Bike to Work Day — Small Changes with Big Impact
A New Cycle — Recognizing the prosperous growth of healthy and eco-friendly habits and days of observance like Bike to Work Day and many more!
A 65-YEAR OLD TRADITION
The first ever National Bike Month occurred in May of 1956 in an effort to create awareness of the benefits of bicycling — and each year, on the third Friday of May, we celebrate National Bike to Work Day.
This annual day of acknowledgement and celebration not only promotes the use of an alternative mode of transportation in biking, but also to reinforce consciousness and appreciation towards cyclists on the roads as some individuals commute in this manner to and from work each day.
As there is an increasing number of people who now use bicycles as their go-to vehicle for the daily work commute, it’s vital to understand road safety for cyclists and other drivers. It is necessary for both parties to be cognizant of and abide by all traffic laws.
Regions all over the nation are progressively adding bike lanes or sidewalks to improve street safety: According to The League of American Bicyclists, during the decade following 2000, the number of individuals who biked to and from work increased by over 47% within the United States.
THE BENEFITS
National Bike to Work Day encourages the bicycle commute as a dependable and robust alternative for traveling to and from work.
The most common notion towards biking benefits is, of course, physical fitness: Those who cycle perform an aerobic exercise on their way to work, and on the way home. In addition, biking is considered a low impact workout that isn’t too tough on people’s joints, as opposed to an activity like jogging.
But biking to work isn’t just healthy for commuters, it’s healthy for the environment too. Participating in Bike to Work Day serves as a method of conservation of fuel costs, which keeps more of their money in their hands and reduces the commuter’s carbon footprint.
SMALL CHANGES MAKING A BIG IMPACT
Just like riding your bike, there are various means of not only establishing one’s healthy lifestyle, but doing the same for the environment around them as well — here are a couple ways that anyone can try!
Switching to reusable bottle: A reusable water bottle requires less oil to make, while replacing all the potential plastic that would be utilized — thus, reducing both one’s carbon footprint and aiding in the reduction of plastic waste proliferation within landfills and waterways.
Make a garden: No matter how little or large, a garden is a great way to assist local wildlife in thriving and to advocate for effective and sustainable agriculture by decreasing costs for food transportation and limiting water runoff. All types of organisms are able to positively gain from local gardening, as it establishes healthy routines and enhances the overall environmental impact.
Reduce your water footprint: As a society, we utilize water for many things: when we make food, when we drink, and when we wash or clean things — and additionally for the production of materials and resources like clothing, agriculture, and paper. Despite sounding like something we may not be able to limit our use of, there are tons of ways and tips to decrease water footprint on an individual level and communal one too.
Here at spotLESS Materials, we uphold a two-fold prioritization: To ensure the cleanliness and longevity of household surfaces, while also fostering sustainable practices and promoting impactful environmental stewardship!