Every May, we look forward to a little extra commuting fun on Bike to Work Day, when thousands of bike commuters come out to connect with fellow cyclists and celebrate BikeArlington’s favorite form of active transportation!
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Bike to Work Day in the region. If you’ve attended this free annual event before, you know how much of a treat it is. If Bike to Work Day is new to you, we hope you’ll register for this year’s event on Friday, May 15, and then hop on your bike or use Capital Bikeshare to experience it for yourself. With seven pit stops in Arlington and more than 100 in the region, there’s sure to be one near your workplace or home. Not sure what to expect? Here are the Top Ten Reasons you should register and attend:
10. Enjoy free food and drink!
We’ll have lots of tasty refreshments at the BikeArlington-hosted pit stops (Ballston, Columbia Pike, and Rosslyn), including fresh fruit, healthy packaged snacks, and a variety of breakfast items, plus coffee, juice, and water.
9. Meet our great tabling partners.
More than 30 organizations will be tabling at our BikeArlington-sponsored pit stops, offering you the chance to learn about their work, access services, and pick up some giveaways.
8. Exercise before you start the work day.
No matter what your mornings look like—commuting, working from home, juggling a busy schedule, or easing into the day— a bike ride can boost your metabolism, increase mental acuity, and improve your mood.
7. Treat your bike to a safety check at all three BikeArlington pit stops.
Take advantage of this opportunity to have a bike mechanic from Conte’s, Trek, or Phoenix Bikes check out your bike and make sure it’s in good riding condition.
6. Pick up a free bike accessory.
Pick up a free bike accessory at the BikeArlington pit stops—a bell, light, or mirror—to help make your ride safer and more comfortable.
5. Mingle with other bike enthusiasts.
Have fun getting to know other cyclists and compare notes on your favorite routes, gear, and strategies for staying cool when riding in summer. You might meet a new riding buddy!
4. Welcome back the Columbia Pike pit stop.
After a few years of being on hiatus, our Columbia Pike pit stop at Penrose Square is returning. It’s long been a favorite, and we’re excited to bring it back now that construction has wrapped up along the Pike. With the Capital Bikeshare station back in its usual Penrose Square location, it’s a convenient and welcoming stop along your route.
This year also brings a new Ballston location at Welburn Square, just across from the Metro. It’s a central, high-visibility spot that’s easy to access whether you’re commuting or passing through.
3. Snag the official 2026 Bike to Work Day T-shirt! It’s free with registration.
This year’s T-shirt color is a vibrant purple heather. Some past participants have a colorful collection of official T-shirts dating back to some of the region’s earliest Bike to Work Days. Whether you’re a collector or a first-timer, enjoy adding this fresh new color to your wardrobe.
2. Be part of a longstanding Arlington tradition.
For many local riders, Bike to Work Day has become a yearly ritual—a chance to reconnect with friends and see familiar faces. Some riders even turn it into a personal challenge, mapping out routes that pass by multiple pit stops as part of their commute and making a few stops along the way. It’s a fun way to experience the event—and the network of bike lanes and trails that make biking to work possible.
1. Represent Arlington’s active transportation community.
Alongside longtime riders, there are always new participants discovering Bike to Work Day for the first time. Last year, more than 1,000 people across the region reported being first-time participants. No matter how often you ride, you’ll be doing something good for yourself and the environment—and joining a vibrant and growing community just by showing up and riding.
Learn more about Bike to Work Day and how you can participate.
See you there!
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