Celebrating 25 Years of Bike To Work Day

On Friday, May 15, Arlington County and the greater DC region celebrated the 25^th anniversary of Bike to Work Day (BTWD). Held annually during National Bike Month, this beloved event encourages commuters to try biking as a healthy, sustainable, and energizing way to get to the office, while also celebrating the arrival of warmer weather.

Bike to Work Daystands as one of the region’s most popular commuting events, and this year was no exception. More than 1,774 commuters stopped by Arlington’s seven pit stop locations, joining thousands of participants from across the region. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with community partners and vendors, receive free giveaways such as T-shirts and biking resources, and enjoy refreshments while starting the day alongside fellow cyclists.

A Growing Tradition

Bike to Work Day traces its national roots back to 1956, when the League of American Bicyclists launched the initiative. The DMV region began hosting the event in 2001, and it has grown dramatically since then, from just a few hundred participants in its early years to over ten thousand riders today.

The event is organized regionally by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), with assistance in Arlington from organizations such as BikeArlington. Together, these partners continue to make BTWD an engaging and accessible experience, offering opportunities for commuters to join group rides, explore bike-friendly routes, and incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.

Bike to Work Day by the Numbers

This year, Bike to Work Day saw strong participation across Arlington County, with more than 1,700commuters visiting the county’s seven pit stops. Rosslyn and Ballston once again emerged as the most popular locations, drawing large crowds of enthusiastic riders throughout the morning.

Arlington Pit Stops

• Ballston at Welburn Square: 518

• Rosslyn at Gateway Park: 535

• Columbia Pike at Penrose Square: 153

• National Landing at Water Park: 303

• HQ National Guard: 58

• Amazon/Met Park (afternoon): 117

• Langston Blvd (afternoon): 90

Highlights from This Year

There was plenty to celebrate at this year’s event. Arlington was home to seven pit stop locations, including the return of the Penrose Square location along Columbia Pike, which re-opened after a hiatus due to construction. Its comeback was a welcome addition for commuters in South Arlington. Another highlight was the afternoon pit stops hosted by Amazon and the Langston Blvd. Alliance at Met Park and Langston Blvd. respectively. These afternoon locations were open from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and offered commuters an additional opportunity to take advantage of the event.

In total, 40 tabling partners participated in pit stops, including organizations such as Conte’s Bike Shop and Arlington Transit to name a few. These partners provided valuable resources, information, and giveaways helping attendees learn more about biking infrastructure, transit connections, and commuting options throughout the county. The event created a vibrant environment for building community connections and supporting sustainable transportation.

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Enjoying Spring Events in Arlington Car-Free

As we start to experience sunnier days, spring is the perfect season to get outside and explore Arlington. From live music to a Memorial Day observance, the County is packed with plenty of ways to enjoy the warmer weather all season long with family-friendly activities.

To help you make the most of it, ATP has compiled some of the outdoor events happening in Arlington along with easy ways to attend them without a vehicle. So, leave the car behind, soak up the sun, and enjoy these upcoming events.

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Join Me On My Commute Part IV

Starting My Day in Alexandria

I live in Alexandria, and while I sometimes drive, I really value the days I take transit. My go-to option is heading to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station on the Blue Line. In the morning, I drive a short distance to the station, park in the Metro garage, and tap my phone to begin my trip. Having parking right at the station makes easy to combine driving with transit – no need to deal with traffic the entire way into Rosslyn.

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What We Learned at the Commuter Benefits Webinar

If you hadn't heard, the IRS increased the pre-tax commuter benefit limit to $340 per month at the beginning of 2026. With this increase in mind, ATP hosted a webinar discussing commuter benefit programs - if you were unable to attend or simply want to refresh your memory, read more to learn what was discussed.

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Getting from Earth Day to Earth Month in Arlington

Every year on Earth Day, April 22, people are reminded to consider our environment and take steps to make our living more sustainable. In Arlington County, that reminder is not limited to a single day. It actually shows up as a full month of events.

All throughout April, residents have multiple opportunities to engage directly with environmental sustainability through Arlington's EarthFest programming. Across the county, this includes invasive plant removal events in parks like Powhatan Springs Park and Upton Hill Regional Park, as well as trash cleanup events at Barcroft Park, all focused on restoring native habitats and improving local ecosystems through direct volunteer work.

That momentum does not stop on Earth Day or even at the end of April. Many of these events continue into May, carrying Earth Month forward with additional opportunities to stay engaged through park programming, environmental education, and direct activities. These include continued volunteer days, outdoor programs, and smaller-scale events offering a range of ways for residents to participate. See the full list of events here!

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