Bay State Bike Week offers fun, eco-friendly commuting alternatives

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Hanscom Air Force Base, along with Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, will partner with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Bay State Bike Week, May 9 through 17.

This is a free week-long challenge to Massachusetts residents and employees that encourages people to use a bicycle instead of a car.

Register to join the challenge at http://masscommutebicyclechallenge.org.

To log the miles, participants must register and complete the online form. When registering, be sure that the Hanscom team receives proper credit on the leaderboard by entering "Hanscom AFB" under the "Business" tab. 

According to the organization's website, last year riders across Massachusetts logged a total of 138,340 miles during the challenge week. "Hanscom AFB" logged 2,249 miles to finish in 13th place.

Hanscom organizers encourage base personnel to ride a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation throughout the challenge. This includes leisure biking during the weekends.

"This year we are proud to be participating again in the annual Bay State Bike Week," said Robert Spelfogel, 66th Air Base Group environmental engineer. "All bicycle riders on Hanscom -- commuters and recreational -- are encouraged to log their miles with the Mass Commuter Challenge as part of the 'Hanscom AFB' team."

According to the Masscommute Bicycle Challenge website, numerous awards will be given to top performing teams in several categories. For a complete list of prizes, visit the website http://masscommutebicyclechallenge.org/prizes/.

Lincoln Lab, recognized as a "Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Business," is participating in the event for the fifth straight year.

On Thursday, May 14 at 12 noon, riders are invited to participate in a five-mile bike tour of Hanscom AFB. Those riders interested in participating are asked to meet at Building 1825.

"Bicycle riding is healthy, inexpensive and eco-friendly form of transportation," said Spelfogel. "Bicycles don't pollute, are inexpensive to operate and are fun to use."

National Bike to Work Day, an annual event that promotes the bicycle as an option for commuting to work, is scheduled May 15.

The Bay State Bike Week event is open to everyone who bicycles during the week, not just those who bike commute throughout the challenge period.

As a reminder to all bicycle riders, 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 further information on events scheduled throughout the state, visit www.BayStateBikeWeek.org.