Opinion | Climate Action Collaborative: Eagle County gears up for Bike to Work Day
Photo courtesy of the Climate Action Collaborative
On Wednesday, June 24, Eagle County residents are invited to trade traffic for trail time and celebrate Bike to Work Day, Colorado’s annual event promoting healthy, sustainable and fun ways to get around.
Whether you’re commuting to work, grabbing coffee, running errands, or simply looking for an excuse to enjoy a morning ride, Bike to Work Day is a chance to experience Eagle County from a different perspective, on two wheels.
Across Colorado, thousands of people participate each year by choosing a bike instead of a car for at least one trip. Here in Eagle County, riders can stop at one of nine Bike to Work Day stations throughout the valley for free refreshments, community connections, swag, and a little extra encouragement to start the day on a bike.
Small ride, big impact
Most of us do not think twice about hopping in the car for a quick trip, but transportation is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Eagle County and can be addressed by utilizing different types of transportation.
The average passenger vehicle emits about 400 grams of carbon dioxide for every mile traveled. That means a typical 10-mile round-trip commute produces nearly 9 pounds of carbon emissions. A bicycle, on the other hand, produces virtually none.
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If just 500 Eagle County residents choose to bike instead of drive for a single 10-mile round-trip commute on June 24, our community could prevent more than 4,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere in one day. That is roughly equivalent to the carbon absorbed by dozens of mature trees over an entire year.
The benefits go well beyond reducing emissions. Fewer cars on the road means less traffic congestion, cleaner air, quieter streets, and more opportunities for people to incorporate exercise into their daily routines.
Built for biking
Bike to Work Day is especially fitting in Eagle County, where the Eagle Valley Trail already serves as an important transportation corridor for residents traveling to work, school, transit stops, shopping centers, and recreation destinations.
Many locals use portions of the trail every day. For some, it provides a completely car-free commute. For others, it creates safe connections between neighborhoods and destinations throughout the valley.
Bike to Work Day highlights the importance of continuing to invest in active transportation infrastructure. The Eagle Valley Trail currently spans nearly 58 miles, with just five miles remaining to complete the full 63-mile corridor from Dotsero to Vail Pass. Completing the trail will create safer transportation options, improve connectivity between communities, and make it even easier for residents and visitors to choose low-impact ways to travel.
Join the celebration
Whether you’re a daily bike commuter, an occasional rider, or someone dusting off a bicycle for the first time this season, Bike to Work Day is for everyone.
Grab your helmet, invite a friend or coworker, and enjoy a commute that comes with fresh mountain air, beautiful scenery, and a lighter environmental footprint.
Every mile ridden is one less mile driven. That is something worth celebrating. And speaking of celebrations, don’t miss the Sole Power Plus Happy Hour events celebrating Bike to Work Day! You can find a happy hour at Vail Brewing Company in EagleVail for those up valley, and at Moe’s BBQ in Eagle for those down valley! Both will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6p.m. Hope to see you there!
Bike to Work Day takes place Wednesday, June 24. You can find station locations, event details, and ride information on the Bicycle Colorado web page. To learn more about the Eagle Valley Trail and efforts to complete the final five miles, visit the Eagle Valley Trail page.
Chantel Recksiedler is the Climate Action Collaborative coordinator. The Climate Action Collaborative is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Eagle County 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
