so much more.

I know that if it wasn't for the time we had during the pandemic I would have never picked up getting back into a child hood pleasure of exploring my neighborhood on my bike. Now I don't just explore m neighborhood but I will be repairing myself to ride to work. Will you?