A record breaking 12,700 people registered for Bike to Work Day (BTWD) 2012, nearly 2,000 more than 2011. BTWD is an annual event held across the U.S. to promote bicycling as a healthy, low-cost commute alternative.

The Greater Springfield area hosted two BTWD pit stops, one at the Burke VRE and one on Walker Lane in Metro Park.

Nohemy Miranda from the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, and the 2012 Burke VRE pit stop manager, was supported by her DOT colleagues as well as Alan Young from Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (FABB) and bike technician Andy Houghton from The Bike Lane.

I, the Springfield/Metro Park pit stop manager, send thank yous to our sponsors and volunteers. Our sponsors include Akridge, CALIBRE, Hilton Springfield, Performance Bicycle, TAGS, Virginia Megaprojects and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Allow me a special shout-out to Officer Jim Reid from the Franconia District Police Station, Paul Kent from FABB, and recently retired (thus he had no work to bike to) Henry Hoyle - bless you for making sure our pit stop had its coffee before the sun came up.

BTWD may be over, but it's never too early to start a healthy habit. Pick a day once a month and bike to work. If you're concerned with the commute distance take your car, Metro or VRE part of the way and bike the rest. Be safe, and have fun!