Event

SOM Participates in National Bike Month

Since 1956, May has been National Bike Month, and this year SOM’s San Francisco office is celebrating the power of the pedal by participating in the Team Bike Challenge. Sponsored by the Bay Area Bike Coalition, the Team Bike Challenge pits commuters from nine counties in a friendly competition to bike to work. In 2014, contestants logged a total of 570,000 miles.

SOM staffers have joined the 2015 challenge as members of Team Bunny and Team On Your Left. Commutes range from a two-mile-long ride down Market Street to a 30-mile journey that traverses the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sustainability has driven SOM’s participation in this year’s Team Bike Challenge. Sustainable Engineering Studio Team Leader Brian Griffith, who spearheaded the effort, explains, “Density in cities is one of the answers to our climate change issues, as long as proper support amenities like transportation options are provided. By participating in National Bike Month, cities see in real time how many people can and want to ride their bikes to work. Data allows cities to put together programs and demographics that enable city planners and budget committees to accommodate and encourage riders.”