Bike to Work and/or Beer

I’ve gotten in touch with my inner lawyer, and feel compelled to clarify that today is Bike to Work Day–and not, as I wrote yesterday, Bike to Beer Day

Yes, there is a Bike to Beer event today sponsored by my local bike advocacy organization and a local tavern.

Drunk Cyclist Sticker
The Pride of Flagstaff, AZ

But today is Bike to Work Day across the country.

Does it strike anyone besides me that Bike to Work Day smacks of low expectations?

Bike to Work Day is to dedicated commuters what Saint Patrick’s Day is to our friends over at Drunk Cyclists. It’s for amateurs, but it’s the least they can do.

If you’ve been paying attention at all to any bike blogs and social media this week, you’ve come across that guy who leaves a comment saying, Every week is Bike to Work Week.

And I’ve encountered at least one bike shop that boycotts Bike to Work Week out of ornery spite because, they say, it lowers expectations too much.

I don’t agree.

Many motorists have good intentions about biking to work. It’s the reality of biking that gets in the way. But at least good intentions are a starting point.

If you were a minster, wouldn’t you save your best sermons for Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday–in order to make people want to come year round? Isn’t that better than greeting strangers with, Go to hell, as they approach the church gate?

Planted Bike
Would you sit on this planted bike and let me hand you a beer? Would that work for you?

But for me, Bike to Work Day is pushing the limits on how low the bar can go.

Yay! It’s Bike Month!

Can’t do that? Okay.

It’s Bike to Work Week!

Still too difficult?

Hey! How about Bike to Work Day?

No?

Point Your Bike In The Direction Of Your Workplace Day?

Flip Through a Bike Magazine Day?

Bike to Beer? Now we’re talking!

Or is it bike advocacy reduced to it’s most desperate? Either way, I suppose I’ll take it.

I like beer.

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