Bike to work to bolster healthy habits
Before anyone reaches for those car keys they might want to stop and think about all the reasons they can bike to work. The Imperial Valley Velo Club would like community residents to be open to the possibility of a lifestyle change.
May is National Bike Month and Imperial County celebrates with its inaugural Bike-to-Work Day on Friday as IV Velo Club offers a goodies bag to those who arrive at one of five locations on a bicycle between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Locations are Bucklin Park on Eighth Street in El Centro, Starbucks on Imperial Avenue in El Centro, Brawley Public Library, Johnny’s Burrito in Imperial and Starbucks in Calexico.
The goodies bag contains: energy bar, safety stickers, wrist or ankle reflectors, water bottle and first aid kit. A green biketo-work T-shirt is available for $5 by email: borderangle@yahoo.com or phone: 760-427-0440; size must be specified.
“The idea is to go human with our transportation options,” said Brian McNeece, president of IV Velo Club. “Getting people to break the driving habit can be a major hurdle. But a lot more would bike to work if employers had restrooms to change and clean up. Riders just need to carry a washcloth or towelettes.”
There are many benefits to be had from bicycle commuting.
The most obvious is improved health as well as avoiding traffic, saving money and leaving a smaller footprint on the environment.
Another advantage is anyone can broaden their social network by starting their own bicycle group. Additional clubs include Brawley Bikers, Imperial Valley Cycling and Codigos. “We invite anyone to bike over to our tables on Saturday,” said McNeece.