Cycling celebration gets rolling

Nevada County bike enthusiasts have teamed up to spread the word that biking to work is not only fun - but healthy for both the environment and people.

They are doing this by encouraging residents to join others across the nation in peddling to work all week in celebration of "Bike to Work Week" - an annual awareness event that has the support of the county's top elected officials including the Grass Valley City Council, the Nevada City City Council, and the Nevada County Board of Supervisors.

It culminates Friday - "Bike to Work Day" - when members of the local bicycling clubs are organizing for coffee shops and businesses to put out booths to support cycling commuters, said one organizer, Darwin Leek, a chiropractor in Grass Valley and president of the Sierra Express Bicycle Club.

The purpose of the awareness week has many parts, including keeping people healthy, saving money on fuel, and keeping the air cleaner. The idea of peddling to work also fits into the county's General Plan, Leek explained, and can help solve some of the traffic problems - such as the one facing Nevada Union students.

It is also meant to remind motorists that bikers share the road, too. This means that bikers must abide by the same traffic laws as people in cars and that they are susceptible to receiving the same tickets too, Leek said.

It is also just a fun thing to do.

Leek says he often rides his bike from home to work. It is a seven mile journey - one-way - that takes him on Allison Ranch Road. Recently. He said he saw a bobcat skirt across the road in front of him and often sees other wildlife as well.

"It's nice, relaxing, and a stress buster," he said.

Rose Asquith, who works for the City of Grass Valley, is another avid cycling commuter - although she admits her ride is a bit shorter than Leek's, being only two miles round-trip.

For Asquith, the mountain bike is the best commuter option because it has more shock absorbency and the tires are tougher, she said.

Hyland Fisher, the vice president of Bicyclists of Nevada County, was responsible for pioneering this year's activities, Leek said, explaining that Fisher used to live in Portland - a city with a huge biking community - and decided to bring the event here. It is hoped that the event will become an annual tradition in Nevada County.

<B>For cyclists:</B>

• If you haven't ridden your bike in a while, take it to one of Nevada County's bike shops for tune up.

• When riding down streets with parked cars, use caution when passing and look for "clues" that signal if someone is inside, such as smoke coming from an exhaust pipe, or a car door opening.

• Put a rear flashing light on your bike and turn it on day or night. One can be purchased at any local bike shop or at a hardware store.

• Wear bright colors so motorists can see you easily.

On the net Nevada County Bike to Work Week: <A HREF="http://ncbiketowork.blogspot.com">ncbiketowork.blogspot.com</A> Bicyclists of Nevada County: <A HREF="http://www.bonc.org">www.bonc.org</A> Sierra Express Bicycle Club <A HREF="http://www.sierraexpress.org">www.sierraexpress.org</A>

• Remember to follow all traffic rules - this means stopping at red lights and pulling over to allow cars to pass on narrow mountain roads.

• Wear a helmet.

<B>For motorists:</B>

• Drivers with trailers should be particularly aware to check their mirrors for cyclists.

• Do not pass bicyclists on two-lane highways with double-yellow lines - wait for them to pull over or until you reach a passing lane.

• It is usually considered rude to honk at cyclists unless absolutely necessary.

<I>Source: Sierra Express Bicycle Club President Darwin Leek</I>

<I>To contact staff writer Brittany Retherford, e-mail brittanyr@theunion.com or call 477-4247.</I>