Bike Wichita

Bike to Work | May 15

neal — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:16:12 +0000

Studies show that although more than half of the U.S. Population lives within five miles of their workplace, lack of knowledge and incentive has deterred many from commuting by bike. The League of American Bicyclist has designated Friday May 15 national Bike to Work day. Start-Thinking is encouraging individuals in the Wichita community to Bike to Work. Bike to Work is annual event that is part of Bike Month.

Start-Thinking believes participation in Bike to Work day has multiple effects locally. The event is in-line with a green initiative that Start-Thinking believes to be important concept in daily life. Bike-to-Work also encourages a healthy lifestyle.

The 2005 census labeled Wichita as one of the 10 worst cities for commuting by bicycle. Encouragement and participation in Bike to Work day could help to lift that stigma. It will also help to educate both commuters on bike and in cars, on the benefits and safety required to change the Wichita community.

Bike Wichita is the source for Bike to Work day locally or more information and discussion join the Bike Wichita facebook group.

Topeka’s Community Cycle Project

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:43:21 +0000

Kansas.com January 23, 2010

Bike Racks on City Buses

john — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:40:32 +0000

Word has it that Wichita’s Transit Services is adding bike racks to city buses this year. A good spend of stimulus money, I think. This will effectively extend the public transportation network quite a bit. It’s not reasonable that we have too many more bus routes in a city with our commuting habits but the racks will help bring the bus closer to home and work.

The City is eeking its way into the modern era with bike racks on buses, bike lanes, and really, some decent bike paths.

Want more of this? Let the City know.

Mt. Vernon Bike Lanes

john — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:35:50 +0000

They’re not long enough for a whole ride but the bike lanes on Mt. Vernon make for a very nice part of a ride.

The new lanes on both eastbound and westbound Mt. Vernon are a welcome addition to Wichita’s neighborhood streets. They run from Broadway west to the river, are very well marked and signed and the new pavement is smooooth.

Give them a try and let the City know what you think.

Friday Night Ride- City Lights

GFV — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:24:56 +0000

Friday, May 15, is bike to work day.

Besides riding to work, I will host another City Lights Ride from
Exploration Place at 8:00pm. We will cruise around Riverside Park, Bike paths along the river and perhaps Olde Towne. We will stop at points of interest along the way like Keeper of the Plains, Hyatt Fountain, McLean Fountain, Lighted columns at Central & Amidon, etc.

This is a sight seeing cruise that is a conversational pace and a great social event of cycling in Wichita. You will of course, need lights and our bike.

Friday, May 15, 2009 8:00pm
Exploration Place parking lot

Bike To Work Friday

john — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:32:58 +0000

This Friday, the 15th is National Bike to Work Day. Join us in Wichita by riding your bike to work and meeting up at the Old Town Square (by the Warren) at lunch time. Chipotle will be there with free food and at good time. Check out our Facebook page (click here) for more info and discussions about riding to work. There may be a neighbor of yours riding the same direction.

Worried about the weather? It looks like the weather will be good in the morning and lunch and likely good when it’s time to go home. Plan ahead in case storms or rain are threatening by asking for a ride home from a friend or a family member. Leave the bike at work and ride it home Monday.

Promote Your Store or Business

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:46:44 +0000

Here are a few ideas on how to use Bike To Work Day as a promotional tool for your business.

Non-Bike Related Businesses:

Use this day or even the week to promote healthy lifestyles and fun exercise. Work with your HR department to organize and promote Bike To Work day.
Anyone who rides to work gets to wear casual clothes.
Anyone who rides to work gets to leave 30 minutes early if they ride home.
Get a story about your business in the Wichita Eagle or the Business Journal. “What a great place to work!”
Add a promotion for the day in your regular advertising with a simple tagline or message.
Customize the flyer and poster and make them your own (please post your versions back to this web site).

Bike-Related Businesses:

Promote a ride to work starting at your business.
Add promotion for the day in your regular advertising
Advertise a discount for the week prior to the 15th to increase awareness of Bike To Work Day and increase service and sales traffic.
Customize the flyer and poster and make them your own (please post your versions back to this web site).

If you have more ideas, please share them with others. Post them here.

Promotion by Bike Clubs

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:37:21 +0000

Promoting Wichita’s Bike To Work Day can be a great way to increase awareness of your bike club. Here are a few ways you could get your current members engaged and get others in gear as well:

Promote Bike To Work Day by emailing all your contacts and calling your members and friends.
Organize a Bike Together To Work Day on Friday May 15. Wichita isn’t a very big city so organize a couple rides from popular residential areas to popular work areas. Riders can find their way to the start and leave the group when they get close to work.
Organize a Bike Home Together ride on Friday May 15. Riding to work may get some resistance from some but riding home on a nice May day would be a great way to finish the day. Setup a ride from downtown or from popular work areas.
Organize a ride the weekend of May 9-10 and raise the awareness of May 15.

Work with bike stores and employers to promote your activities.

Do you have other ideas? If so, please share them here.

I want to help promote Bike to Work day- Business

neal — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:17:47 +0000

So you are a local business that would like to help promote Bike to Work day, Welcome aboard! Thank you, there is no way Bike to Work day will be as successful as it can be without your support.

Your business can help by:

Help organize a lunch time or after work ride from your business.
Be sure to post your ride on bikewichita.com
Use veloroutes.org to plot and share your route.

Help organize a meeting place and time for riders to ride together to work.
Be sure to post your meeting bikewichita.com

Post flyers promoting Bike to Work day and additional events.
Be sure to include your logo along the bottom of the flyer.

Other things you can do to help:
Create your own event.
Share information about bicycle safety.
Add the phrasing “Don’t forget the Bike to Work Friday, May 15″ and/ bikewichita.com to advertisements.

Overcoming Bike Commuting Excuses

neal — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:53:51 +0000

1. I’m out of shape
Ride at an easy pace; in a few months you will be in great shape.
Ride your route on a weekend to find the easiest way to work.
You will improve your fitness level when you become a regular bike commuter.

2. It takes too long
The average commuter travels at 10 mph; the more you ride, the faster you will become.
Trips of less than three miles will be quicker by bike.
Trips of five to seven miles in urban areas may take the same time or less as by car.

3. It’s too far
Try riding to work and taking mass transit home, then alternating the next day.
Combine riding and mass transit to shorten your commute.
Ride to a coworker’s house and carpool to work.

4. No bike parking
Look around for a storage area in your building or office.
Stash your bike in a covered, secure place such as a closet or even your office.
Formally request that your employer provide bike parking or lock it up outside.

5. My bike is beat up
Tell a reputable bike shop that you are commuting and have them tune up your bike.
If you can’t maintain your bike yourself, identify bike shops near your route.
Make sure that your bike is reliable and in good working order before you ride.

6. No showers
Most commuters don’t shower at work; ride at an easy pace to stay cool and dry.
Ride home at a fast pace if you want a workout; shower when you get there.
Health clubs offer showers; get a discounted membership for showers only.

7. I have to dress up
Keep multiple sets of clothing at work; rotate them on days you drive.
Have work clothes cleaned at nearby laundromats or dry cleaners.
Pack clothes with you and change at work; try rolling clothes instead of folding.

8. It’s raining
Fenders for your bike and raingear for your body will keep you dry.
If you are at work, take transit or carpool to get home; ride home the next day.
Take transit or drive if you don’t have the gear to ride comfortably in the rain.

9. The roads aren’t safe
Obey traffic signs, ride on the right, signal turns, and stop at lights.
Wear bright clothing.
You are at no greater risk than driving a car.
Wear a helmet every time you ride.

10. I have to run errands
Bolt a rack to the back of your bike to add carrying capacity.
Make sure that you have a lock to secure your bike while you are in a building.
Allow extra time to get to scheduled appointments and find parking.
Encourage your employer to provide a bicycle fleet for office use.

For more information on how to make your workplace more bicycle friendly visit www.bikeleague.org.