Bike to Work Day

Special advertising supplement to the Reno News & Review.

Want to get into shape, save money and minimize your impact on the environment? Riding your bicycle to work is a great way to accomplish all three at once! If you’ve never ridden your bicycle to work it might sound a little intimidating, but Bike to Work Day on May 15 is the perfect opportunity to give it a try. Plus you could win $500 toward the purchase of a new bike!

Tires flat…bike covered in dust?

Get a free safety check at a Reno area bike shop. (Visit the Bike to Work Day website www.bikenevada.org for a list of participating shops.)

Not an experienced cyclist?

Refresh your memory on the rules of the road before you head out. (See safety tips below.)

Start riding now to get your legs and lungs into shape. Start with just a mile or two and work up to your commute distance.

If you’re not sure how long your commute will take by bike, consider taking a practice ride to work on your day off.

Try to find a bike-buddy so you don’t have to go it alone. See www.rtcwashoe.greenride.com

Local bike shop employees can be a great help in selecting a good bike route.

Commute too long?

Pedal to a bus stop and take RTC RIDE the rest of the way. All the buses have bike racks!

Drive to work and ride your bike home one day, then bike to work the next day and drive home, and so on…this way you only have to ride the one-way distance per day.

Still need more reasons?

Get a free cup of coffee at a participating Commuter Coffee Shops during your two-wheeled commute. (See www.bikenevada.org for a list of participating coffee shops.)

Register on the Bike to Work website and you’ll be entered into a community raffle with the chance to win $500 toward the purchase of a bicycle of your choice!

Avoid the high gas prices by pedaling past the pump. Burn calories, not carbon!

Important

Safety Tips!

Protect your head. Wear a helmet. Did you know that wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce head injuries by 85%? Select a helmet that fits snugly and sits flat on the head.

Make eye contact with drivers. Assume that drivers don’t see you until you are sure they do. Eye contact is important with any driver that might pose a threat to your safety.

Stay alert and always check traffic. Always look left-right-left to ensure that it is safe to proceed, and walk your bicycle into the street to begin your ride. Watch for left or right turning traffic.

Obey traffic signs and signals. Traffic laws apply to bicycles, too. Observe stop signs, traffic lights and other posted signs. Be sure to signal turns, lane changes, and stops.

Avoid road hazards. Always check the road, watch out for gravel, ice, debris, potholes, cracks, expansion joints, or anything in the road that could make you fall. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.

Go with the flow. Never ride against traffic. Motorists aren’t looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the street. Ride on the right side of the road in a straight predictable path.