Bay State Bike Week scheduled

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Members of Team Hanscom, along with employees of Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, will partner with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to join in Bay State Bike Week May 13 through 21.

Bay State Bike Week is a free weeklong event for Massachusetts residents and employees that encourages people to use a bicycle instead of a car to get where they need to go.

“As part of Bay State Bike Week, the MassCommute Bicycle Challenge is held among Massachusetts businesses, educational institutions and municipalities as a free and friendly competition that encourages commuting to work by bicycle,” said Robert Spelfogel, 66th Civil Engineering Division environmental engineer. "All bicycle riders at Hanscom -- commuters and recreational -- are encouraged to log their miles with the Mass Commuter Challenge."

To log miles, participants must register and complete the online form. To register for the challenge, visit http://masscommutebicyclechallenge.org. When registering, be sure the Hanscom AFB team receives proper credit on the leaderboard by entering "Hanscom AFB" under the "Business" tab.

According to the organization’s website, last year Massachusetts riders logged a record 156,285 miles. Officials estimate that collectively riders saved more than $15,000 in gasoline.

According to the MassCommute Bicycle Challenge website, awards are given to the top performing teams in several categories. For a complete list, visit their website.

Spelfogel encourages members of Team Hanscom to ride as often as able throughout the weeklong event and to log each trip and total miles by bike. He also encourages employees to ride a bicycle as a primary mode of transportation.

"Bicycle riding is one of the best ways to enjoy commuting or exercise," said Spelfogel. "Bicycles don't pollute, are inexpensive to operate and are fun to use."

At Hanscom, bicycle riders are welcome to participate in a five-mile bike tour of Hanscom AFB that will begin at the MIT LL flagpole on Monday, May 15 at 12 noon.

The Commonwealth’s weeklong event coincides with National Bike to Work Day May 19.

As a reminder, according to the Safety Office, bicyclists must wear a properly fitted helmet with a secure head strap fastened while performing these activities on base.

For more information on bike week events offered throughout the state, visit www.BayStateBikeWeek.org.