Streetfilms: NYC Bike to Work Day, 2009

Last year, bicycling in New York City shot up 35 percent. Take a look at the streets, and it's easy to see why: Bike lanes, bike racks and other amenities are popping up everywhere. There are now 185,000 daily riders in the city.

Today, NYCDOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan was one of them, leading a commuter ride from Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza to City Hall. Along the way, there was a brief stop on the Brooklyn Bridge for Transportation Alternatives' Bike Breakfast. Then it was on to City Hall for a presser with Council Member David Yassky, co-sponsor of the Bicycle Access Bill (Intro 871), which he expects to pass later this year.

We spoke to many cyclists, a few of whom were inspired to ride to work for the first time ever. Press play to hear what they had to say.