Ride to Work Day 2011

The 20th annual Ride to Work Day is less than a month away and organizers say this year's event will be the largest ever.

This year's Ride to Work Day will take place June 20, with 13 countries around the world taking part.

Originally proposed by an editorial by Fred Rau in Road Rider magazine (now known as Motorcycle Consumer News), the Ride to Work Day campaign advocates the use of motorcycles and scooters as an everyday option for commuters.

According to the Ride to Work Day organization, Americans use over 80 million cars on the average daily commute but only about 200,000 motorcycles. But with an estimated 8 million motorcycles in the U.S., that accounts for only a small percentage of riders.

Ride to Work Day aims to demonstrate the benefits of two-wheeled transportation, including using up less resources per mile and taking up less space on roadways. The movement also seeks to improve support for motorcycling by employers, governments and the public.

Press release after the jump.

This year more riders are finding cycles and scooters to be an economical, efficient and fun way to commute. Because of this, the 20th annual worldwide Ride to Work Day is expected to be one of the largest-ever, according to Ride to Work, the non-profit organization that coordinates this annual event.
In the United States, over eighty million cars and light trucks are used for daily commuting, and about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On Ride to Work Day, the practical side of riding becomes more visible as a large number of America's 8,000,000 cycles and scooters are ridden to work.
Ride to Work Day helps demonstrate how these vehicles make parking easier and help traffic flow better. Studies have shown that across equal distances, commuting motorcyclists reach their destinations in less time than those using automobiles, and that motorcycles and scooters consume less resources per mile, and that they take up less space on roads.
Motorcycle and scooter riders seek improved employer recognition and support for this form of transportation, and more public and government awareness of the positive value of riding.
The Ride to Work website <www.ridetowork.org> includes forum areas, merchandise, information, and free promotional support materials.