Cyclists to be burning calories, not gas, on Bike to Work Day
Posted on Monday, May 12, 2008
Pedaling to work through downtown rushhour traffic doesn’t take nerves of steel when you’re surrounded by several hundred bicycles and escorted by police.
During the morning rush Friday, central Arkansas commuter cyclists can feel what it’s like to rule the road, or the right-hand lane, as part of Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas’ seventh annual Bike to Work Day.
The event includes two group rides, free and open to every bicyclist who wears a helmet. It usually attracts several hundred riders.
For some, the 40-minute trip provides a tutorial in how to use the Arkansas River Trail as a commuter link to a job downtown. For others, it’s a fun ride with coffee, breakfast and prize drawings at the end.
For the bicycle advocates, it’s a chance to persuade the taxpaying world that more citizens want to pedal on city streets.
In honor of rising gasoline prices, the theme for this year’s event is “Burn carbs, not gas.” Two groups will travel from city parks on either side of the Arkansas River Trail to a brief but festive gathering in the Little Rock River Market pavilions.
One ride begins at 6: 45 a.m. at the boatramp parking area east of the Burns Park Golf Course in North Little Rock. The other ride starts at 6: 45 a.m. at the boat-ramp parking area at Murray Park in Little Rock.
Each group will ride its side of the River Trail east toward downtown, with the northern bunch crossing the river on the Broadway Bridge. They’ll join the Little Rock group at the entrance to the Medical Mile on Arch Street and proceed to the River Market for a light breakfast. Riders will receive a free T-shirt and a water bottle. Area bike shops Chainwheel, Arkansas Cycling & Fitness, The Community Bicyclist, Lewis & Clark Outfitters and J&P Bike Shop have preregistration forms. The form is also online, with route maps, at www. bacar. org. Participants can also show up early Friday and register.
Sponsors include the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock, Little Rock Parks and Recreation, the North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, the River Market, Boulevard Bread, Chainwheel, Arkansas Cycling & Fitness, and Delta Trust and Bank.
More information about the event is available from Judy Lansky at lanskygould@comcast. net or (501 ) 225-5343 or Ron Rizzardi at rrizzardi@comcast. net.
RUSH-HOUR RACERS To promote Bike to Work Day and demonstrate the utility of the bicycle as an alternative to the car, the advocates held a second annual Commuter Challenge on May 5. From west Little Rock, Little Rock Mayor Stodola drove his car on Cantrell Road while bicyclist Donnie Van Patter rode his bike an equal distance along the River Trail. Van Patter arrived at the River Market 45 seconds ahead of the mayor. Meanwhile, North Little Rock Mayor Pat Hays beat bicyclist Dyron Hamlin in their equal-distance street-vs.-trail contest by 2 minutes, 20 seconds.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
