Provo celebrates 25th annual Bike to Work Day

On May 14, Provo hosted its 25th annual Bike to Work Day.

"It is the best day because it's like trick or treating for breakfast foods on a bicycle. What could be more fun?" Rachel Whipple, Provo City Council member, said.

More than two dozen vendors set up booths with free food to help fuel people who chose to bike to work.

"It's a way for us to do a lot of stuff that we'd normally do but to get some free food and meet some other people," Ethan Busby, a cyclist, said.

Mayor Marsha Judkins said there are lots of positives to biking to work. She said it benefits individuals, the environment and the community.

"It's not only healthy and fun but it really does help our environment, help the safety of our city; so I would just encourage everybody to get on their bike or get on their feet and walk or bike," Judkins said.

"First, biking does reduce carbon emissions but also just creating that community where people feel comfortable and confident in making small sacrifices to come together and creating a more sustainable culture in our daily lifestyles," Olivia Burn, BYU Sustainability Office volunteer, said.

Bike to Work Day is the largest geographical event in Provo, according to Provo.gov. The mayor's office said that around 500 people attended this year.

"My family and I we bike basically everywhere so we like that they have all these little stations and we like seeing other people that like to bike," Busby said.

Busby said he noticed improvements in Provo's bike accessibility, including more bike lanes and safety measures.

"A lot of times people have to drive really far to get to work or different things like that but look for the opportunities that you can," Judkins said.

Judkins encouraged BYU students specifically to bike or walk when possible. She said Bike to Work Day is a great way to discover local businesses by seeing things from their bike that they might not see from their car.