Upper Valley Bike/Walk to Work Day is May 21, 2010

Hundreds of residents across the Upper Valley will be leaving their cars at home this Friday, May 21 as part of national Bike/Walk to Work Day. With increasing environmental awareness and concern about carbon footprints, this year’s annual event is expected to draw a record number of participants.

Organizers hope that the day’s activities will provide both support and encouragement to commuters who want to get out of their cars. There will be volunteers leading walking and biking groups to popular destinations, as well as celebration breakfasts at nine area locations.

In addition to being rewarded with a light breakfast, participants who attend the breakfasts will be eligible to win a number exciting prizes, including restaurant gift certificates and IBEX sportswear. Bike technicians will also be on hand at some of the breakfast to provide basic bicycle technical assistance.

The celebration breakfasts are open to all non-car commuters:

• Lebanon, NH ~ Colburn Park, downtown Lebanon; 7:00 – 8:30 am
• Lebanon, NH ~ Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Level 2 Dining Room; 6:30 - 8:30 AM
• West Lebanon, NH ~ Mascoma Savings Bank on Main Street; 7:00 - 8:30 AM
• Hanover, NH ~ Richard W Black Center, Park Street; 6:45 - 8:15 am
• Hartford, VT ~ Hartford Recreation Department, corner of Bridge St and RT 4; 7:00 - 8:30 am
• Norwich, VT ~ King Arthur Flour retail store on RT 5; 7:00 - 8:30 AM
• Claremont, NH ~ Broad Street Gazebo, downtown; 7:00 - 8:30 am
• Claremont, NH ~ Barnes Park; 7:00 - 8:30 am
• Claremont, NH ~ Claremont Cycle Depot; 7:00 - 8:30 am

This year’s Bike/Walk to Work Day event is supported by: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Hartford Parks and Recreation, Lebanon Recreation and Parks, Omer & Bobs, Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) West Lebanon, The Bike Hub, IBEX Sportswear, Mascoma Savings Bank, King Arthur Flour, Upper Valley Land Trust, Valley Regional Hospital, Best Bagel, Panera, Bagel Basement, Stonearch Bakery, Java Cup, Hannaford’s, Shaws, Price Chopper, and many more.

Bike/Walk to Work Day is co-sponsored by the Upper Valley Trails Alliance, Upper Valley Rideshare, and the Claremont Wellness Committee. For more information, please visit www.bike2work-day.com.