Bike Commuting is simply a way to get from one place to another using a bicycle instead of a car, bus, our feet, or other modes of transportation. For some of us, it’s a choice; a fair or unfair weather election to enjoy the journey by two wheels. Of course, biking to work is a commonly thought of form of bike commuting and Lincoln is prepared to encourage more of it during Bike to Work Week this May 12-18th. This year, Open Harvest breakfast burritos are on the menu for five Bike Commuter Interest Stations. You can read more about that below or jump over to preorder your $5 breakfast burritos before May 12th at https://www.wheeliegoodbikeshop.com/biketoworkday
But all trips from one location to another could be considered a Commute so why not celebrate and encourage more than biking to work? As the readers of this blog well know, BicycLincoln continues to be a consistent advocate for getting “more people to bike and bike more often.” To do that, biking to work cannot be the only form of Bike Commuting that is celebrated and encouraged around our City.
Most trips from door to door inside our City are less than three miles long. The distance of travel is most certainly not the barrier to transportation by bike, a vehicle that can cost less than 5% compared with a new sedan off the car lot. The health benefits and the fuel offset gained by opting for self-propelled wheels, if reinvested, could afford all the cold weather riding gear one might need to commute by bike in the Nebraska winters, or rain gear when the occasion arises. No, it is not likely these barriers that stand in the way of most bike commuting trips. The list is actually quite long. Where should we begin?
Lincoln Earth Day was hosted April 19th on UNL Innovation Campus. Planners of the event welcomed a train of volunteers who collaborated with Lincoln Public School Community Learning Centers to provide Lincoln’s Citywide Bike Rodeo. Volunteers provided helmets, loaner bikes, encouragement, confidence, buttons, decorations, maintenance, and education about basic arm signals while riding a bike. Dana Stefanidis with Wheelie Good Ride Academy supported more than a third of the attendees that needed balance bike coaching. The centerpiece of the event was a chalked bikeway designed to support all ages and abilities as they Commuted by bike through intersections, roundabouts, and obstacles. Balance bikes, training wheel bikes, big kid bikes, mountain bikes, cargo bikes, recumbent bikes, strollers, roller blades, and scooters all shared the same simple course without incident. Over the four hours, there is no doubt, a few of the students logged more than 10 miles of riding. It helped to have tassels on the handlebars and squawking chickens to run over. So, what are the barriers to a 3-mile commute by bike again? Ask these kids. They are ready to go by bike.
Lincoln Earth Day, April 19th, 2025 – Lincoln Citywide Bike Rodeo – Photo by Camille Andelt, Daily Nebraskan
In May, the City of Lincoln will get underway with an update to the 2050 Long Range Transportaion Plan and develop an Active Mobility master plan at the same time. When commuting by bike is normalized, accessible, convenient, safe, and fun, we think more of our trips will Go by Bike. I hope you will make plans to stop by one of the five Bike Commuter Interest Stations on Friday, May 16th between 7-9 am to share what’s on your Bike Commute Wish List. Pre-order your Open Harvest breakfast burrito for a grab and go breakfast along your commute and start thinking about what the next plans for Lincoln should address to help even more people Go by Bike.
Open Harvest Breakfast Burritos limited to the first 200 ordered are available: https://www.wheeliegoodbikeshop.com/biketoworkday
Breakfast Burrito Options
All Open Harvest burritos will include a mild salsa. packets of Cholula for those who want an extra kick will be available.
- Ham & Egg Burrito: ham, egg, cheese, herb roasted potatoes, red pepper, house red salsa, sour cream, flour tortilla
- Sausage Burrito: egg, pork sausage, herb roasted potatoes, red pepper, house red salsa, sour cream, wheat tortilla.
- Vegetarian Burrito: egg, herb roasted potatoes, black beans, red & green bell pepper, cheddar cheese, house red salsa, wheat tortilla.
Bike Commuter Interest Station Locations
#1 Northeast Station @ Bethany Park
Location: 66th St. and Vine St.
Bike/Ped: MoPac Trail
Transit: Route 48
#2 Southeast Station @ Holmes Lake Park
Location: 70th St and Homes North Shore Rd.
Bike/Ped: Billy Wolff Trail
Transit: Route 40
#3 Southwest Station @ Rock Island/Boosalis Trailhead
Location: 4300 S 27th St
Bike/Ped: Rock Island Trail or Helen Boosalis Trail
Transit: Route 56
#4 Northwest Station @ Lincoln NW High School
Location: NW 50th St and West Holdrege
Bike/Ped: NW 48th Street Trail
Transit: Route 46
#5 Central Station @ Elliot Elementary School
Location: N Street and S 23rd St.
Bike/Ped: Billy Wolff Trail/N Street Bikeway
Transit: Route 53
Bike Commute Aid Station – Bike to Work Day 2023 – Telegraph District hosted by Open Harvest, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, Journal Star, The Mill, Ticos, and Lotus House of Yoga. Photo by Jesse Poore.