Bike Month Profile: Katie Omberg

In celebration of May as National Bike Month, we are asking League staff members why they ride and how they make the most of Bike Month.

First up is Katie Omberg, our membership and events associate.

Hi Katie, what’s your favorite Bike Month experience?

Last year’s Bike to Work Day was a month after I joined the League staff. It was so exciting! It was my first Bike Month event.  I had never seen so many cyclists on the roads, and everyone looked so happy to be out and about on their bikes.

WABA hosted a huge event that morning at Freedom Plaza in DC, which was packed with cyclists. We started helping set up the square at 6:00 am, and got to tabling for the League once commuters started biking in. I had a lot of fun meeting our members, and telling others about how we’re working for cyclists all year round (every day is Bike to Work Day in our office!).

I left that day feeling so happy and proud of the work we do, and of the community of cyclists as a whole. Seeing how happy everyone on their bike looked help take me from a three-day a week commuter to someone who bikes to work every day.

Why do you ride your bike?

I ride for transportation: to work, running errands, or visiting friends.

How often do you ride to work?

Every day, unless it is pouring rain.

What’s the longest ride you’ve ever done?

Distance isn’t my strong suit; I bike for transportation and live near my job, so the longest is probably 12 miles in a day.

What tips do you have for new bike commuters?

Just do it! I was really afraid to ride in the road for a long time, which made it impossible to commute to work by bike. A friend told me “it’s really hard and scary until you’re in the road, and then you realize that you’ll be just fine,” and I followed her advice.

The first time I did it I’ll admit, I was scared, but it was such a rush to know I could get from Point A to Point B on my bike, quick and easy. You just have to be brave enough to do it once, and then you’ll keep coming back for more.

What do know now that you wish you knew before you started to ride frequently?

To get panniers. They’ve made grocery shopping so much easier!

What do you typically wear to ride?

Normal clothes; whatever I’m wearing to work!

Thanks, Katie!