Message from the WinterBikeToWorkDay HQ:

This event began in 2013. The goal has always been to share stories about the simple joy of cycling in winter. The first year saw a few hundred people  participate from communities in Canada, Finland and the USA.

Then it grew to the point where 10000s of people joined from every continent, sparking events from Kazakhstan to Anchorage and everywhere in between.

It was fuelled in part by a friendly – but silly –  “competitive spirit”. Cities and countries would “compete” to see who could “register” the most. Every community participated in its own way. Some pucky advocates in some cities would put go the extra mile to get the word out to make a point and demand change. Inevitably some city in an annoyingly awesome country like Netherlands or Finland would show up and crush the leaderboard, then go back to doing what they always do every day. Anonymous volunteers began translating the site into dozens of languages and it grew. It became a powerful, but gentle reminder to everyone else about how possible – and lovely – it is to ride a bicycle in winter.

Stories and images emerged from you from around the world. Those stories created a sense of togetherness and shared experience that  helped define this event.  

Every year has always been different but it has always been those connections we’ve all made, especially between the snowiest and wintry places, including Russia and Ukraine, that have always kept things fun and interesting. 

Then war came for some of us. Ukraine was invaded and things changed. When people living in cities that used to share joyful stories and host lighthearted events – cities  like Kharkiv and Kyiv for example – became so deeply affected by invasion and violence to the point where participating in this event became very much an afterthought for them, a spark died for the bigger event too.

The joy of being and moving outdoors will always bring us all together. That’s why this website still urges people to celebrate Winter Bike to Work Day, everywhere, BUT we also ask you to think of those who can’t.

If you’d like, you may consider making a small gesture of resistance/love by supporting the Cycling Association of Kyiv’s bike provision campaign.

They, working with like-minded NGOs across Ukraine, help fan bicycles out to those who need them.

Go here to learn more about BikesForUkraine and consider making a donation.