Car-Free: The Wheels on the Bike Go ‘Round and ‘Round…
May is National Bicycle Month. May 11th to 15th is Bicycle to Work Week and May 15th is Bicycle to Work Day. If you can’t ride all month or all week, shoot for Friday. Think you can’t commute by bicycle? Guess again, my friends. Unfortunately, there are no events sponsored by the City of Jacksonville Trails and Greenways Commission or the Down East Cyclists’ club. I will be working on getting support for a City-sponsored event next year, provided I’m reappointed to the Trails and Greenways Commission in June.
The NC House of Representatives Transportation Committee will be meeting Tuesday, May 12th. One of the issues on their agenda is HB 1451 Bicycle Protection Act. The Bicycle Protection Act will make it illegal for motorists to harass and throw objects at bicyclists, requires motorists to maintain safe distances and allows bicyclists flexibility in choosing the safest routes. I fully urge any residents of NC to contact their representatives and ask for their support for this legislation. In particular, Onslow County residents should contact Representative George Cleveland (R-NC House 14) who sits on the Transportation Committee for his support. I’ll be posting an email to Mr. Cleveland shortly. Please feel free to use it as a place to start your own.
The Down East Cyclists’ club is planning a Family Run Bicycle Ride for October. The event is still in the earliest of planning stages, but will begin Downtown and follow the Rails-to-Trails path to Camp Lejeune’s Main Gate. A shorter ride will be from Downtown to Wooten Park. The ride will be for charity and requires a non-perishable food item to be donated. I’m working to get Trails and Greenways Commission sponsorship. More information will be disseminated as available.
This week, I surpassed 2,500 miles ridden on Day-Tripper since last August. My ‘09 total is 1,245 miles, which is just shy of my ‘08 total of 1,294. In total, I’ve spent less than $100 on maintenance ($80ish on a new chain and rear cog and $20ish on three broken spokes on my rear wheel). If my quick-and-dirty math is correct, that’s about 4¢ per mile. That’s certainly not a bad return on investment, I think.
Do you have something to say? Say it below.
May 8th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I’ve not ridden to work yet this year … I’m going to try to make it this week.
May 9th, 2009 at 7:21 am
I’ve heard that the Great Frozen North (anywhere North of VA) has thawed. You’re not still frozen in, are you?