Bike to Work Month: Why We Do It

This year marks the 16th year I’ve organized a “Bike to Work” challenge for our company during the month of May. While the name harkens back to years ago when we daily commuted to the office and looked for ways to avoid traffic, today the definition has expanded; we include any type of activity that gets you moving and connecting with other colleagues through activities. Employees log their activity in a friendly competition in which everyone can participate. Our hope is to inspire our team to up their level of physical activity, bond with each other, challenge themselves, and find joy in movement.

When we first launched this endeavor, the idea was to come up with wacky ways to entice our work colleagues to dust off their bikes, dig out their running shoes, or record a walk to the mailbox. Back then, it was a relatively simple task of coordinating 15 people into teams and putting fun prizes (fame and glory!) on the line. Today, we have over 150 participants, making the logistics a bit more challenging as we coordinate multiple teams and organize fun competitions and events to inspire engagement. Each year, we seek out new ways to encourage widespread participation, make it fun, and keep everyone safe. The activities and planning are all volunteer-led outside of work hours, so it can be a heavy lift, but well worth it!

So why do we do it? Year after year, I am inspired by the stories of those who picked up a new passion, rediscovered something they used to enjoy, or made a new connection with a colleague. These are the moments that work can be more than work; it can offer a doorway to explore outside our daily routines and push ourselves in ways we didn’t know was possible, an attitude that spills over into all areas of life.

Four years ago, we added a Most Inspirational award. Below are the stories of the first four winners. I have heard many inspiring stories that steal my heart and look forward to hearing more this year! I hope you enjoy these stories and feel moved to try something new. Special thanks to Ken Hallack, who helps me pull off this enormous endeavor each year. I couldn’t do it without him!

Hilary’s Story

“I hadn’t run in over 20 years… But with Bike to Work month kicking off, I was encouraged to pull out my running shoes and start with just two miles a day… By the end of the month I was running strong and happy, rediscovering how much I enjoyed this activity and how great it feels!”

Joe’s Story

“I committed to go for the Cal Ripken award, which is given to someone who records an activity every day during the month of May. I decided to hike a seven-mile stretch of the Tolt Pipeline, which includes the famous Hollywood Hill in Woodinville—colloquially called “Heart Attack Hill”—where I live, every day. On the first day, I noticed my heart rate went through the roof. As I continued to hike Heart Attack Hill every day, heading out early with space to think clearly in the morning and organize my day, I found that throughout the month my heart rate became stronger and stronger, and I was able to maintain the same pace at a significantly lower heart rate. I feel stronger, healthier, and ready to keep walking through the summer!”

Sheila’s Story

Sheila won the Best Captain award because of her attention to detail every day and unyielding support of her team members. Sheila would cheer on each member of her team, noticing their daily efforts, encouraging them to keep going and do more, and congratulating them on what they’ve accomplished. Sheila set the bar high for future team captains and made everyone on her team feel appreciated and successful!

Diana’s Story

Diana starts every morning at 6 a.m. at the gym, where she has transformed casual gym acquaintances into lifelong friends who have become her steadfast support network. No matter what life throws at her, Diana knows these friends will stand by her. It struck me deeply when she mentioned that if anything ever happened to her beloved husband, this community would hold her up. That’s the sign of true friendship.

Motivated by this incredible community, Diana dives into her workouts with contagious enthusiasm. She kicked off the month by outrunning everyone from the Bellevue office to Roanoke and ran an average of 20 miles per week through May on top of her gym workouts. She recently completed her first half marathon, finishing with an impressive time of two hours and 23 minutes. Her mantra, “Exercise is the fountain of youth,” isn’t just a saying—it’s a way of life that inspires her colleagues to embrace healthier, more active lifestyles.

Diana’s commitment to giving back is equally inspiring. She often picks up trash during her runs, ensuring her routes — and her community — stay clean and beautiful. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, community, and making every step count.

I hope these stories inspire you to get out there, try something new, and maybe even form a new habit that brings you joy! Keep moving, connecting, and finding the little victories that make a big difference.

*Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and Certified Financial Planner™ in the U.S.