NIH’ers Roll In on Bike to Work Day

On May 15, after two rainy days, the skies cleared and local roads filled with cyclists. That day, some NIH’ers commuted into work on their bicycles as part of the Washington area’s Bike to Work Day and dropped by the NIH pitstop behind the Natcher Bldg.

Each year, Bike to Work Day promotes not only physical fitness but also environmentally friendly commuting by reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions caused by driving. This year’s NIH event was co-sponsored by the Office of Research Services (ORS) Division of Amenities and Transportation Services (DATS), NIH Police and Recreation & Welfare (R&W) Association.

Each year, on Bike to Work Day, the NIH Bicycle Commuter Club presents the Carl Henn Bicycling Advocacy Award to an avid cyclist. The award honors the memory and legacy of longtime NIH employee and cycling advocate Henn, a co-founder and president of NIHBCC who passed away unexpectedly in 2010. This year’s honoree is Sarah “Sally” Fowler.

“Thanks to Carl and many others, NIH has a strong history of supporting biking—which makes sense,” said Fowler, an NIH research nurse specialist. “As the nation’s premier research facility, we should be an example to the nation for healthy commuting lifestyles.

“The benefit to the environment by bicycling can best be summed up by the motto found on the NIH Bike Club jersey, which reads: ‘Non-Polluter Commuter,’” Fowler said. “Bicycling is a big part of the culture here at NIH and all NIH bicycle commuters can consider themselves members of the club.” 

To learn more about the NIHBCC, visit: https://www.nihbike.com/.