And it's awesome to see so many new riders out on the roads and trails. But, I have to say that I have run into a couple who caught my attention:

Yesterday, riding home I came across a guy riding down the street on what I can only decribe as a beach cruiser with big balloon tires - which is fine, we ride whatever bike is in the garage - but what caught my attention was that he was wearing one of those chest baby carriers stuffed with his clothes. Interesting way to re-purpose a baby carrier and props to him for not letting the lack of a backpack stop him from riding.

This morning is clear and sunny in the Seattle area. When it clears off overnight this time of year, it can get very cold in the early morning and this morning was no exception. As I was riding down the MUP @ 6am the thermometer on my cycle computer said that the temp was 34 degrees. I exited the MUP and rolled up to a traffic light next to a guy I had never run into before and he was wearing shorts, a light t-shirt, no cycling gloves (or helmet) and carrying a backpack - and he was obviously very cold and shivering. Me: "Good morning, you look a little cold". Him: "Yeah its freezing, but the weather forecast said 65 degrees today and I did not want to be too warm going home". I just kinda looked at him and his backpack thinking "so you could not wear extra clothes and stuff them into your backpack for the ride home?". I wished him luck and when the light turned was on my way. Props to him for getting out there this morning, but whew did he look cold...

Always a surge of commuters at the start of Bike to work month that unfortunately dies off as the month goes on...

Yeah, I'm glad that there is a month to try to highlight bike commuting and encourage it. I'm sure it gets some people started who might not have otherwise thought of it. Or at least pushes them over the edge for that first proverbial jump into the world of cycle commuting. If they keep riding then that's great!

I think a lot of people who commute, or consider commuting - the ones most likely to keep with it, perhaps (?) - are going to start regardless. Like me, I started early last April. I didn't even know there was a Bike to Work Month or Day when I started. I just rode my bike to my office one weekend on a lark and realized I could do it every day and save myself the hassle and expense of taking metro, get exercise, and make it door to door faster than I could on transit. It was only after I started riding regularly and getting involved with BF and some local cycling blogs that I found out about BTWM.

Fast forward a year, and I've now developed a reputation in the building as the guy who rides to work no matter what the weather. I hung some signs in the break room and on my office door to advertise the event. I know one person who's registered for BTWDay as a direct result of my sign posting. I hope others try it out, too!

Bike to work month again???....dang,I just biked to work last month. I saw another biker on my way in this morning, but the bike was still attached to the top of his car.

...and in my area, still exactly one bike commuter, me. I did see 4 other bikes on my 40 minute commute home yesterday, which is a record for me, I've never seen more than that in one day. Zero of them looked like they were commuting, they were all either pretty clearly out training or just noodling around a subdivision.

I counted around 15-20 a couple days ago. Not so many today. I think once bike to work "week" is here, i'll see more.

Not seeing a lot on the road, but subways are another story. Last Friday, seven bikes in one subway car during the evening rush hour - myself and two other regulars, but four I hadn't seen before. Agree with bhop, will see more when Bike to Work week arrives.

I hate wearing a backpack on my bike ... but when I do, this is usually the reason. It's been cold here lately, mostly at night, and there's a big swing between 6 am and 6 pm. I wonder what the pack was for, then...?

I haven't seen more bike commuters at my company because of the month. Someone I run into in the lobby every morning was commenting on my bike today, though, saying what a great day it must be to ride, and how he should get his bike out.

Bike Month is like Earth Day. The sooner both are no longer talked about, the quicker our society will have advanced. Every month should be Bike Month. Every day should be Earth day.

Hell, I see more powered WHEELCHAIRS on my commute than I do riders!

January seems to be my only "NOT-Bike-To-Work-Month".

Thanks for the stories, you have shared a smile with me today. I guess the variety and numbers is always welcome.

Next month is bike to work month in Geneva. Last year, we had 20 people from work participate (out of 150). 50,000 people participated city-wide.

In the last year I've seen one other commuter and that was back in March Two of my co-workers were riding in on their bikes in 2008. Perhaps this month will be enough encouragement to get them on track again.