Don’t forget: Ride to Work Day is this Wednesday, July 16 PICKERINGTON, Ohio–The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reminds motorcyclists that Ride to Work Day is this Wednesday, July 16, and encourages all riders to put some extra fun in their daily commutes, save a little gas–and then take the long way home. The first Ride to Work Day took place in 1992. It was inspired by the “Work to Ride – Ride to Work” program created in the late 1980s by Andy Goldfine, the founder of Aerostich/RiderWearHouse, a Minnesota-based manufacturer of riders clothing and accessories. Various motorcycle businesses, including Road Rider magazine (now Motorcycle Consumer News) and Dunlop Tires, informally advocated every third Wednesday in July as Ride To Work Day until 2000, when a non-profit organization was formed to promote the event throughout the motorcycling community. Today, Ride to Work Day has evolved into an international grassroots movement, and many cities, including Cincinnati, Duluth (Minn.), Milwaukee, Richardson (Texas), San Diego, Santa Rosa (Calif.) and more have proclaimed July 16 as Ride to Work Day. The movement’s website, www.ridetowork.org, notes that more motorcycles and scooters in the daily commute improves traffic flow and makes urban parking easier. In addition, motorcycles and scooters consume fewer resources per mile than automobiles. “Riding to work on this day is fun and shows the positive value of motorcycling,” said Goldfine, who is currently an AMA board member. “For many people, riding is a socially responsible form of mobility that saves energy, helps the environment and provides a broad range of other public benefits.” Participation in the yearly event is estimated to triple the number of riders on the road. For more information, visit www.ridetowork.org. About the American Motorcyclist Association Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life and they navigate many different roads on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycle organization with nearly 300,000 members, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition events than any other organization in the world. Through the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
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