Group Gears Up For Bike To Work Week

Laura Kelly, center, a longtime bicycling advocate, speaks Friday with Kristin Klemm during an announcement to declare May 12-18 as Bike To Work Week on the Fayetteville square before riders left for a crosstown ride along the city's trail system. Residents are encouraged by the city and Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks to ride their bicycles to work during the coming week and residents of Benton and Washington counties can track their mileage to be eligible for prizes in the annual Commuter Challenge.

Laura Kelly, center, a longtime bicycling advocate, speaks Friday with Kristin Klemm during an announcement to declare May 12-18 as Bike To Work Week on the Fayetteville square before riders left for a crosstown ride along the city's trail system. Residents are encouraged by the city and Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks to ride their bicycles to work during the coming week and residents of Benton and Washington counties can track their mileage to be eligible for prizes in the annual Commuter Challenge.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

FAYETTEVILLE — City employees and the Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks are challenging people to make their daily commute on two wheels next week.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan kicked off Bike to Work Week on the Fayetteville square Friday with a proclamation encouraging people to get out and be active.

“Bicycling has been recognized worldwide as an affordable, non-polluting method of transport that relieves traffic congestion, promotes livable community design and preserves environmental quality,” Jordan said. Jordan’s proclamation was followed by a group ride to Mellow Mushroom pizza along city trails.

Web Watch

For more information, or to compete in the Bike to Work Week commuter challenge, go to bconwa.com.

Source: Staff Report

The League of American Bicyclists recognizes May as National Bike Month. The nonprofit organization, which encourages cities and states to build better bicycle facilities, named Fayetteville a “Bicycle Friendly Community” last year, along with Bentonville, Conway and North Little Rock.

The league rated Arkansas as the least bicycle friendly state in the country in 2012, but upped that ranking to No. 37 this year. Rankings are based on legislation and enforcement; policies and programs; infrastructure and funding; education and encouragement; and evaluation and planning.

As in years past, the Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks, a Fayetteville nonprofit group, will hold a commuter challenge. Workplaces with more than two employees in Washington and Benton counties can log how many miles employees travel on their bikes Sunday through May 18. Prizes will be awarded for highest percentage of participants, total miles logged and longest daily commute.

Laura Kelly, a member of the bicycle coalition’s board, said Bike to Work Week is all about making people feel good.

“I’ve been a cyclist my whole life,” Kelly said. “I’m always in a good mood when I ride my bike. And I’m almost always in a bad mood when I’m in my car.”