Did you know that half the cars on our roads during rush hour are commuters traveling fewer than five miles? That’s a harsh statistic released by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, a non-profit advocacy organization.
National Bike to Work Month, supported locally by many organizations each May, offers a great excuse to get out from behind your automowheel and pedal those five miles instead.
Not only will you be doing your part to ease congestion and cut down on pollution, you’ll save money on gas (not exactly pocket change these days), get some exercise and bring focus to the importance of bicycle-safe streets and paths in our communities.
And you might just find that your commute is more enjoyable when you’re out in the fresh air instead of stuck in gridlock!'
Businesses benefit from encouraging their employees to commute by bike, too.
“It’s a huge wellness benefit,” says Chris Cameron, Director of Bicycle Transportation for Cascade Bicycle Club. “People who bike to work are much less likely to be sick by quite a large percentage. Your productivity goes up because you’re invigorated when you get to work.”
Cameron adds that not only has there been a surge in the number of people commuting by bike nationally, but also in the greater Seattle area. “Seattle has more participants than any other city in the country,” he says.
Still, there are some hurdles. “The number one impediment is fear of traffic,” says Cameron. “We teach classes at Cascade and at companies all around the Puget Sound region … people are very curious about the techniques of navigating in traffic.”
Cascade’s one-hour commuting class covers basics like equipment, but also addresses ways to ride safely on the roads. “It’s not hard to learn at all,” says Cameron, “but it helps to be shown — it’s not always intuitive.”
Bike-to-Work Month events around the region:
King County
Cascade Bicycle Club leads the events in King County. Look for more than 11,000 riders on May 16 with more than 40 commute stations all over the region offering free snacks, drinks, maps, commuting info and goodies. Local bike shops will provide expert mechanical support. Many local shops will also provide discounts throughout the month. Go to www.cbcef.org for maps and details.
The city of Redmond expects 500 commuters in its third annual Tour de Redmond Bicycle Commuter Challenge June 1 – July 31. Participants must be a member of the Greater Redmond Transportation Management Association. www.grtma.org/yourtourderedmond.asp
Snohomish County
Snohomish County will reprise its successful Bike to Work Challenge this year from May 12 – June 15. Last year, nearly 800 riders participated in the program, which challenges Snohomish County residents to bike to work at least five times during the month. Go to www.commtrans.org or commtrans.org/?mc=programs&subcat=8#challenge for details.
Pierce County
Pierce County residents can do their part by participating in Pierce Transit’s CarLESS Commute program. The focus is on getting commuters to take alternate transportation to work, whether by bike, train or bus. For info, go to www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/parks/CarlessCom.htm.
Thurston County
Thurston County will hold its 21st annual Bicycle Commuter Contest (BCC) in May. Register with Intercity Transit for $5 and log miles ridden (commuting only — no recreational miles) in May. Last year, 1,005 participants collectively pedaled more than 87,500 miles, and with rising gas prices organizers hope to attract 1,200 bicycle commuters this year. For more info, visit www.intercitytransit.com or check out the BCC blog at www.ThurstonBCC.blogspot.com.
Portland
“We concentrate our efforts in September as part of our Bike Commute Challenge,” says Michelle Poyourow of Oregon’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance. In support of Bike to Work Month, however, they will be offering extra commute workshops in May.
The city of Portland has a full slate of events planned, including a commuter race on May 1 between a driver and a bicyclist that will start in northeast Portland and end downtown.
On May 7 there will be a Bike to Work breakfast in Pioneer Courthouse Square, followed by a lunchtime beginners ride on the 8th. Portland has implemented a variety of programs to increase bicycle commuting in the city.
“We’re doing a new program called Bike Champions where we’re engaging cycling commuters who work downtown and challenging them to bring in new bike commuters,” says SmartTrips Downtown Program Manager Steve Hoyt-McBeth.
For information on Bike to Work Month happenings in Portland, visit www.gettingaroundportland.org.
Spokane
This year will be the first time Spokane has organized events for Bike to Work Week.
“We felt it was important to have more than just Bike to Work Day, so people who couldn’t bike commute for some reason on that specific day could still participate,” says lead organizer Barb Chamberlain. “With people more and more interested both in improving their personal health and reducing their personal carbon footprint as the price of gas shoots up, bike commuting is here to stay.”
Spokane kicks off Bike to Work Week with a breakfast at Riverfront Park May 12, followed by Bike to School Day on May 14. They’ll wrap up the week with a party and prize drawing at Steamplant Grill in downtown Spokane.
Register for Bike to Work events and find more information at www.biketoworkspokane.org.
At a glance:
May 2008 is the 57th Annual National Bike to Work Month
May 12 – 16 is National Bike to Work Week
Friday, May 16 is
Bike to Work Day
Resources:
Seattle and King County, Cascade Bicycle Club: www.cbcef.org
Tacoma and Pierce County: www.piercecountywa.org
Thurston County: www.intercitytransit.com
Snohomish County: www.communitytransit.com
Bicycle Alliance of Washington: www.bicyclealliance.org
Spokane: www.biketoworkspokane.org
Bicycle Transportation Alliance (Oregon): www.bta4bikes.org
Portland: www.gettingaroundportland.org
Jennifer Donahue is an avid bicyclist and a freelance writer living in Kenmore, Wash.
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