Have you ever thought about biking to work, or are you too tired (or two-tired)?
Garnering the nerve and energy to ride your bicycle to the office is difficult, but working long hours and not finding time for the gym is frustrating. It’s a vicious cycle – pun intended. With more than half of the U.S. population living within five miles of their workplace, shouldn’t we consider a healthier way to get to our places of employment?
The number of bike commuters has actually increased 60 percent over the past decade, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Our community has also seen an increase with nearly 100 miles of bike paths, new bike lanes and sharrows added to Muirfield Drive, Coffman Road and Emerald Parkway. Dublin was also named a bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists.
Cpl. Kevin Keiffer has been part of the Dublin Police Bike Patrol Unit for 11 years and has served as bicycle coordinator for seven. He says he has seen an increase in bike riding as transportation in Dublin. He recommends riders be visible and predictable, and advises motorists to remember that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as motorized traffic.
“Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as vehicles,” says Keiffer. “People talk about our bike paths, but remember, they are really multi-use paths for walkers and skateboarders, too.”
The Dublin police force has 14 officers trained for bike patrol and finds many benefits to riding. Not only does it cut down on fuel costs, road congestion, pollution and vehicle repair, but it also allows the police on second and third shifts to be stealthier when looking for crime.
“Officers ride as needed and use bike riding as a tool,” says Keiffer. “Bike officers always need to be dressed to ride from March to November, with bikes hooked on the patrol cars so they can deploy their bikes and use as needed.”
Dublin resident Jim McKenna lives in Dublin and bikes 17 miles round-trip to work in Hilliard. Last year, he logged 3,000 miles and fit in almost 200 rides. His commute takes 30-45 minutes depending on the wind.
He rides in almost any weather.
“I will ride in 15 degrees with a helmet and ski goggles and ride home in the pouring rain,” says Jim. “I don’t like to start my day in the rain, but I keep extra clothes at the office.”
Jim hurt his knee 25 years ago, and his doctor told him to start biking. Jim has ridden tens of thousands of miles since then and says the exercise is his main reason. “I get to work feeling energized and ready to take on the day,” he says.
Jim suggests planning your route ahead of time so you don’t end up in dark or unsafe areas. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has a web page at www.morpc.org to help bikers map their destinations with the Columbus metro bike users map. It also has a “RideSolutions” page to match cyclists in the same community looking to commute to work with a buddy. The website www.dublinohiousa.gov/bicycling-in-dublin/ has information on properly fitting a helmet, finding a safe route to school or around town and properly handling a roundabout. Make sure to check the site for updates on events around Dublin for National Bike Month in May.
Chad Simmons started commuting to classes at The Ohio State University when he was a student and then got interested in mountain biking, followed by road biking. He was inspired by a neighbor who rides his bike to work every day, so Chad gave it a try last May.
“As a father of three, it’s tough to fit exercise into my day, so this is a creative way to be active and enjoy the outdoors,” says Chad.
Chad lives in Worthington Hills and rides 10 miles round-trip to his private practice, Simmons Rehab and Wellness, on Tuller Road. He finds motorists to be courteous but gets frustrated when he sees cyclists make poor decisions, such as riding side by side.
“I try to make it easy for drivers,” says Chad. He has ridden 900 miles since May and says he feels invigorated when he arrives at his practice next to Good Bodies. “I feel like a kid again.”
Arica Thomas lives in Dublin and works in downtown Columbus. For two years, she has been riding 26 miles round-trip, and she is grateful for the bike path on Henderson Road and the Olentangy Trail.
“I have to get up extra early, but it’s worth it because riding is such a stress reliever,” says Arica. “And it’s more fun than going to the gym.”
The craziest morning bike trek she had involved an elderly woman who was driving slowly in front of her where the bike path shares the road around North Broadway. Arica continued riding slowly behind her and where the bike path split from the road, the woman turned – onto the bike path. The driver sped up until Arica couldn’t keep up with her, while runners jumped into the grass to avoid being hit.
Arica stopped and called 911 while the woman kept driving down the path and over the wooden bike bridge.
Hopefully, everyone got to their destinations safely, but it’s a reminder to always be alert, whether on two wheels or four.
Colleen D’Angelo is a freelance writer who lives in Dublin with her husband, three children and several small animals. She enjoys playing tennis, walking the Dublin bike paths and traveling.
