Team MassDOT Bike Week Success

The results are in, and MassDOT is leaner, greener, and a little healthier this week after bicycling over 6,000 miles during Bay State Bike Week!  MassDOT employees commuted 3,098 miles by bicycle and logged 2,961 non-commuting miles during the week-long celebration. In all, 144 employees participated and led team MassDOT to a 4th place finish among the 5,000+ employer category. 

The MassDOT Team in Highway Division District 4 included, left, Tom Navarro, Thomas Weil, Chris Leahy, Brian McKenny, Mike Formichella, and Scott Kelloway.

Just how much healthier are we because of our efforts? Team MassDOT burned 212,065 calories; that is over 60 pounds in just 5 days.  And MassDOT staff also helped out their hearts – research indicates that bicycling just 20 miles per week can reduce risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 50 percent. By pledging an average of 42 miles each during Bike Week, MassDOT participants improved their cardiac health.

How much greener is the environment? As a result of Bay State Bike Week efforts, MassDOT staff reduced carbon emissions by 3.6 tons (equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions avoided by recycling over 1 ton of waste instead of sending it to the landfill) and saved 367 gallons of gasoline. Participants not only traveled green, but also saved green. The saving in gasoline alone amounts to a cost savings of over $1,480.

Do you have a story about your Bay State Bike Week experience? Are you continuing to bicycle to work?  Send us your feedback.  To learn more about current bicycle projects, visit the MassDOT bicycling web page.