Kudos to all you bicycle commuters out there! You know how great the ride to and from work is to put your day in the right perspective. We’re not forgetting you utility cyclists either. Living life on two wheels means we’re also doing errands and going to appointments and shopping and meeting friends all while maybe taking a detour through the park just because. Bicyclincoln is coordinating with TREK BICYCLE, 3321 Pioneers Blvd. this Friday the 15th for Bike to Work Day. There will be donuts and coffee for you later commuters at the Trek lot off the Boosalis Trail from 9:00-11:00.
Also, Open Harvest Coop Grocery 330 S. 21st, St. is celebrating Bike to Work Day with a free cookie for those who ride in from 8:00-1:00, while they last.
The City of Lincoln has announced a few upcoming events for us:
To celebrate National Bike Month in May, the City encourages area cyclists to visit Lincoln’s trail system and participate in a variety of local cycling events. Riders can track their miles and find more information about the National Bike Month Challenge in May at lovetoride.net.
Local cycling events include the following:
Tour de Lincoln: Hosted by the Great Plains Trails Network, this free series showcases trails in all four quadrants of the City. The four separate rides begin at 6 p.m. on Thursdays in May at the Jayne Snyder Trails Center, 228 North 21st St. For more information, visit gptn.org. The schedule is as follows:
- May 7 – Southwest Tour, 16 miles
- May 14 – Southeast Tour, 15 miles
- May 21 – Northwest Tour, 12 miles
- May 28 – Northeast Tour, 18 miles
Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day: Community members are encouraged to celebrate Bike to Work Week, May 11 through 17, and Bike to Work Day, May 15, by taking advantage of Lincoln’s extensive trail network. To plan a route for your work commute and for a trails overview, visit gptn.org/the_trails/.
Bikeshare 101 Series: Beginning June 16, Aging Partners Health and Fitness and BikeLNK will co-host a monthly series of interactive learning sessions designed to promote Lincoln’s Bikeshare system and cycling to Lincoln’s seniors. Sessions run until September 8 and are limited to 10 participants. Registration is required by calling 402-441-7575. Electric bikes, conventional bikes and helmets will be provided at no charge.
Trail Trek, Sunday, June 28: The event begins at Lincoln East High School, 1000 S. 70th St., and features five routes, ranging from nine to 48 miles. Each participant receives a shirt, lunch, on-trail water and snacks, and more. To register or for more information, visitgptn.org.
For more information on cycling in Lincoln, visit bike.lincoln.ne.gov, or email [email protected].
Residents interested in cycling may also contact Paul Barnes, Long Range Manager, Planning Department, at [email protected], 402-441-6372 or Stephanie Rouse, Livable Neighborhoods Manager, Urban Development Department, at [email protected], 402-441-8211.
Have a bike you’re no longer using? Want to pass it along to someone who would enjoy it? The Lincoln Bike Kitchen is the recipient of a donation drive this Thursday, May 14.
Also- Would you like to promote cycling at your workplace? (Who wouldn’t?) Would you like to do something about it? Help advocate! Here is a handy guide from the League of American Cyclists:
Employees and employers benefit when their place of work is a Bicycle Friendly Business. Equal opportunity for active commuting and healthy living will enhance your workplace conditions — and, upon review, could earn your company a designation from the League of American Bicyclists.
Why become Bicycle Friendly? • SAVE ON HEALTHCARE COSTS
• DECREASE ABSENTEEISM AND TURNOVER
• INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
• REDUCE PARKING COSTS
What you need to know about bicycling
FOLLOW THE LAW: You have the same rights and duties as drivers. Obey all traffic laws per your state. Find state-specific info at bikeleague.org/state-bike-laws. Ride with traffic; use the rightmost lane headed in the direction you are going.
BE PREDICTABLE: Make your intentions clear to everyone on the road. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars. Signal turns, and check behind you well before turning or changing lanes.
BE CONSPICUOUS: Ride where people can see you and wear bright clothing. Use a front white light, red rear light and reflectors. Make eye contact with others and don’t ride on sidewalks.
THINK AHEAD: Anticipate what drivers, pedestrians, and other bicyclists will do next. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars. Watch for debris, potholes, and road hazards.
RIDE READY: Check that your tires have sufficient air, brakes are working, chain runs smoothly, and quick release levers are closed. Carry tools and supplies that are appropriate for your ride. Wear a helmet.
Provision of amenities
Furnishing secure and convenient bike parking keeps commuters’ bicycles safe from theft and free from weather hazards. Consult the APBP Bicycle Parking Guidelines to make sure your bike parking complies with best practices: apbp.org/publications
All employees must wash their hands, but many bicyclists need to shower after their commute. Workplaces with 50–100 employees should provide one shower; 100–250 employees two showers; and 250+ employees at least four showers. Too small to provide a shower? At least provide a space where employees can store a change of clothes throughout the day.
Notify your employees and participate in National Bike Month. Host a Bike to Work Day event at your workplace, like a free breakfast for bicycle commuters or group ride from the office. Launch a company-wide Bike Month challenge and encourage your employees to participate in the National Bike Challenge. nationalbikechallenge.org
Safety awareness training
Ensure your employees comply with the rules of the road and feel comfortable riding by offering bicycle education classes. Work with a local League Cycling Instructor or certify a staff member as an LCI to offer bicycle education classes for employees.
Issue bicycling education materials to employees on a regular basis. Offer bike maps, rules of the road, and bicycle safety tipsin your workplace common area and new employee packets. Share the League’s educational videos and other online resources with employees through email or on your company’s intranet. bikeleague.org/ridesmart
Workplace standards
DESIGNATE A BIKE COORDINATOR — full-time, part-time or volunteer — to help promote bicycling. Identify an individual who is responsible for coordinating bike events, programs, and facilities to keep bicycles as a viable transportation option at yourworkplace.
SET AND EVALUATE ANNUAL GOALS to help increase ridership. Set an ambitious, attainable target to increase the percentage of trips made by bike in the workplace. Regular bike counts and staff surveys can help you determine the success of your efforts.
Workplace recognition
APPLY FOR BICYCLE FRIENDLY BUSINESS DESIGNATION
The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) program provides standards to guide your progress and recognize workplace achievement. Your BFB application is free, confidential, and entitles you to detailed feedback on how to improve. bikeleague.org/business