Marin County enjoyed a great day on May 14 as over 4,300 cyclists participated in Bike to Work Day – contributing to the 36% regional increase over last year. Congratulations to all of you who rode your bike to work, school, or errands that day and during the first half of May. MCBC is thrilled to see more people catching the vision. Here’s a smattering of the day’s highlights in Marin:

MCBC Board member Scott Klimo rode his Penny Farthing (Big Wheel Bike) from Larkspur to the Golden Gate Bridge, across the bridge to work in San Francisco, and home again after the end-of-day party at Mike’s Bikes of Sausalito.

127 student and adult riders participated in a 2 nd annual ‘Bike to School’ train in East Corte Madera, traveling to Neil Cummins and Hall Middle Schools.

53 new members joined MCBC and 11 renewed on Bike to Work Day – this was a new record for us! These members received very cool ‘thank you’ gifts on the spot, including socks, caps, magazine subscriptions, and t-shirts. We’re glad you’re now part of the solution!

Energizer stations competed for the ‘favorite station’ vote among participants – the Civic Center station won, thanks to the breakfast served (waffles, fruit, bagels, juice and coffee), great displays about the Green Commute Program, and a raffle drawing.

Several local businesses hosted the eighteen energizer stations, donated coupons, gifts and food, including a masseuse and a chiropractor. We share our thanks with the fabulous MCBC volunteers who hosted stations, stuffed musette bags, picked up donations, and helped with numerous tasks leading up to the event. Cyclists were being cheered everywhere, including West Marin.

Feisty, gutsy, and determined. That’s this year’s Bike Commuter of the Year Clay Kaufmann (right), a third grader at Dixie School in Lucas Valley. Other bike commuters may log more daily miles, but Clay is totally committed. He and his father Mark are often seen riding their bikes in the neighborhood. Clay was honored at the great end-of-day party held at Mike’s Bikes of Sausalito. He’s ready to keep up his daily rides to school with his dad next year too!

Marin has 25 teams participating in the regional Team Bike Challenge to date. The contest runs through May 31. The Tamiscal Firebirds team is in the lead so far. Stay tuned for the winning team to be announced in June.

Join MCBC through June 15 and enter the Bike Month Sweepstakes. Grand Prize is a Vintage 1960s Schwinn 3-Speed Lightweight, donated by Joe Bunker, CPA.

We’re already brainstorming for a bigger and better event next year. Email your suggestions to joann@marinbike.org.