Here’s a Me and My bike submission from Kiersten Batzli.  There’s still time to submit your story as part of our weekly challenge!

What I like most about my bike is that it gives me the freedom to explore and enjoy wherever I’m going.  I’m much more aware of where I am and what’s going on around me when I’m on my bike and so I don’t miss out on awesome things that I might not notice if I were in a car.

Being on my bike makes me feel more connected and I can ride my bike to get to know a place.  I particularly liked riding the Tour de Troit last year — I saw more of Detroit than I would have otherwise!

My friends and I ride our bikes to favorite places in Dexter and Ypsilanti for good food and good company and it’s always nice to ride back on warm nights with our lights all blinking.

I also love riding the dirt roads north of town on nice days, and I like that I can jump off my bike to look at the horses or help a turtle trying to cross the road.  I’m looking forward to exploring new places with my bike this summer!

May 18 Ann Arbor Bike to Work Day Celebrates Bike Commuting Day and Night

Morning Bike Commuting Stations, evening Bike Bash among the awesome activities.

Bike Commuters in Ann Arbor have a lot to look forward to during national Bike to Work Day.  The getDowntown Program, along with the City of Ann Arbor, numerous bike shops, bike organizations, businesses and others are offering great bike commuting activities all day Friday, May 18th.

“Whether you are a first timer or a seasoned bike commuter, we’ve got something planned for you!” says Nancy Shore, Director of the getDowntown Program.

Bike to Work Day caps off Ann Arbor Bike to Work Week.

Bike to Work Day 2012 Events, May 18th

Bike Commuting Stations for Bike to Work Day (May 18, various locations, 7am-9am)
Bike Shops, organizations and businesses will be setting up bike commuting stations throughout Ann Arbor where cyclists can get free coffee, tea, snacks, repairs, and swag.

Bike Commuting Stations:

• Ann Arbor City Hall (7:45-8:45am)
• Zingerman’s Deli and Two Wheel Tango Station: Ann Arbor YMCA (7:00-9:00am)
• Common Cycle, RoosRoast and UM Station: Hanover Park (7:00-9:00am, Division and Packard, across from Blimpy Burger)
• babo Market and WBWC Station: (7:00-9:00am)
• Clean Energy Coalition Border to Border Station: (7:00-9:00am)
• Wheels in Motion and Biggby Coffee Station: North University and State (7:00-9:00am, at the entrance to the Diag)
• Sic Transit and Mighty Good Coffee Station (7:00-9:00am, Broadway)
• People’s Food Co-op and Cafe Verde (7:00-9:00am, Food Co-op, Kerrytown)

For more details about bike commuting stations, click here

Bike to Work Day Rides
Local Bike Groups and others will be leading rides on Bike to Work Day for bike commuters.

• Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor: Group Bike Commute, May 18, 7:15-8:30am, Beezys Cafe (Ypsilanti)
• Bike Ambassador Rides, May 18, varied morning rides
• Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition: Group Ride to Bike Bash, May 18, 5:15-5:30pm, Liberty Plaza

Click here for more information about these rides

Bike Bash 2012, May 18, 5:30-8:00pm, Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market Space

Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, Bike Bash is a party to celebrate all things biking!

• Musical entertainment from Joe Reilly and Lori Fithian.
• Food and drinks from Pilar’s Tamales, Silvio’s Pizza, Mighty Good Coffee, Mity Nice Ice and Everyday Wines.
• A bike bling station where you can paint your own bike bell and make your own spoke card.
• Bike commuting classes from AAPD Officer Kathy Vonk
• Michigan Freeride Bicycle Show
• King and Queen Bike Commuter competition
• WBWC photo booth
• Valet Bike Parking
• More!

King and Queen Bike Commuter Competition, May 18, 7pm, Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market
During Bike Bash 2012 (May 18, 5:30-8:00pm, Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market Space) getDowntown will be crowning the King and Queen Bike Commuter of 2012. Winners will receive a sweet bike helmet crown.

More information on the King and Queen Bike Commuter Competition, click here

The getDowntown Program provides commuting information and resources to employees in downtown Ann Arbor.  The getDowntown Program is a Program of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) and is a partnership between the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, The City of Ann Arbor, and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

Ines is a woman on the go, with her bike in tow! Check out Ines submission for the Bike to Work Week Weekly Challenge.

What my bike means to me? For me my bike means freedom.  There is nothing that compares to being able to use my bike for commuting everywhere I go around Ann Arbor.  It also gives me a sense of independence and accomplishment.  I always carry 2 bike bags and it is amazing how much I can carry with me, especially when I stop to get groceries or dinner on my way home. It only takes a little bit of planning, as I have found out, and I rarely need the car.  Also, biking is so much more peaceful than driving.  I’m enjoying finding new routes to go to/from work, and especially enjoy biking through campus.  I’m thankful to the Commuter Challenge for inspiring me, yet one more year, to participate in the Challenge and to enjoy the freedom of bike commuting.

Ines – US, EPA

Neil commutes into work on his bicycle to reduce his carbon footprint, while getting some exercise and enjoying nature’s beauty. Doesn’t sound like too shabby of a commute to us! Read what Neil has to say in his Me and My Bike submission.

My bike is one of my most valuable possessions. It is a great way for me to get some exercise and reduce my carbon foot print. It allows me to avoid the hassle of parking and the rising cost of gas.  So far this week the weather has been great for biking to work!  It also allow me to enjoy the great outdoors – so far I have seen two deer, a rabbit, and lots of different birds (cardinals, robins, Canadian geese, etc.) on my commute route this week. Ann Arbor is a very bike friendly place to commute so get out there a bike – go Blue!

Neil – University of Michigan

Commuters! Long time no see!

Itching to find out today’s Leader Board Standings? Well you’re in luck–we looked at some different measures today, and of course, came up with some new winners! Here’s the scoop:

Most commutes logged and MOST miles commuted: Irene Clarke from WCC! She has logged 14 commutes totaling 189 miles!

Most commutes logged and LEAST miles commuted: Viktoria Salzmann from the UM Life Sciences Institute! She has also logged 14 commutes–for a whopping total of 14 miles! Now that’s my kind of commute!

Most unique types of commutes logged: Leah Peters from the UM Health System! Leah has pretty much tried it all during the Commuter Challenge: Run, Bus, Vanpool/Carpool, Moped/Motorcycle, and Train!

Way to go, leaders! You’ll soon be receiving emails announcing and celebrating your accomplishments, along with some awesome prizes donated from local downtown businesses!

Our first Weekly Challenge submission comes from Leah, who being the thrifty and green-minded commuter she is, found her bike hanging out in the dumpster behind her apartment! See what Leah has to say about her commuting life post dumpster dive.

I got my used bike in a dumpster behind my apartment in Kerrytown about a year ago. While I have a car and am able to walk to most places in Ann Arbor, owning this bike has truly enhanced my day-to-day life. Not only does it get me places quickly, but weekend bike rides around Ann Arbor are the best. This picture is of me locking up near Wave Field on North Campus. It was a leisurely ride and somewhere I wouldn’t have gone if it weren’t for my bike. My favorite attribute about my bike, however, is that it gets me in the door at work faster than any other mode of transportation. While driving my car is quick, parking in the parking structure near my office is a pain and it can take me 5-10 minutes just to find a spot. Alternatively, I’m able to ride my bike nearly as fast as a car (due to traffic and speed limits) and park on a bike rack just outside my building. Thanks to my bike, I never have an excuse to be late!

Leah

Thanks for sharing, Leah! Pretty impressive tale.

Do you love commuting on your bike? Are you new to bike commuting, and want to share your story? Check out the Bike to Work Week Weekly Challenge and tell us your story!

Send us a photo of you and your commuter bike hanging out, biking to work, etc. Tell us what your bike means to you. If we post your story on our blog, you’ll receive a getDowntown Bike Light and a chance to win one of (5) $50 gift certificates from a local bike shop of your choice!

Me and My Bike (May 13-19)

Sponsored by Common Cycle

Send us a photo of you and your commuter bike hanging out, biking to work, etc.  Tell us what your bike means to you.  If we post your story on our blog, you’ll receive a getDowntown Bike Light and chance to win one of 5 $50 gift certificates from a local bike shop of your choice.  Send your pics and words to info@getdowntown.org.

The 2012 Commuter Challenge is off to a great start, with almost 300 organizations signed up to participate! Here are the leading organizations in each challenge category:

• 1 Person Organization: Self-Employed
• 2-10 Person Organization: Dascola Barbers
• 11-25 Person Organization: Clean Energy Coalition
• 26-50 Person Organization: MyBuys
• 51-100 Person Organization: Washtenaw Friend of the Court
• 101-500 Person Organization: Infor Global Solutions
• 500+ Person Organization: UM School of Public Health

Check out where your organization stands and keep logging those sustainable commutes to bring your workplace to the top of the list!

We here at getDowntown have received quite a lot of comments lately from professional ladies who want to bike to work but don’t want to look like they bike to work.  Meaning they want to be able to wear nice shoes, a skirt, not arrive sweaty and avoid helmet hair.

I’m here to tell you that it can be done!  But first, let me present to you, Exhibit A:

This is from Cycle Like a Stringer and there are plenty more where that came from.

Hints and tips for biking to work without looking like you bike to work

• Fashionable Bike Shoes:
  
  • From everything I have read, you can bike in high heels.  Here’s a great post that has several profiles of women who bike in high heels.
  • Here are some nice shoes that women have called out as good for bike commuting: Wedges, some nice Dansko Shoes (which I also recommend, scroll to the bottom of the post to see the shows), and some Merrell Shoes made for bike commuting.
  • Bring your shoes and wear something else: Another option that many people mention (and I definitely do) is to bring your nice shoes to work and wear something else on your way there.
• Avoiding the sweat-factor:
  • Dress in layers: When you first start biking in the morning, you may be a little chilly.  So grab a jacket that you can quickly remove as the temp warms up.
  • Take it slow: Take it slow on your way to work to avoid working up a sweat
  • Ride the bus to work and bike home: You could also put your bike on the bus so that you don’t have to worry about the sweat on the way to work.
  • Wear breathable cotton clothing and light dresses and skirts to keep you cool.
  • Wear whatever on your way to work and bring shorts and a t-shirt so you can change into someone lighter for the often hotter bike ride home.
  • Only ride when the temps will be less than 70 degrees.
  • For a little sweat you might get, bring a towel and some deodorant to work.
• Avoiding helmet hair
  • It’s usually best to have a low maintenance ‘do when you bike to work.  If you can easily brush out your hair when you get to work, helmet hair shouldn’t be a problem.
  • Skip the product: Keep it natural and your hair should be fine.
  • Use hair-ties and headbands, which usually are fine in a professional setting.
  • Make sure your hair is completely dry so it won’t crease with the helmet on.
  • Smooth out your hair and tuck it behind your ears before you get going so that it won’t be flying all over the place as you bike.
• For more inspiration, check out these great blogs
  • Cycle like a Stringer
  • She rides a bike
  • Veloculture
  • Velo Vogue
  • Girls and Bicycles
  • The Bird Wheel
  • One Woman.  Many Bicycles.

Got some hints or tips to share?  Post them in our comments section.

And don’t forget, we’ve got some beginning bike commuting classes happening in May.  Click here to learn more.