Skip to content
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2012
No.: 12-2540
Contact: Bob Laurie (907) 465-6989 or bob.laurie@alaska.gov

Governor Parnell Issues Bike Month Proclamation

(JUNEAU, Alaska) — Governor Sean Parnell has proclaimed May as Bike Month, May 14-18 as Bike Week, May 9 as Bike to School Day, and May 18 as Bike to Work Day.

The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) joins with organizers throughout the state to support Bike to Work and Bike to School events. DOT&PF encourages both bicyclists and motorists to be careful on Alaska roads - not just during May, but always.

Alaska ranks sixth in the nation in the proportion of adults who bike to work with approximately 3,300 people bicycling to work every day. Biking is an affordable, healthy form of transportation, and a great way to get the 30-60 minutes of daily activity recommended for optimum health.

As in other states, bicyclists are recognized in state law as legitimate users of Alaska’s roadways. Bicyclists are required to follow the “rules of the road” by riding on the right side of the road, signaling turns, and stopping at stop signs and stop signals.

Motorists can do their part too; by allowing a safe distance between their vehicle and cyclists when passing, by not cutting off cyclists when making a turn, and being particularly careful when transitioning through an intersection. Almost half of all vehicle-cyclist collisions occur at intersections.

Each year the national nonprofit League of American Bicyclists declares May as National Bike Month and helps organize Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day. This year marks the Inaugural National Bike to School Day, organized in conjunction with the National Center for Safe Routes to School.

To view Governor Parnell's proclamation visit: gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-proclamation.html?pr=6114.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) oversees 254 airports, 11 ferries serving 34 communities, 5,700 miles of highway and 660 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of DOT&PF is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

# # #