Bike to Work Day Column
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Chris Rall
May 15, 2008, 10:40:42 AM5/15/08
to Green Wheels
Hi Everybody,
Our friend David Cobb of Democracy Unlimited covered Bike to Work Day in his regular column today in the Times Standard. I hope you get a chance to read it and take part in the fun. Eureka activities are tomorrow and Arcata events are next Friday, May 23. The riding weather is certainly fine!
Text below.
Cheers,
Chris
**********************************************************
The two-wheeled solution
David Cobb
Article Launched: 05/15/2008 01:24:26 AM PDT
May is national Bike Month. As is happening across the country, Humboldt cyclists are celebrating by inviting folks to join the people's pedal-powered revolution.
Part of the local celebration includes a series of rallies and events to help facilitate “Bike to Work Days.”
The rallies will happen Friday, May 16, at noon at the Eureka Gazebo (corner of F and Second streets) and Friday, May 23, at noon at the Arcata Plaza. Cyclists -- and those who love them -- will gather for snacks, drinks and a free raffle. There will be contests for the longest commute, for the best commuter bike and a fix-a-flat-tire race.
And organizers know that when you bike to work, food is your fuel. That's why they are partnering with local businesses to create “Fueling Stations” for folks biking to their rallies.
Between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m., cyclists will receive a free beverage and snack at the Eureka Co-op (Fourth and B streets) on May 16 and at the Arcata Co-op (Eighth and I streets) on May 23.
The Humboldt Bike To Work Coalition is organizing these events, and the coalition includes folks from Green Wheels, North Coast Co-op, Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association and the Bigfoot Bicycle Club.
The efforts of these local cycling enthusiasts are earning acknowledgment and appreciation at the national level. The League of American Bicyclists named Arcata as on of the nation's “Bicycle Friendly Communities.”
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And cycling really does make a difference. For example, when you take a four-mile round trip commute on a bicycle rather than a car, you have just prevented approximately 15 pounds of greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions from polluting our air.
And with a little planning and the right equipment, it's actually very easy to bike to work. The Humboldt Bike To Work Coalition offers the following tips to help to make a bike commute more pleasant:
* Plan the best route to your school or workplace by taking a look at a local bike map. Bikeways vary, and one may be more appropriate for your skill level than others.
* Test-drive your route. If you are uncertain how long it will take to get to work in the morning, give your route a test drive. This will allow you the opportunity to adjust your route if needed before the “real” commute.
* Prepare for your ride the night before. Pack your change of clothing and pump up your tires the night before your commute. Note: Rolling up your clothes rather than folding prevent wrinkles.
* Getting cleaned up at work: Keep a small toiletry kit at the office to make yourself presentable for the workday. If you wear athletic clothing and moderate your speed, you may find that you will not be sweaty at all.
* Keep your eye on the weather report. That way you'll know ahead of time whether or not you'll need a rain jacket for your ride. Most weather Web sites provide information on wind speed and direction. Along Humboldt Bay, it's always nice to know if you'll be facing a strong headwind or if it will be pushing you along from behind.
* Bike commute with a friend: Bicycling with a buddy is more fun and you'll be more motivated to ride if you have someone else depending on you.
And remember basic bike safety rules. Ride in the same direction as traffic. It's the law, and it keeps you and others safe. Motorists are not looking for cyclists riding from the wrong direction, and riding against traffic endangers other cyclists who are obeying the law.
Remember to observe all traffic controls, such as stop signs and traffic lights. And use hand signals. After all, bicycles are traffic!
Wear bright and reflective clothing on your ride to increase your visibility to motorists and others using the road. This is particularly important during low light conditions at dawn and dusk.
More and more people are recognizing the potential of bicycling to address the challenges of climate change, traffic congestion and ever-increasing fuel prices. Plus, it's just plain fun to ride a bike!
David Cobb was the Green Party candidate for president in 2004 and currently works for Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County. He can be reached at da...@duhc.org or 269-0984. He is also the host of “Thursday Night Talk” which airs on KHSU radio on 90.5 FM every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Our friend David Cobb of Democracy Unlimited covered Bike to Work Day in his regular column today in the Times Standard. I hope you get a chance to read it and take part in the fun. Eureka activities are tomorrow and Arcata events are next Friday, May 23. The riding weather is certainly fine!
Text below.
Cheers,
Chris
**********************************************************
The two-wheeled solution
David Cobb
Article Launched: 05/15/2008 01:24:26 AM PDT
May is national Bike Month. As is happening across the country, Humboldt cyclists are celebrating by inviting folks to join the people's pedal-powered revolution.
Part of the local celebration includes a series of rallies and events to help facilitate “Bike to Work Days.”
The rallies will happen Friday, May 16, at noon at the Eureka Gazebo (corner of F and Second streets) and Friday, May 23, at noon at the Arcata Plaza. Cyclists -- and those who love them -- will gather for snacks, drinks and a free raffle. There will be contests for the longest commute, for the best commuter bike and a fix-a-flat-tire race.
And organizers know that when you bike to work, food is your fuel. That's why they are partnering with local businesses to create “Fueling Stations” for folks biking to their rallies.
Between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m., cyclists will receive a free beverage and snack at the Eureka Co-op (Fourth and B streets) on May 16 and at the Arcata Co-op (Eighth and I streets) on May 23.
The Humboldt Bike To Work Coalition is organizing these events, and the coalition includes folks from Green Wheels, North Coast Co-op, Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association and the Bigfoot Bicycle Club.
The efforts of these local cycling enthusiasts are earning acknowledgment and appreciation at the national level. The League of American Bicyclists named Arcata as on of the nation's “Bicycle Friendly Communities.”
Advertisement
And cycling really does make a difference. For example, when you take a four-mile round trip commute on a bicycle rather than a car, you have just prevented approximately 15 pounds of greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions from polluting our air.
And with a little planning and the right equipment, it's actually very easy to bike to work. The Humboldt Bike To Work Coalition offers the following tips to help to make a bike commute more pleasant:
* Plan the best route to your school or workplace by taking a look at a local bike map. Bikeways vary, and one may be more appropriate for your skill level than others.
* Test-drive your route. If you are uncertain how long it will take to get to work in the morning, give your route a test drive. This will allow you the opportunity to adjust your route if needed before the “real” commute.
* Prepare for your ride the night before. Pack your change of clothing and pump up your tires the night before your commute. Note: Rolling up your clothes rather than folding prevent wrinkles.
* Getting cleaned up at work: Keep a small toiletry kit at the office to make yourself presentable for the workday. If you wear athletic clothing and moderate your speed, you may find that you will not be sweaty at all.
* Keep your eye on the weather report. That way you'll know ahead of time whether or not you'll need a rain jacket for your ride. Most weather Web sites provide information on wind speed and direction. Along Humboldt Bay, it's always nice to know if you'll be facing a strong headwind or if it will be pushing you along from behind.
* Bike commute with a friend: Bicycling with a buddy is more fun and you'll be more motivated to ride if you have someone else depending on you.
And remember basic bike safety rules. Ride in the same direction as traffic. It's the law, and it keeps you and others safe. Motorists are not looking for cyclists riding from the wrong direction, and riding against traffic endangers other cyclists who are obeying the law.
Remember to observe all traffic controls, such as stop signs and traffic lights. And use hand signals. After all, bicycles are traffic!
Wear bright and reflective clothing on your ride to increase your visibility to motorists and others using the road. This is particularly important during low light conditions at dawn and dusk.
More and more people are recognizing the potential of bicycling to address the challenges of climate change, traffic congestion and ever-increasing fuel prices. Plus, it's just plain fun to ride a bike!
David Cobb was the Green Party candidate for president in 2004 and currently works for Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County. He can be reached at da...@duhc.org or 269-0984. He is also the host of “Thursday Night Talk” which airs on KHSU radio on 90.5 FM every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
-- Chris Rall Executive Director Green Wheels: an affiliate of the NEC http://green-wheels.org/ 707.633.4488
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