Cyclists gear up for Bike-to-Work

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The national Bike-to-Work Week event across the country is expected to attract a record number of area participants, as gas prices continue to reach record highs.

Eric Gilliland, 37, executive director of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), which co-sponsors the event, said that more than 6,000 people participated last year and the number is expected to reach 7,000 this year.

Jeff Peel, 30, of the League of American Bicyclists, another co-sponsor, said the number of cyclists in the region is increasing because "people realize it's a great way to free up the streets, help in the fight against global warming, stay fit and save money."

He also said trails are now being built for commuting, not just for recreational use and that municipalities continue to add parking for bikes, which makes riding to work more practical.

The weeklong event, which includes Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, also is being promoted by Commuter Connections, a free service of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

The groups will have 26 "pit stops" across the region. The Rosslyn pit stop in Arlington has its own Facebook page and incentives for riders to go to the stops to receive a free T-shirt.

"I already registered and excited to see if I will get there in time to get a T-shirt," said Brandon Curry, 24, a loan officer for City Line Mortgage, of Silver Spring.

The region already has programs to help those who commute by bicycle and is helping to add more.

The 1,450 Metro buses that traverse the region can carry two bicycles each. And unlike Metro's subway trains, bicycles are allowed on buses during rush hours. There are no fees for carrying bikes on the Metro system.

In addition, residents will soon be able to rent bicycles in the District. The D.C. Smart Bike program will offer 120 bikes to rent at 10 locations in the city.

WABA members are allowed free access to the bikes for up to three hours. The program is expected to start at the end of the month or in early June.

"I am a student with a limited income," said Brian Dickerson, 22, of Bethesda. "I cannot afford these gas prices, so I bought a bike and decided to bike to class and work."