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National Bike to Work Day

Summary: 
Gary Guzy, Deputy Director and General Counsel at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, reflects on the bike ride to work on “National Ride Your Bike to Work Day” as an example of the little choices we make in our homes and communities that can add up to a big difference for our own health and the health of our planet.

Any day when I can take my bike to and from work is a good day.  For years I’ve tried to get up just a bit earlier, walk past my car keys, pick up my helmet, and hit the bike trail through the park on my way to work. I find that it wakes me up and connects me to my surroundings, as well as lessens my environmental footprint. In honor of National Ride Your Bike to Work Day, getting on my bike this morning and riding to work seemed especially important.

As an increasing number of cities and businesses are becoming more bike friendly, riding to work is a possibility for millions of people like me who want to leave their car at home and take a green approach to their commute to the office.  As President Obama has reminded us, the federal government has a responsibility to lead by example, especially when it comes to making improvements in environmental, energy and economic performance. 

It is also particularly gratifying that this day coincides with the President’s announcement in the Rose Garden this morning of new regulatory steps to increase fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions for the first time for trucks, as well as begin work to extend and improve the efficiency of cars for another decade.  These are fundamental and important steps that government and industry can take to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and minimize our impact on the environment.

But the little choices we make in our homes, communities, schools and businesses can add up to make a big difference in our own health and the health of our planet.  Participating in National Ride Your Bike to Work Day is just one example of how we can do our part to ease congestion on roads, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, and become less dependent on oil.

John Thomson Bikes

John Thomson, Special Assistant to the Chair, bikes to the office on National Ride Your Bike to Work Day. May 21, 2010.

 
Gary Guzy is the Deputy Director and General Counsel at the White House Council on Environmental Quality