You want to bike to work but the 20 miles ride is a little too long for your taste. Is riding your bike completely out of the question? This excuse is given by many people but it's really just an excuse. There's always a solution for your bike ride. Here are some tips.
1 - Go to www.mapmyride.com and check out possible routes to your workplace. You'll get elevation and distance metrics to help show you the route. Also, google maps has a bike route in beta testing as well. Find a place where you could drive your car maybe half the distance and park. Take your bike out and ride the rest of the way to the office.
2 - Check out routes from BARTA's bus schedule at www.bartabus.com and reserve a bike rack for your route. The bus may take you closer to the office and you could bike the rest or you could mix it up and bike to a barta stop, ride the bus to your next stop and than bike the rest of the way.
3 - If you work in another county then check out their alternative transportation options as well. In Philadelphia you have SEPTA and also train service that stops by the Schuylkill River Trail. Mix it up using car, bike, train and bike.
4 - Check out Pennsylvania Commuter Services to arrange for car pooling with a bike rack option.
5 - Get really fit and ride your bike the entire commute! You won't be the first and certainly not the last.
If you are have consternation about how to start biking to work send us an email at info@walkbikeberks.org. We'll be glad to help!
P.S.
Don't forget to check out our webpage for all our Bike To Work activities and register! And if you would like to become a member we've made it easy for you. Just click the button on the right side of this blog that says "Add To Cart" and designate your amount!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
TODAY's Commuter Challenge
Watch Al, Meredith, and Matt take the commuter challenge.
Who will win? Al bicycles to work, Meredith drives, and Matt takes public transportation. Click here. Then set up your own comuter challenge! May is bike month!
Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 21. Visit our website for more details about how you can join WalkBikeBerks as we bicycle to City Hall.
Can't join us? Write to info@walkbikeberks.org and let us know that you are bicycling to work in Berks County!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Invite your local officials to Bike To Work!
Invite your local officials to participate in WalkBikeBerks Bike To Work ride on Friday May 21st at Brentwood Trailhead 7:00a.m. to City Hall (see more details at www.walkbikeberks.org/bike-to-work). The Berks County Commissioners declared a proclamation for Berks County that May is Bike To Work month so help WalkBikeBerks spread the word by going to your local townships and boroughs and inviting your local elected officials to participate in Bike To Work.
See this video from Exeter Township's Supervisor meeting where WalkBikeBerks invites the Supervisors to participate in Bike To Work. If you attend your local meetings regularly you too might become known as "this is the guy with the trails!" Start listening at 19:19:20 into the video and turn up the volume.
http://www.exetertownship.com/Board%20of%20Supervisors/Videos/5-10-10/10_IndividualReports.wmv
Happy Commuting!
See this video from Exeter Township's Supervisor meeting where WalkBikeBerks invites the Supervisors to participate in Bike To Work. If you attend your local meetings regularly you too might become known as "this is the guy with the trails!" Start listening at 19:19:20 into the video and turn up the volume.
http://www.exetertownship.com/Board%20of%20Supervisors/Videos/5-10-10/10_IndividualReports.wmv
Happy Commuting!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Bike To Work Tip #2
What happens if I bike to work and it rains or thunderstorms later in the day making my commute home dangerous? There will always be some excuse for those not inclined to ride their bike to work but this is actually one that's worth discussing.
If you remember our tip from last year than I'll spare you from the Wicked Witch of the East syndrome explanation (however, if you would like more information on it, please email me at info@walkbikeberks.org). However, a simple rain shower doesn't have to damper your enthusiasm for riding your bike to work. Here are some options:
1 - If it's just a shower proper clothing like a rain jacket and/or pants will keep you dry enough to ride into/back from work.
2 - Fenders on your bicycle will also help keep water spray off your back and help keep your bike cleaner.
3 - A helmet cover can be used if you don't have a hood to keep your head dry.
4 - Reduce tire pressure if your tire's are already pumped up to optimal pressure. This will help keep your tires from slipping on roads going around corners.
5 - Berks County's bus service BARTA has a Bike-N-Ride program. Call ahead 12 hours before you plan to leave and let them know which stop/schedule you would like to use so a bike rack can be installed. Ride to/from work while taking BARTA for the other part of your trip. See more information about BARTA at www.bartabus.com. Let them know your desire for racks on all buses making it more convenient and accessible to choose routes.
6 - Check out PA Commuter Services at www.pacommuterservices.com. They arrange for car pooling/van pooling and emergency ride home services, and you may be able to arrange for a pickup. If you need to you could leave your bike at the office then take your car, bus or carpool the next day.
7 - Check out www.weather.com and click on the "detail" information for hourly updates. Often a meteorolgist will tell you there's rain or thunderstorm coming for sometime in the afternoon, but if you check out the hourly forecast you'll get good percent chances of rain for each hour on the hour. You may be able to ride in the morning just prior to expected rainfall and then ride home later in the day staying dry if it's expected to not last all day. I check this website daily and has been a great tool for not wasting a bike commute!
8 - As a last resort if you need to. . . call your spouse to pick you up. It may not be the best alternative to relieving traffic congestion and may cause some "ill will" with your spouse.
With these tips in mind along with the re-introduction of The A-Team movie coming out later this summer you'll be able to say with a smile on your face as Col John "Hannibal" Smith would say . . . "I love it when a plan comes together!"
Happy Commuting!
If you remember our tip from last year than I'll spare you from the Wicked Witch of the East syndrome explanation (however, if you would like more information on it, please email me at info@walkbikeberks.org). However, a simple rain shower doesn't have to damper your enthusiasm for riding your bike to work. Here are some options:
1 - If it's just a shower proper clothing like a rain jacket and/or pants will keep you dry enough to ride into/back from work.
2 - Fenders on your bicycle will also help keep water spray off your back and help keep your bike cleaner.
3 - A helmet cover can be used if you don't have a hood to keep your head dry.
4 - Reduce tire pressure if your tire's are already pumped up to optimal pressure. This will help keep your tires from slipping on roads going around corners.
5 - Berks County's bus service BARTA has a Bike-N-Ride program. Call ahead 12 hours before you plan to leave and let them know which stop/schedule you would like to use so a bike rack can be installed. Ride to/from work while taking BARTA for the other part of your trip. See more information about BARTA at www.bartabus.com. Let them know your desire for racks on all buses making it more convenient and accessible to choose routes.
6 - Check out PA Commuter Services at www.pacommuterservices.com. They arrange for car pooling/van pooling and emergency ride home services, and you may be able to arrange for a pickup. If you need to you could leave your bike at the office then take your car, bus or carpool the next day.
7 - Check out www.weather.com and click on the "detail" information for hourly updates. Often a meteorolgist will tell you there's rain or thunderstorm coming for sometime in the afternoon, but if you check out the hourly forecast you'll get good percent chances of rain for each hour on the hour. You may be able to ride in the morning just prior to expected rainfall and then ride home later in the day staying dry if it's expected to not last all day. I check this website daily and has been a great tool for not wasting a bike commute!
8 - As a last resort if you need to. . . call your spouse to pick you up. It may not be the best alternative to relieving traffic congestion and may cause some "ill will" with your spouse.
With these tips in mind along with the re-introduction of The A-Team movie coming out later this summer you'll be able to say with a smile on your face as Col John "Hannibal" Smith would say . . . "I love it when a plan comes together!"
Happy Commuting!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May is Bike To Work Month in Berks County
As you should already know May is National Bike To Work Month. The efforts of the League of American Bicyclists have gone a long way in recognizing not only May as Bike To Work month but the entire year.
Here in Berks County WalkBikeBerks is making strides to encourage all residents and visitors of Berks County to consider using their bicycle not just as a means of recreation but also of transportation. Studies show that vehicle and bicycle collisions decrease where bicycling activity is increased. Choosing to ride your bike to work helps increase the awareness of bicyclists for motorists and actually contributes toward making riding your bicycle a safer alternative.
The key word here is "choosing" to ride your bike. There are too many roads in this country let alone Berks County where road and community design makes driving a motor vehicle inviting and comfortable but leaves those who would choose to ride their bike or walk without a choice as their roads were built only to accommodate motor vehicles. Yet a bicycle is considered a vehicle under PA state law.
Let your local and state officials know where there is inequity in road design and planning for those who would choose to ride their bikes or walk. If you know of areas in Berks County that need Complete Street maintenance let us know as well. We continue to work with the county planners in updating our Bicycle and Pedestrian Master plan and your input is important.
With all that said we are thankful that the Berks County Commissioners have once again declared May in Berks County Bike To Work month! View this video from BCTV of the Commissioners Workshop from Tuesday May 4th where a proclamation is made and received by some of our board members who also represents bicyclists interest from the Berks County Bicycle Club as well as the League of American Bicyclists.
Happy Commuting!
P.S.
Don't forget about all the exciting events we have planned for May and register today! Visit our website for Bike To Work month events HERE!
Here in Berks County WalkBikeBerks is making strides to encourage all residents and visitors of Berks County to consider using their bicycle not just as a means of recreation but also of transportation. Studies show that vehicle and bicycle collisions decrease where bicycling activity is increased. Choosing to ride your bike to work helps increase the awareness of bicyclists for motorists and actually contributes toward making riding your bicycle a safer alternative.
The key word here is "choosing" to ride your bike. There are too many roads in this country let alone Berks County where road and community design makes driving a motor vehicle inviting and comfortable but leaves those who would choose to ride their bike or walk without a choice as their roads were built only to accommodate motor vehicles. Yet a bicycle is considered a vehicle under PA state law.
Let your local and state officials know where there is inequity in road design and planning for those who would choose to ride their bikes or walk. If you know of areas in Berks County that need Complete Street maintenance let us know as well. We continue to work with the county planners in updating our Bicycle and Pedestrian Master plan and your input is important.
With all that said we are thankful that the Berks County Commissioners have once again declared May in Berks County Bike To Work month! View this video from BCTV of the Commissioners Workshop from Tuesday May 4th where a proclamation is made and received by some of our board members who also represents bicyclists interest from the Berks County Bicycle Club as well as the League of American Bicyclists.
Happy Commuting!
P.S.
Don't forget about all the exciting events we have planned for May and register today! Visit our website for Bike To Work month events HERE!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Bike To Work Month 2010 Is Here!
Bike To Work Month is here! In addition to the many events WalkBikeBerks is hosting throughout the month (check out our webpage for details), we'll be including some helpful tips on how to make your bicycle commute more enjoyable!
To start things out please visit our program from April on BCTV's website.
Enjoy the ride and happy commuting!
To start things out please visit our program from April on BCTV's website.
Enjoy the ride and happy commuting!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Bike To Work Month Competition Sponsors Announced!
Sponsors for our Bike To Work Month competition have now been finalized! We thank Spokes Bike Shop in Hamburg, Lebo's Pedal Parlor in West Lawn and The Crank in Wernersville! Check out the latest for all our Bike To Work Month events at our webpage.
Happy Commuting!
Happy Commuting!
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