Bike to Work
DART cranks up to speed for Dallas' Bike to Work Day festivities
May 19 is National Bike to Work Day and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is hosting events to encourage commuters to get on two wheels.
It's being visioned as a bike-crazy day with cyclists pedaling to work, appointments, and shopping. DART has set up several "energizer" stations where bike enthusiasts can celebrate Bike to Work Day activity.
From 7-9 am, organizations such as Bike DFW, North Central Texas Council of Governments, local bike groups, shops, and area partners will be situated at DART stations (listed below), offering free bike tune-ups, treats, promotional items, and tips on safety.
The number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. continues to grow, as more people decide to combine travel with exercise; transit; savings on costs, fuel, parking fees, and car maintenance; and helping the environment.
In a 2014 report by the Alliance for Biking and Walking, Dallas came in at a low-ranking No. 47 on a list of cities with commuter bicycling and walking, far below Boston at No. 1 and Washington, D.C., at No 2. Arlington came in at No. 48 and Fort Worth came in at No. 52. There's still some opportunity for smug.
Dallas did make a top 10 list on that report, however, coming in at No. 5 for the most spending on bicycle and pedestrian projects. We know how to spend money.
Since 2011, we've had two bike czars. The most recent hire left in 2015, and has not been replaced. The city has been unable to find a replacement and has no hire on the horizon, but it spent $171,000 in January 2017 to have a consulting firm design 8 miles of bike lanes.
Energizer stations will be at the following DART locations:
- Downtown Plano Station, 1001 E. 16th St.
- Cityline/Bush Station, 1300 E. President George Bush Hwy.
- Mockingbird Station, 5465 E. Mockingbird Ln.
- St. Paul Station on Bryan Avenue in downtown Dallas
- Farmers Branch Station, 12800 Denton Rd.
- Addison Transit Center, 4925 Arapaho Rd.
- Dallas Streetcar's Oakenwald stop, 1501 N. Zang Blvd.
Stations are subject to change. Visit DART.org/Bikes or call 214-979-1111 for more information.
