30 Days of Biking back for 3rd year - ride your bike every day in April, starting tomorrow

Tomorrow sees the start of April, and with it the return for a third year of the 30 Days of Biking initiative that seeks to encourage people to ride their bikes every day throughout the month. There’s just one rule – “Bike somewhere every day for 30 days—around the block, 20 miles to work, whatever suits you—then share your adventures online.”

Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2010 but embraced by cyclists around the world, all you need to do to participate is to register at the 30 Days of Biking website then record your ride and share your experiences through Facebook and Twitter. People are also encouraged to use channels such as YouTube, Vimeo,  Instagram and Dailymile to record and share their rides.

It does take a little bit of dedication and planning to see the month through – you probably don’t want to find yourself in the same situation as our own Martin Thomas did last year when he found himself having to strike a deal at Dover docks involving his daughter, an electric bicycle and an Austrian tourist. It's not as bad as it sounds.

Mark Tearle of 30 Days of Biking UK explains in a blog piece on the initiative’s website what it means to him – a big part of the attraction for Mark and others being that it isn’t looking to push a specific agenda other than the pure joy of riding a bicycle.

“Locally, 30 Days of Biking allows you to meet and network with people,” says Mark. “Nationally and internationally, the use of Twitter creates a greater communal feel to the event … there’s a critical mass out there taking part, too, worldwide: You are never alone.

“That positive message will spread, with new people taking part and relatively new cyclists galvanised by the critical mass to make the effort and take advantage of the roads and the cycle networks, to organise group rides and get their friends and relatives involved, too.

“The year 2012 started with a bike ride and is set to continue to be one big long international cycling party for me, and I am looking forward to sharing my enthusiasm for this simple machine and for 30 Days of Biking.”