Welcome to Bike to Work Week 2009! This is your annual reminder that bicycling is a great way to get in shape, save money on gas, explore your neighborhood and reduce your carbon footprint. To top it all off, riding a bike is fun too! Below is a schedule of Santa Fe Bike to Work Week free events to check out. Enjoy the warm spring weather and pedal on down to the Railyard Friday morning for a festive Bike to Work Day fun and giveaways. You know you want to ride your bike, so the question is what is stopping you?*
Bike to Work Week - May 11-16, 2009
Workshops and Events
*workshop participants get free GCCC passes and Santa Fe Alliance Buy Local t-shirts, as supplies last
Monday, May 11
6 p.m. at Genoveva Chavez Community Center, 3221 Rodeo Rd.
“On-the-Road Adjustments and Safety” by the staff of Rob and Charlie’s
“Rules of the Road” by Santa Fe Police Department Bike Patrol
*Bike to the Chavez Center workshop on Monday and use the facility free!
Tuesday, May 12
6 p.m. at REI “Bike Maintenance 101"
6 p.m. at The Broken Spoke, 1403 2nd St. “Fix a Flat”
Wednesday, May 13
6 p.m. at REI “Bike Commuting/Traffic Laws”
6 p.m. at Warehouse 21, 1614 Paseo de Peralta
“Do It Yourself Bicycle Maintenance” by Frankie’s Flats/Chainbreaker Collective
“Creative Building and Repair” by Ed Lucero and Joshua Keeler
Thursday, May 14
5:30 p.m. Critical Mass ride leaves from the Santa Fe Plaza
Friday May 15
7 a.m. – 10 a.m. BIKE TO WORK DAY on the Railyard
FREE food, coffee, t-shirts to the first 350 people, prizes and giveaways – take a swing at the goathead piñata - Bikeways maps – bicycle maintenance experts – Youth helmet fitting by Christus St. Vincent Hospital - Santa Fe Trails bus demo – join a convoy to the Railyard, route details and map online!
7 a.m. - 10 a.m. Green Business Network meeting at the Railyard Plaza
Join the Santa Fe Allaince and the Green Business Network at the Bike to Work Event on the Railyard plaza! What's better for business than healthy, happy, and green workers fresh from a bike ride?
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. NM Department of Transportation Day at NMDOT HQ, 1120 Cerrillos Rd. The public is invited to come and celebrate all modes of transportation! Info: Megan Arredondo (505) 827-5187
6 p.m. Family Ride class at REI
6 - 8 p.m. NM Bike N Sport hosts "ladies night" with special guest Pro Mountain Biker, Krista Park. Park will give a clinic on Mountain Bike racing, with wine and cheese, 20% off clothes and accessories, 10% off bikes
Saturday, May 16
10 a.m. Community/Family Ride hosted by Second Street Brewery, 1814 Second Street. The ride, which will make a big loop, starts and ends at the restaurant and includes the rail trail and arroyo Chamisa trails. It will last around an hour. Afterward, participants are invited to the brewery for the crawfish boil, which participants can enjoy at a discount.
Sunday, May 17, 7am - 5:30 pm
Santa Fe Century 25, 50 and 100 mile rides
Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, corner of St. Michael's Dr. & Hospital Dr.
* Eliminating Bike Commuting Excuses
I’m out of shape
Ride at an easy pace; in a few months you will be in great shape.
Ride your route on a weekend to find the easiest way to work.
You will improve your fitness level when you become a regular bike commuter.
It takes too long
The average commuter travels at 10 mph; the more you ride, the faster you will become.
Trips of less than three miles will be quicker by bike.
Trips of five to seven miles in urban areas may take the same time or less as by car.
It’s too far
Try riding to work and taking mass transit home, then alternating the next day.
Combine riding and mass transit to shorten your commute.
Ride to a coworker’s house and carpool to work.
No bike parking
Look around for a storage area in your building or office.
Stash your bike in a covered, secure place such as a closet or even your office.
Formally request that your employer provide bike parking or lock it up outside.
My bike is beat up
Tell a reputable bike shop that you are commuting and have them tune up your bike.
If you can’t maintain your bike yourself, identify bike shops near your route.
Make sure that your bike is reliable and in good working order before you ride.
No showers
Most commuters don’t shower at work; ride at an easy pace to stay cool and dry.
Ride home at a fast pace if you want a workout; shower when you get there.
Health clubs offer showers; get a discounted membership for showers only.
I have to dress up
Keep multiple sets of clothing at work; rotate them on days you drive.
Have work clothes cleaned at nearby laundromats or dry cleaners.
Pack clothes with you and change at work; try rolling clothes instead of folding.
It’s raining
Fenders for your bike and raingear for your body will keep you dry.
If you are at work, take transit or carpool to get home; ride home the next day.
Take transit or drive if you don’t have the gear to ride comfortably in the rain.
The roads aren’t safe
Obey traffic signs, ride on the right, signal turns, and stop at lights.
Wear bright clothing.
You are at no greater risk than driving a car.
Wear a helmet every time you ride.
I have to run errands
Bolt a rack to the back of your bike to add carrying capacity.
Make sure that you have a lock to secure your bike while you are in a building.
Allow extra time to get to scheduled appointments and find parking.
Encourage your employer to provide a bicycle fleet for office use.
For more information on how to make your workplace more bicycle friendly visit
www.bikeleague.org.
More Info:
Santa Fe Bike to Work Week
Santa Fe Bikeways and Trails Map
National Bike to Work Week
Santa Fe Century
