Bike to Work Day, or B2WD, was initiated by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956 to promote the health benefits of cycling to work. For some, the idea of cycling is daunting enough, but for those who own a two-wheeler, it provides a perfect reason to hop on their bike, not just for one day, but every day (Days of the Year, n.d.).

According to Thaler & Sunstein (2019), B2W aims to encourage people to try cycling as a means of transportation, with the hope that this temporary change will have long-term effects. This can be seen as a nudge in the right direction, a way to influence people’s behavior without imposing any bans or forced changes.

Originating from the passion of a group of mountain bike enthusiasts who longed for clean air in urban areas, and driven by ideas and hopes, the Bike to Work Community was formed. On August 6, 2004, they initiated the first campaign to use bicycles for commuting to work. Over time, public interest in cycling has steadily increased. To channel this enthusiasm, a platform was created to help the movement expand and become more widely known among the public (Restyanto, 2009). The B2W Indonesia community was then declared in 2005, with the capital city’s traffic congestion being one of the underlying reasons for the Bike to Work movement itself (Budiyono, 2021).

So, what are the benefits of Biking to Work?

Cycling is a healthy, inexpensive, and relatively environmentally friendly activity. As reported by Bicycle Network (2024), researchers state that cycling to work has benefits for improving mental health. According to Croft (2022), cycling efficiently trains leg muscles, improves the cardiovascular system, and reduces the risk of heart disease by up to 50%. By improving the cardiovascular system, more blood flows to the muscles and brain, delivering more oxygen and nutrients, which can enhance performance and make us feel calmer. Additionally, cycling gets us active outdoors, which can also help relieve stress.

Cycling to work also has significant benefits in reducing emissions and moving towards sustainable energy. Cycling paves the way to sustainable energy by helping to reduce carbon gas emissions that contribute to the climate crisis, and it has a positive effect on daily energy and spirits. Cycling also saves unsustainable energy resources used by motorized vehicles and increases green space in urban environments (Sari, 2023).

Furthermore, cycling is a solution to reducing emissions linked to the climate crisis. According to Brand (2023), people who cycle daily have 84% lower carbon emissions from all their daily trips compared to non-cyclists. He adds that emissions from cycling can be 30 times lower per trip than driving a fossil-fueled car and about ten times lower than driving an electric car. This year, in 2024, B2WD will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024. This is a movement open to everyone, with the hope that daily cycling becomes a habit. Come on, let’s bike everywhere together! Start from home to work and make every pedal count in protecting our environment and creating a greener world for future generations.