PICTURED: Bike HUB volunteer Maya Zubia. Photo courtesy Bike Ventura County
By Darrin Peschka and David Goldstein
Amid encouraging indicators that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, extra companies are re-opening and employees are returning to the workplace.
If you’re among the many workers returning to in-individual work, even when only some days a week, now is a good time to contemplate incorporating a motorcycle into your work commute.
May is Bike Month, and the Ventura County Transportation Commission is encouraging residents to go away their automobiles at dwelling and trip a motorcycle as a substitute.
Linda Quiquivix prepares a motorcycle for the Healing Cyclesem exhibit at Oxnard Bike HUB. Photo courtesy Bike Ventura County
During Bike Month, individuals who pledge to trip shall be entered for an opportunity to win one among six $250 reward playing cards. You could make the pledge at VCTC’s web site, goventura.org/pledge. Participants have to be over the age of 18, and pledges have to be made by May 31.
There are a number of alternatives to take part in Bike Month. During Bike to Work Week (May 16-20) and Bike to Work Day (May 20), think about driving a motorcycle to work as a substitute of driving.
In Ventura County, about 1,717 individuals commute to work by bicycle, in response to the 2020 American Community Survey. That determine, about 0.4 % of the county’s commuters, is according to different counties in Southern California, in response to the survey.
If your work commute is just too far for bicycling, think about pairing a motorcycle trip with a bus or practice journey. Most Southern California transit operators supply on-board storage compartments for bicycles in addition to bike racks and locking amenities at stops and stations. VCTC Intercity service permits electrical bikes (e-bikes) in bike racks if they don’t have moist-cell batteries. Rules could differ, so it’s finest to examine with particular person operators about bringing bikes on board.
Swapping a automobile for a motorcycle is an easy approach to assist the setting by decreasing site visitors congestion and reducing air air pollution. Biking as a substitute of driving will also be a method to save a little bit cash. The worth of normal unleaded gasoline is about $5.80 per gallon in Ventura County, in response to AAA, so driving a motorcycle as a substitute of driving can imply holding a couple of extra {dollars} in your pocket.
If you’re not returning to the office, think about biking as a substitute of driving to run errands and get to appointments.
Riding a motorcycle and having fun with the outside may be good for bodily and psychological well being, and May can also be Mental Health Awareness Month, so the non-revenue Bike Ventura County (BikeVC), which helps individuals repair their very own bicycles at Bike HUB outlets in Ventura and Oxnard, partnered with native artists who will rework bicycles into artworks selling psychological well being outreach.
“People most in need of Bike HUB assistance to keep bikes running are homeless or have mental health issues. It is empowering for them to come to the HUB and learn how to keep a bicycle running,” mentioned Chris Barton, Ventura Bike HUB Shop Manager. HUBs (Helping Urban Bicyclists) cost on a sliding scale for spare components and mortgage all of the instruments wanted for repairs.
Additionally, Sergio Garcia, Education Program Lead for BikeVC, is main education schemes in faculties throughout Bike Month. During three-week packages at faculties, he’s main bodily training courses on bicycles. Following classes on bike security, he’ll lead rides via neighborhoods.
If you’re an employer, think about incentivizing your workers to bike to work this month. The county of Ventura’s Sustainability Division is internet hosting “Cyclemania,” a collection of occasions to advertise biking to county workers. On 4 days at county amenities, “Welcome Stations” will encourage riders by offering espresso, snacks and academic resources. A presentation on May 19 will clarify commuter and well being advantages accessible to county workers. Cyclemania will conclude May 26 with the Public Works Agency and Ventura County Transportation Commission presenting the county’s Active Transportation Plan and VCTC’s Regional Bikeway Wayfinding Plan, together with info on household-pleasant bike routes.
If you’re a brand new bicycle owner, VCTC makes it straightforward to find out about locations to trip. Visit goventura.org/getting-round/bike and uncover one among Ventura County’s bike routes. The regional bike map highlights Class 1 paths, that are separated from vehicles; Class 2, that are shared-road painted bike lanes; and Class 3, that are on-road bike routes designated by indicators.
Follow VCTC (@GoVCTC) on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or go to www.goventura.org.
For BikeVC and its two bicycle HUBs, go to bikeventura.org.
BikeVC’s <em>Healing Cycles</em> bicycle artwork exhibit opens Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m.4 p.m. on the new Oxnard Bike HUB, 154 E. Sixth St. The painted bicycle artwork exhibit will stay on show on the Oxnard Bike HUB May 15–31, 2022.
Darrin Peschka, program supervisor for presidency and neighborhood relations on the Ventura County Transportation Commission, may be reached at dpeschka@goventura.org.
David Goldstein, Ventura County Public Works Agency Environmental Resource Analyst, could also be reached at david.goldstein@ventura.org or 805-658-4312.