Long-time cyclist Steve Sims regularly rides his bike to work, but this week he hopes his employees will join him.
Beginning this morning, Sims and other Logansport residents will be participating in national Bike to Work week as workers across the country leave their cars at home and take their bikes instead.
“It’s good for traffic congestion, it’s good for your health and it’s good for your wallet,” Sims said. “I am trying to get my employees to ride to work. I’ve only got three, but I hope that they will.”
The Logansport Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the week and encouraging city residents to follow the example set by Sims.
Administrator Jan Fawley will also be pulling out her bike to get involved in the activities. She said residents should not be put off by biking to work.
“Bicycling is something that everybody can do, and it is pretty easy to get to where you want to go,” Fawley said. “There is an old saying that once you know how to ride your bike, you never forget.”
Mayor Mike Fincher also plans to swap his car keys for a cycling helmet this week. He encouraged the residents to get involved.
“Riding your bike to work is a healthy habit to get into,” Fincher said at last week’s board of works meeting. “It can help reduce stress levels, help you to lose weight and help you sleep better. Riding your bike to work can also save you money by not using gasoline as well as helping the environment.”
According to statistics compliled by the Chicagoland Bicycling Federation, by increasing cycling from 1 percent of all trips to 1 1/2 percent, the United States could save 462 million gallons of gasoline per year. At present, only 0.44 percent of Americans regularly use a bike to get to work.
In a news release, Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, called cycling to work an efficient and fun way to exercise, without having to find extra time to work out
“And this year with gasoline prices inching up daily, biking to work makes more sense than ever,” he said.
• Kevin Smith is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at (574) 732-5148 or kevin.smith@pharostribune.com
Bicycling tips
The Logansport Parks and Recreation Department offers the following tips for those participating in Bike to Work week.
• Have your bike checked over by a local bike shop
• Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a fall or crash
• Ride your route to work when you’re not in a hurry — that way you’ll know how long it will take when you really bike to work
• Ride in the right-most lane that goes in the direction you are traveling
• Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings
• Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act
• Be visible and predictable at all times; wear bright colors and signal turns
Local News
Related Photos
-
BIKING TO WORK: Steve Sims, owner of Dick Sims Crop Insurance Agency, is participating in Bike to Work week beginning today. Sims, who regularly bikes the eight-mile round trip to his office, is encouraging his employees to join him. P-T photo | Kevin Smith
Discussion
City looks forward to Bike to Work week
<b>People expected to ditch cars for bikes</b>
- Local News
-
-
Snowless savings: Warm weather lowers expenses
The unseasonably warm temperatures have allowed state and local road crews to perform roadwork usually conducted in the fall, lowered Logansport Municipal Utilities electric usage and saved all departments overtime pay for employees.
-
Logansport sees jump in grad rate
Logansport High School saw its graduation rate jump four percentage points in numbers released this week by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Officials break ground on $1.1M Eel River Run
Contractors are set to begin work on the mile-long Eel River Run trail in downtown Logansport — the result of more than eight years of planning.
-
Fifth candidate files for county council
A longtime Logansport Municipal Utilities worker and former business owner is the first Democrat to file for county office in the coming primary election.
-
Indy on top of its game: Super Bowl host city earns rave reviews
If praise and adulation could put points on the scoreboard, then Indianapolis had a blowout victory hosting its first Super Bowl.
-
$200K in back taxes owed on Logan mall
The owners of Logansport Mall owe more than $200,000 in back taxes on the building and the land it sits on, Cass County property records show.
-
Logan to pay $21K in benefits payments
The Logansport City Council gave preliminary approval Monday to pay more than $20,000 for seven years of owed retirement payments for a city employee.
-
Two candidates file bids for county council
Two Republicans filed their candidacies for at-large Cass County Council seats Monday.
-
A scientific fellow
Andrew Bever grew up on a sheep farm in Forest, about 40 miles south of Logansport, with a mind that looked at the world more deeply than what’s on the surface.
-
Fed-Mogul says hiring on track
Nearly three months after announcing it would add 94 new jobs, Federal-Mogul in Logansport has filled about one-third of the positions.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Snowless savings: Warm weather lowers expenses
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
