Ride to Work Day Monday June 15; Tell The Mayor

Jun ’09

For the past 18 years the third Monday in June has been a fun Monday. Riders of Scooters and Motorcycles from all over the country/world ride to work. Many cities are extremely supportive of this event, so much so that they leave the parking structure up year round dedicating areas for motorcycles and scooters.

The city of Chicago is not one of those cities; not yet. Copy the below letter written by Andy Goldfine The Ride to Work Day Organizer and send it to the mayors office. If we can get this one day, maybe, just maybe, he will see how behind the times and lacking our city is when it comes to Motorcycle and Scooter Parking. Hell, parking period.

Dear Mayor,

The 18th annual Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day is Monday, June 15th. Every year on this day, over a million workers commute via motorcycles and scooters to demonstrate the positive benefits of these efficient vehicles.

Your administration and city can support and encourage this popular grass-roots event by announcing one day of free motorcycle and scooter parking at municipal ramps and metered spaces. You’ll join hundreds of motorcycle and scooter groups and organizations world-wide already supporting the annual Ride to Work Day.

Studies have shown the public benefits of motorcycling and scootering include:
• Motorcycles and scooters share parking spaces, making more space for everyone else.
• Motorcycles and scooters consume significantly less resources per mile than automobiles.
• Motorcycles and scooters reduce traffic congestion and save travel time.

According to the United States Census Bureau and the Department of Transportation, over 80 million cars and light trucks are used for daily commuting on American roads, and only about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On Ride to Work Day, the practical side of riding becomes more visible as a much larger number of America’s 8,000,000 cycles are ridden to work.

Motorcycle and scooter riders seek both government and employer support for riding’s broad benefits. Providing free motorcycle and scooter parking on Ride to Work Day is a popular way to showcase this highly beneficial form of transportation.

We appreciate your support,

Your Name

Chicago Scooter Club