How to Crush the Bike to Work Challenge This Year

Why the Bike to Work Challenge Is Worth Your Time This May

The bike to work challenge is one of the easiest ways to make a real environmental impact without overhauling your life. Here’s the quick version:

How to get started:

Sign up for a free account on Ride with GPS
Log your rides during May (live-tracked or manually entered)
Contribute to a collective mileage goal and compete for prizes worth up to $500

May is National Bike Month, and cycling challenges are happening across the country — from the Bay Area to Chicago to Denver. These events turn your daily commute into something bigger: a shared push toward cleaner air, less traffic, and stronger communities.

The numbers back it up. In 2025, Bay Area riders logged over 159,000 miles — crushing their 120,000-mile goal. In 2024, participants exceeded their goal by a staggering 367%. These aren’t hardcore athletes. They’re everyday commuters, parents running errands, and first-timers on borrowed bikes.

You don’t need to be fast. You don’t need to ride every day. You just need to start.

This guide walks you through everything: how to register, how to log miles, how to win prizes, and how to make bike commuting a habit that actually sticks.

Understanding the Bay Area Bike to Work Challenge

When we talk about the bike to work challenge, we are often looking at the massive regional effort known as the Bay Area Bike Challenge. Presented by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), this event is a cornerstone of “Bike to Wherever Days.” It’s not just about getting to the office; it’s about choosing two wheels for any trip—whether you’re heading to the grocery store, the library, or just out for a morning spin.

For 2026, the stakes are higher than ever. We have set a collective goal of 175,000 miles to be logged throughout the month of May. This is a “unity goal,” designed to show that when we all peddle just a little bit more, the cumulative impact on our region is massive.

The beauty of this challenge is its inclusivity. Whether you are a “randonneur” cyclist capable of riding 367 miles in a single day or a “baby boomer” who just bought their first e-bike and logged 500 miles in their first month, every mile counts toward that 175,000-mile target. You can find all the official details and registration links at the Bay Area Bike Challenge — Bay Area Bike To Wherever Days page.

History of the Bike to Work Challenge

We didn’t just pull that 175,000-mile goal out of thin air. It’s based on the incredible momentum we’ve seen over the last few years.

In 2024, the challenge celebrated its 30th anniversary with a modest goal of 30,000 miles. The community didn’t just meet that goal; they obliterated it, logging over 110,063 miles—a 367% exceedance!

Building on that success, 2025 saw a goal of 120,000 miles. Once again, the community rose to the occasion. A total of 959 participants logged 159,204 miles across 15,129 individual trips. To put that in perspective, that’s like riding around the circumference of the Earth more than six times! One standout rider, Paul Ashton, even managed to log a staggering 2,312 miles individually during that single month.

Connection to Global Cycling Events

While we focus heavily on our local streets, the bike to work challenge is part of a much larger global movement. Take the Global Bike to Work Day, for example. In its inaugural year, it saw over 146,549 participants worldwide who rode for a combined 69,212 hours.

These events often partner with platforms like Strava Metro. When you log a commute, you aren’t just winning prizes; you are providing anonymized data that helps urban planners understand where people actually ride. This data is used to improve city infrastructure, making it safer for everyone to get around without a car. By participating, you are literally helping to build the bike lanes of the future. You can see more about the global impact of these rides at the Global Bike to Work Day stats page.

How to Register and Log Your Miles

Getting started is simpler than changing a flat tire (and much less greasy). The official platform for the 2026 challenge is Ride with GPS.

First, you’ll need to register. You can do this by following the official challenge links. If you don’t have an account, don’t worry—it’s free. When you sign up, the app might show you a pop-up asking you to upgrade to a premium version. You can simply close that; the free version is all you need to participate in the challenge and be eligible for prizes.

Once you are registered for the “Bay Area Bike Challenge 2026” within the app, any ride you record during May will automatically count toward the collective goal.

Using the Ride with GPS App for the Bike to Work Challenge

To ensure your miles are counted correctly, follow these steps:

Open the Ride with GPS app on your smartphone.
Tap the Record button on the home screen.
Tap Start Ride.
When you reach your destination, tap Pause and then hold the Finish button.
Save your ride.

Once saved, your ride will sync with the challenge leaderboard. The app also features a “Route Library,” which is incredibly helpful if you’re looking for new paths or want to see where other commuters in your area are riding.

Integrating Other Apps and Devices for the Bike to Work Challenge

We know many of you are already loyal to your fitness tech. If you use Strava or an Apple Watch, you can still participate!

Strava Users: You can set up a one-way sync from Strava to Ride with GPS. This means your Strava rides will automatically populate in your Ride with GPS account.
Apple Watch Users: Record your ride on your watch as usual. If your watch syncs with Apple Health, Ride with GPS can pull that data in.

However, a word of caution: while these synced rides count toward the collective 175,000-mile goal and raffle eligibility, some of the top-tier “Most Miles” or “Most Trips” prizes may require rides to be recorded directly within the Ride with GPS app to ensure data integrity and prevent manual “mileage padding.”

Winning Big: Prizes and Creative Categories

Let’s be honest: while saving the planet is great, winning a $500 gift card is also a pretty good motivator. The bike to work challenge features 12 different prize tiers, with values ranging from $100 up to $500.

Prizes are generally broken down into three tiers:

Tier One: Performance-based (Most Miles Overall, Most Trips).
Tier Two: Creative categories (GPS Art, Points of Interest).
Tier Three: Raffles (Open to everyone who logs at least one ride).

Mastering the Creative Route Bike to Work Challenge

One of our favorite parts of the challenge is the “Creative Route” category. This is where you can let your inner artist shine. In previous years, we’ve seen riders create “GPS Art” by planning routes that look like hearts (one rider drew a heart across San Francisco parks!) or even nostalgic characters like Beavis from Beavis and Butt-Head.

To enter the creative categories:

Plan a route that creates a shape or visits specific landmarks (like every library in your county).
Name your ride in the app starting with the word “Creative” (e.g., “Creative – Heart Route”).
Add a description of what you did.
Email a link to your ride to info@bayareabiketowork.com to ensure the judges see it.

Live-Tracked vs. Manually Logged Rides

We often get asked if you can participate without a smartphone or without allowing location tracking. The answer is yes, but there are some trade-offs.

Feature	Live-Tracked (App)	Manually Logged (Web)
Collective Goal Contribution	Yes	Yes
Raffle Eligibility	Yes	Yes
“Most Miles” Prize Eligibility	Yes	No
“Most Trips” Prize Eligibility	Yes	No
Creative Route Prize	Yes	No

Manual logging is perfect for those who value privacy or don’t have a compatible device. You can log into Ride with GPS via a web browser, select “Upload,” and then “Create Manual Ride.” You’ll enter the distance and time, and it will count toward our 175,000-mile community goal.

Pro Tips for Sustainable Commuting Success

If you’re new to the bike to work challenge, the prospect of riding every day can feel daunting. But remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s participation.

Before you head out, we recommend the A-B-C Quick Check:

A is for Air: Squeeze your tires. They should feel firm, like a basketball.
B is for Brakes: Squeeze your brake levers to make sure they stop the wheels before the lever hits the handlebars.
C is for Chain: Make sure your chain is clean and lubricated, not rusty or gunked up with old grease.

Planning your route is also key. Don’t just follow the way you’d drive a car. Use a “Bike Mapper” tool or the Ride with GPS route library to find quieter streets, dedicated bike paths, or flatter routes. For more inspiration on how to swap car trips for bike trips, check out our guide on green-commuting-ideas.

Safety and Preparation for New Riders

Safety is our top priority. Always wear a helmet—it’s the simplest way to protect yourself. If you’re riding early in the morning or late in the evening, lights are mandatory (white in front, red in back).

Many people find that a “multi-modal” commute is the best way to start. For example, Teresa Datar, a past Bike Champion of the Year, has a 70-mile round-trip commute. She doesn’t ride the whole way! She bikes 6 miles to BART, takes a 35-minute train ride, and then bikes the final 8 miles to her office.

If you’re using BART, remember the rules: bikes are allowed on all trains, but you must use the stairs or elevators (no escalators!) and never board the first car of the train.

Building a Workplace Team

The bike to work challenge is even better with friends. Many organizations set up workplace teams to foster a little friendly rivalry.

Businesses are often categorized by size:

Small: 2-25 employees
Medium: 26-100 employees
Large: 100+ employees

Designate a “Lead Rider” for your office. This person’s job is to register the team, encourage coworkers, and perhaps even organize a “bike train” (where everyone meets at a central spot and rides in together). Winning as a team can earn your company gift certificates and, more importantly, bragging rights for the rest of the year. For more tips on organizing your workplace, see our green commuting ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Challenge

Who is ineligible for prizes?

While everyone is encouraged to ride and contribute to the 175,000-mile goal, certain people cannot win the cash or gift card prizes. This includes staff members of the MTC, official challenge organizers, and their immediate household members. This ensures the competition remains fair for the general public.

What happens if we reach the 175,000-mile goal early?

If we hit 175,000 miles on May 20th, do we stop? Absolutely not! We celebrate, and then we keep riding. All rides logged through May 31st count toward individual prizes and raffles. The goal is a floor, not a ceiling.

Can I participate without a smartphone?

Yes! As mentioned in the tracking section, you can manually enter your rides via the Ride with GPS website. While you won’t be eligible for the “Most Miles” performance prizes (which require GPS verification), you will still be helping us reach our collective goal and will be entered into the general raffles.

Conclusion

At Refugio do Jardim, we believe that every pedal stroke is a step toward a more sustainable and connected community. The bike to work challenge isn’t just a competition; it’s an invitation to see your neighborhood from a different perspective.

When we choose the bike over the car, we aren’t just reducing emissions; we’re improving our own mental hygiene, saving money on gas, and proving that big changes start with small, daily choices. Whether you’re aiming for the $500 top prize or just want to log your first-ever commute, we are rooting for you.

For more tips on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, explore our resources on green-commuting-ideas. We’ll see you out on the road!