Thousands to Explore Parks & Public Lands by Bicycle on September 30

Over 550 rides with more than 3,000 participants in 48 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and several countries are already registered for the second annual Bike Your Park Day on September 30. Thousands more will participate and are expected to register at BikeYourParkDay.org in the next several weeks.

Bike Your Park Day encourages people to explore urban and rural parks and public lands by bicycle whether it's on paved roads, paths, or mountain bike trails. Bike Your Park Day is on the same day as National Public Lands Day and many parks will offer free entrance and will organize special activities and service projects.

“Bike Your Park Day is a great way to celebrate National Public Lands Day,” said Krista Sherwood with the National Park Service’s Conservation & Outdoor Recreation Programs. “ It is one day with the potential for motivating sustained benefits by encouraging visitors to explore their national parks and public lands by bicycle. Bicycling as active transportation and healthy recreation is a fun way to experience the setting in a more natural way while also promoting public health, resource protection, and other economic and social benefits while also reducing vehicle congestion and contributing to the quality of life for surrounding communities.”

People who want to participate in Bike Your Park Day can design their own ride — any distance, any style of bicycling, and any type of park or public land that is open to bicycling. Participants register their ride for free at BikeYourParkDay.org, and an interactive map displays all of the rides taking place. Everyone who registers by September 18 will be entered to win a bike from Advocate Cycles and an Amtrak trip for two, with bikes, to Glacier National Park.

Bike Your Park Day’s interactive map of rides includes many that are open for others to join. People can contact the ride organizer via the interactive website. Those who have questions about Bike Your Park Day can contact one of the more than 100 Bike Your Park Day volunteer advisors based in 36 U. S. states and six countries. They can answer questions about bicycle safety, bike-friendly routes, and nearby parks and public lands.

Promotional tools are available for those wishing to share or promote their ride, including the Bike Your Park Day logo, sample social media posts and images, a template press release/newsletter article, and a downloadable fill-in-the-blanks poster. The Bike Your Park Day hashtag is #bikeyourpark.

Generous sponsors of Bike Your Park Day include Visit Mississippi, Ridgeland, Mississippi, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, Advocate Cycles, Amtrak, and Black Coffee Roasting Co.