Bike to Work Week - Events and Information
Bike Parking near the Stadium at LSU
It's May in Louisiana, and the perfect time to be outside before it gets hot! National Bike to Work Week runs May 16 through May 20, and is a perfect excuse to spend a little extra time enjoying the outdoors in what we (of course) would argue is the best manner possible - riding a bicycle.
To help get you commuting by bike, we have a bunch of resources at your disposal. First and foremost is the Baton Rouge Bike to Work Week Facebook Page where you and other Bike to Work Week participants can ask questions, learn about routes, and stay on top of Bike to Work Week events.
What kind of events, you ask?
On Wednesday, join the Capital Heights Social Ride hosting a special Hump Day Social Ride that will take you and a group of bicyclists around some of Baton Rouge's lesser known paths, trails and streets before ending down near LSU at the State Bar for some drinks and dinner.
Friday is Bike to Work Day, and you'll have the opportunity to join in a Bike Train from Capital Heights to LSU via City Park. The Bike Train will roll at 7:15, be at City Park at 7:35 and get you to your final stop at LSU at 7:55 - and will be captained by an experienced bike commuter who'll be answering your questions on routes, gear and more!
Finally on Saturday, check out the Healthy BR Family Fit Day at City Park in the morning, and then head on over to the Capital Heights Kids Bike Safety Day where your little ones can learn how to operate a bike safely and how to obey some basic road rules. The Safety Day will end with a short ride around the block in the quiet and bike friendly Capital Heights area.
We expect that a lot of you will be having a great time on bikes throughout Bike to Work Week, so we'll be rolling out the #mybikestory hashtag for you to tell the world about your bike commutes. Too often we only ever here about bike commutes when something bad happens. We'd like YOU to help change the perception that bike commuting is scary by using the #mybikestory hashtag to post about how fun, exciting, or even how mundane your daily bike commute might be!
With all these extra miles you'll be riding, be sure to sign up for the National Bike Challenge and log your rides. We'll be giving away Bike Baton Rouge T-Shirts to selected participants in the National Bike Challenge.
Speaking of T-Shirts, if you haven't yet picked up your annual Bike Baton Rouge membership then we urge you to go check that out! The annual memberships come with a Bike BR T-Shirt, a set of Blinky Lights and a Bicycling Safety Guide from the League of American Bicyclists.
We hope you enjoy Bike to Work Week! If you're looking for any advice, help or support, then please shoot us an email at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com or ask us at the Baton Rouge Bike to Work Week facebook page.
Announcing the recipients of the 2016 Mike Bitton Awards
The Mike Bitton Awards, established in 2013, honour those individuals and organizations in Baton Rouge whose work results in better bicycling in Baton Rouge. We're very excited to announce this years award recipients below - and to invite you to the awards ceremony which will take place next week Wednesday April 27th, 7pm, at the Firehouse Gallery at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge (427 Laurel Street).
This years awards go to :
David Cano of Iron Works Design LLC, who will be awarded the Bike Friendly Business Award for his work with manufacturing and installing Bike Racks in Baton Rouge.
Gilles Morin, of the City of Baton Rouge Planning Commission who will receive the Bike Friendly Ambassador Award for his long term support of bicycling projects in Baton Rouge.
Juan Cruz, of Cultural Dynamics, who will receive the Bike Friendly Professional Award for his work in supporting bicycling and walking projects amongst minorities and underrepresented communities, particularly with the Gardere Project.
Beaux Jones, former president of Bike Baton Rouge, who will be awarded the Mike Bitton Award for his services to Bike Baton Rouge as well as bicycling and walking in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and beyond.
Please come join Bike Baton Rouge, our award recipients, and our friends, members and volunteers in celebrating the great things that Baton Rouge is capable of! Snacks and drinks will be provided, and we'll have a membership sign up table if you've not already picked yours up here.
Need a reminder? Sign up at our Facebook Event.
Previous recipients of the Mike Bitton Award include :
2013
Bike Baton Rouge Bicycle Advocate Award Mike Bitton
2014
Mike Bitton Award Mark E. Martin
Bike Friendly Ambassador Award Mayor President Kip Holden
Bike Friendly Professional Award Rachel DiResto (CPEX)
Bike Friendly Business Award Chelsea's Cafe
2015
Mike Bitton Award Front Yard Bikes Dustin LaFont
Bike Friendly Ambassador Award Metro Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards
Bike Friendly Professional Award John Price
Bike Friendly Business Award Bet-R Grocery
Dustin LaFont and the kids of Front Yard Bikes
Press release - Bike Baton Rouge announce winners of annual Mike Bitton Awards
4/19/16
Baton Rouge, LA
Bike Baton Rouge today announced the recipients of their annual Mike Bitton Awards that recognize community members who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to make Baton Rouge a better place to bike. The Mike Bitton Awards are named after former LSU student Mike Bitton, who became a spokesperson and advocate for bicycle safety and awareness following a hit and run crash on River Road that left Mike with life threatening injuries.
Award recipients will include David Cano of Iron Works Design LLC, who will be awarded the Bike Friendly Business Award for his work with manufacturing and installing Bike Racks in Baton Rouge; Gilles Morin, of the City of Baton Rouge Planning Commission who will receive the Bike Friendly Ambassador Award for his long term support of bicycling projects in Baton Rouge; Juan Cruz, of Cultural Dynamics, who will receive the Bike Friendly Professional Award for his work in supporting bicycling and walking projects amongst minorities and underrepresented communities, particularly with the Gardere Project; and finally Beaux Jones, former president of Bike Baton Rouge, who will be awarded the Mike Bitton Award for his services to Bike Baton Rouge as well as bicycling and walking in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and beyond.
Kellen Gilbert, Bike Baton Rouge board member and organizer of the Awards ceremony said “We think it is important to recognize and celebrate the individuals and businesses who are dedicated to making Baton Rouge a better and safer community for all who people who ride bicycles, who walk and who run. The ceremony will honor those who go above and beyond for all of us.”
The award ceremony will take place at 7pm on Wednesday April 27th at the the Firehouse Gallery at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge (427 Laurel Street). Bike Baton Rouge members, non-members and the general public are invited to join Bike Baton Rouge and our award recipients for some fun, food and festivities.
For more information, visit bikebr.org, look up Bike Baton Rouge on facebook, or email Bike Baton Rouge at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
Press release - Bike Baton Rouge and Varsity Sports support SB 171 with Run / Ride event
4/11/16
Baton Rouge, LA
Bike Baton Rouge and Varsity Sports will be holding a short three mile Run / Bike Ride event on Monday, April 11th beginning at the State Capitol. The events are being held to raise awareness for Senate Bill No. 171 which will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee C on Tuesday, April 12th. SB 171 aims to increase penalties for motorists who kill or maim vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists due to distracted or dangerous driving.
“We hope that the members of the Judiciary Committee will see our event and recognize the number of bicyclists and runners there who support this bill so strongly that they’re willing to come out be counted,” said Mika Torkkola, of Bike Baton Rouge.
The run, which is put on by Varsity Sports, a running store with a location in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, will begin at 5:30 pm, and the bike ride, organized by Bike Baton Rouge, will take to the same route at 6:00 pm. Both events are open to runners and bicyclists of all ages and abilities. Bicyclists are asked to make sure they have front and rear tail lights per Louisiana law.
Senate Bill No. 171 will be heard starting from 9:30 am on Tuesday, April 12th. Both Bike Baton Rouge and Varsity Sports members will be present at the hearing, representing Baton Rouge and Louisiana bicyclists and runners respectively.
For more information, visit bikebr.org, look up Bike Baton Rouge on facebook, or email Bike Baton Rouge at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
Press release - Bike Baton Rouge announces meeting dates and new board members
March 3, 2016
Baton Rouge, LA
Bike Baton Rouge, a non-profit bicycle advocacy organization, will hold a general meeting on Wednesday, March 9 to introduce its newest board members and give Baton Rouge bicyclists a look at their plans for 2016. Mark Martin, long time Chair of Bike Baton Rouge, will be joined by Kellen Gilbert, Alaric ‘Ric’ Haag, Doug Moore, Samantha Morgan, Claire Pittman and Mika Torkkola as the new board of Bike Baton Rouge.
“As a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, I’ve been encouraged by all the growth over the past decade. Bike Baton Rouge can be a strong advocate for continuing that growth, which is why I wanted to join the board. I truly love this city and feel it has a lot to offer” said Samantha Morgan.
Mark Martin, founder and current Chair of Bike Baton Rouge, will step down from that position at the end of June. He says he’s proud of what the organization has accomplished and feels he’ll be leaving Bike Baton Rouge in good hands.
“We’ve seen increasing numbers of bicyclists in many parts of Baton Rouge,” said Martin. “I like to think that number will continue to grow.”
Mika Torkkola, a longtime Bike Baton Rouge member, volunteer, and advocate, will take over Martin’s position as Chair in July.
The general meeting will take place at Brew Ha Ha (711 Jefferson Hwy) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9th. Both Bike Baton Rouge members and non-members are welcome at the meeting.
For more information, visit bikebr.org, look up Bike Baton Rouge on facebook, or email Bike Baton Rouge at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
Press release - Bike Baton Rouge seeking nominations for annual Bicycle Ambassador Awards
February 25, 2016
Baton Rouge, LA
Bike Baton Rouge is seeking nominations for the 2016 Mike Bitton Bicycle Ambassador Award. The honor goes to an individual who, like Mike, has demonstrated commitment, determination and action to make Baton Rouge a better and safer place to bicycle and who inspires the rest of us to do the same. Last year's Mike Bitton Bicycle Ambassador Award went to Dustin LaFont, founder of Front Yard Bikes, Baton Rouge's first community bike shop.
"The Mike Bitton Awards are our biggest event of the year," said Mika Torkkola, Bike Baton Rouge Board Member. "They're an excuse to come out and celebrate the good things that are happening for bicycling in Baton Rouge and to recognize the people who are behind them."
Nominations will be accepted through March 19th, 2016, and can be submitted via email to bikebatonrouge@gmail.com. Nominations should include the name of the nominee, and a brief description of their contributions to bicycling in Baton Rouge. Nominations for this year's Bike Friendly Business and Bike Friendly Professional are also being accepted at the same email address.
"All too often we don't stop and recognize the good things that are going on in Baton Rouge", Torkkola added. "Baton Rouge is a much better place to ride a bike than it was even just a few years ago - and it's largely thanks to the the efforts of the people who will be receiving these awards."
The awards ceremony will be held at the Firehouse Gallery at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge (427 Laurel Street) on Wednesday, April 27th.
For more information, visit bikebr.org, look up Bike Baton Rouge on facebook, or email Bike Baton Rouge at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
