Friday Is ‘Ride Your Bike To Work Day’ Here’s #WhyIRide [Video]

The cycling community has been having urban bike commuters to share the reasons why they ride to work on Twitter using the hash tag #WhyIRide.

Here's why I ride, and why you should give it a try on 'Ride Your Bike To Work Day', Friday, May 15.

The top five reasons why I ride my bike to work (at least from April to November, I'm not THAT hardcore. Yet.)

1. Because I can. In late summer, 1982, my good friend Dick and I were sitting in a bar in Saginaw. He was about to start graduate school in a few weeks and he wanted to end on the summer on a high note. So he suggested we get on our bikes and ride around Lake Huron, satrting the next day. I woke up the next morning hungover, and realized I didn't have a bike. I borrowed my girlfriend's beat up ten speed and we set out on an adventure unlike any other I've been on. Dick lost his battle with melanoma in December 2010. I ride because he taught me you can see the world differently from a slow ride through the city, and because I still can.

2. Because it's interesting. Do you know what the city looks like at 4:00am under a summer moonlight? It's beautiful. On the way in, I see wonderful wild animals scurrying about. On the way home, I see people out for walks and runs. Sometimes people yell at me, and sometimes they give me a thumbs up. No two mornings are the same, they all have their special something.

3. Because it's healthy. Grand Rapids has hills. Lots of hills. So if I do nothing more than bike to and from work, I will have gotten my daily exercise in.

4. Because it saves me money. Okay, I'm not going to get rich riding to work, but I do save a few gallons a week.

5. Because my old bike is my friend. Some people have affinity towards their dogs, and some their bikes. My Cannondale is 20 years old, and although it slips a gear or two every now and then, like me, it's still kickin'. I hope it never grows old.

Here's some great resources for biking in Grand Rapids if you ever want to take the plunge.

PedalGR: Essentially a site that highlights bi-weekly group rides through the city, this site has wonderful links about all things cycling, Grand Rapids and beyond.

Bike To Work Day Pit Stops: Did you know there are people serving up refreshments and givnig away free stuff on Bike Tor Work Day. Here's the locations of the pit stops for Friday that I'll miss because I'm up too early.

The Spoke Folks: A downtown bike co-op that offers work space and help in keeping your bike tuned up and rolling.

Bicycling In Grand Rapids: A guide put out by Amway that's pretty helpful for the novice or anyone new to town.

A Guide To Bike Commuting I: Everything you need to know.

A Guide To Bike Commuting II: The basics, and then some.

The joy of cycling in Grand Rapids!