Curb The Car (Bike to Work) Day

The following page contains information and events to put some spring in your commute this May. May is Bike Month, but more than that, it's a time when we celebrate all forms of commuting that get you out of your car: biking, walking, bussing, carpooling, and more. What new work or errand commute will you try - bike, foot, bus, carpool?

Below are some upcoming events of interest:

Curb Your Car Day Celebration - Put some Spring in your Commute this May

May 4, 2022 - National Bike/Walk to School Day

Hanover Street School is organizing an event, and participation is encouraged by all. View the route here. Lebanon Police Department will chaperone and offer kids’ helmets for those in need. For more information, visit walkbiketoschool.org. And a big shout-out to SAU88 School Counselor David Jaffe for championing this year’s event!

Friends of the Northern Rail Trail (FNRT) will host a breakfast table (muffins, fruit, juice) at the intersection of the NRT and Bank St. Extension, next to Pat Walsh Park, from 7:00am - 7:30am on May 4th. Lebanon Middle School employees and students/families - bike/walk to the table en route to class!

May 11, 2022 - FREE Cycling Exercise and Injury Prevention Session

In honor of Bike Month, BE Fit Physical Therapy will share exercises that reduce the risk of common cycling injuries at 6:00pm at Upper Valley Aquatic Center. Free and open to the public; RSVP to Info@BEFit-PT.com.

May 13, 2022 - Lebanon "Curb Your Car Day" Celebration

TIME: 7:30am-9:30 am
PLACE: Colburn Park
Walk, bike, or bus that morning and stop by for treats and quick bike safety checks/tune-ups by Omer & Bob’s. Lebanon Recreation, Arts, and Parks staff and Pedestrian & Bicyclist Advisory Committee members are looking forward to seeing you there. This also serves as a kick-off for the next event…

May 16-20, 2022 - National Bike Week

This week concludes with National "Bike to Work Day" on Friday, May 20. Numerous resources are available here. Talk to your employer about hosting an event this week. According to the website: "40% of all trips are less than two miles, making bicycling a feasible and fun way to get around!"

Throughout the month of May 2022

Everyone is invited to log their sustainable trips with CommuteSmartNH and be entered to win prizes. Any trip using any mode of transportation other than a single-occupancy vehicle qualifies. Awards are also given to employers with the highest participation rates. More information and instructions are available here.

What can your workplace do to participate?

Examples of what workplaces can do, whether with many options or even smaller incentives, here are some ideas from Dartmouth Health (formerly known as DHMC)!

DH has an online wellness portal that gives employees access to well-being activities, programs, and resources. Earn points for participating and engaging in programs and activities to be eligible to be entered into quarterly drawings. Consider participating in the Bike and Walk to Work event to commute green, get physical and earn your points!
DH is also posting "Bike & Walk to Work Week" and bike rack location map flyers to encourage participation.
Workplaces can also get involved by organizing group walk-bike lunch breaks or commutes and offering bike-share equipment; one newer option is e-bikes, which DH is doing a pilot loan program with this August.
Get creative with incentives! As another idea, copy one of many walk-bike bingo cards that are online, and here are some other workplace tips specific to Bike Month from the League of American Bicyclists.

Curb the Car Day Goals:

Reduce traffic congestion in the City
Meet more neighbors
Get your bike pumped and checked
Enjoy some recreation/exercise for the day
Save money (these modes including the bus are free)!
Benefit from cleaner air
Have an immediate impact - more of your footprints means a lower community carbon footprint too

For more information about Curb the Car Day, or to volunteer and help sponsor events with time, prizes, or food in Lebanon, please contact Rebecca Owens at rebecca.owens@lebanonnh.gov.