WHAT: Press conference, with City Council Members arriving by bicycle
WHERE: City Hall Park, just outside the City Hall gates along Centre Street
WHEN: Thursday, May 15th, 11:30 am

This Friday is National Bike to Work Day. To encourage New Yorkers to get on two wheels, Transportation Alternatives has invited Members of the New York City Council to bike to work themselves this Thursday. Council Members biking to work will meet just outside City Hall to call upon New Yorkers to follow their example. Council Members John Liu and David Yassky have already accepted the challenge, and Council Member Gale Brewer will also attend the event.

More than 75% of driving trips in New York City are five miles or less, and many of those trips could be carried out by bicycle. With gas prices at an all time high, more and more New Yorkers are switching their commutes to bicycle to reap the financial, health and environmental benefits.

"We are riding for the health of our fellow New Yorkers, and our own. Come out this Friday and make bicycling part of your daily routine," says Queens Council Member and Transportation Committee Chair John Liu.

"Riding your bike to work is a great way to stay healthy, save money and take care of our environment. I encourage all New Yorkers to give it a try." says Brooklyn Council Member David Yassky.

"Bicycling is a key part of making New York City a greener, more livable place. I'm thrilled to see so many New Yorkers on bikes," says Manhattan Council Member Gale Brewer.

Says Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "Never has there been a better time for New Yorkers to make their commutes by bike."

To support novice bike commuters and reward longtime veterans on National Bike to Work Day this Friday, Transportation Alternatives will be handing out coffee, pastry and commuter bags on four East River Bridges, the Hudson River Greenway and in Central Park. National Bike to Work Day is part of Bike Month NYC, a series of more than 200 events that promote bicycling in NYC.

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