Bike to work, 2013 edition (Image: CERN)
CERN doesn’t just accelerate particles... it also accelerates people! For six years, its ever-growing community of cyclists has participated in the biggest event promoting cycling in Switzerland: Bike to Work. 831 members of the personnel took part last year and the goal for 2018 is to encourage at least 1000 to come to work using pedal power.
Bike to Work is an annual challenge that takes place during the month of June and is aimed at encouraging cycling as a mode of transport. The rules for taking part are simple: during June, at least half of your journeys to and from CERN must be by bike. You and three teammates regularly note down the distance travelled by bike in your personal calendars within the Bike to Work application. If you live too far away, don’t be put off, as it’s possible to combine cycling with another mode of transport, or even with walking, provided that you fulfil certain conditions.
Aside from the fact that cycling is a sustainable mode of transport, it’s also a great lifestyle choice. You don’t need us to remind you of the health benefits. Cycling also gives you more freedom to get around, particularly by helping you to avoid stressful traffic jams... This year, people at CERN have even more reasons to get their bikes out, as the SMB department has installed bike repair stations and new showers to encourage the use of environmentally friendly modes of transport.
“Even though registration has been open just a few days, more than 20 teams have already signed up. People who are interested in taking part but don’t yet have a team can register individually, then join an incomplete team later,” says Jens Vigen, CERN’s Bike to Work coordinator. So why not take the opportunity to meet new people and share your passion for cycling?
Sign your team up here: https://www.biketowork.ch/fr/participation/Team_anmelden
Or join an incomplete team here: https://espace.cern.ch/bike2CERN/Pages/official_team.aspx