What is Bike to Work and School Week?
The Bike to Work and School Week event in Reno is designed to raise awareness of bicycle riding as a viable alternative to always driving everywhere. The idea is to encourage bicycle communting and acquaint people with the benefits of biking vs. driving. Among these are getting some exercise, reducing traffic and pollution, lowering fuel and vehicle maintenance costs, and just enjoying a more leisurely pace while getting to and from the job or school.
Bike to Work and School Week is sponsored by GetHealthyWashoe.com, area businesses, and local governments.
How to Participate in Bike to Work and School Week
The first thing to do is sign up online for Bike to Work Week. This isn't required, but you won't be eligible for any of the prizes unless the organizers know who you are and how to contact you.
There is a separate online registration for parents to register their kids for Bike to School Week. Check out Bike Safety for Kids for information to help children learn how to ride safely.
Participating businesses can sign up online as well. Organizers are looking for bike shops and coffee shops to help with Bike to Work and School Week.
Individuals and businesses wanting to participate with financial donations and raffle prizes may contact Terry McAfee at tmcafee@gmail.com.
Benefits of Biking to Work and School
GetHealthyWashoe.com lists these reasons for people to get peddling during Bike to Work and School Week (and throughout the year) and for businesses to help them do so...
- Become and stay healthy/burn calories
- Save money
- Free commuter coffee
- A chance to win $500 and other prizes
- Help the environment/decrease of carbon emission in the air
- Go Green
- Improved employee health and productivity
- Improved employee morale
- Lower health care costs
- Media exposure to the winner
- Decreased Absenteeism
Confident City Cycling Clinics
Want to try bicycle riding in the urban environment? These free clinics will help you learn the skills needed for safe riding. If you already have a bike, bring it along and gain some practical experience sharing the road with cars and making emergency repairs. To participate, RSVP to Barbara DiCianno at the City of Reno, DiCianno@reno.gov, or by calling her at (775) 334-3112.
- April 5 - 11 a.m. - Joe Crowley Student Union at UNR.
- April 21 - 6 p.m. - Mae Anne Fire Station in Reno.
- April 28 - 6 p.m. - Studio on 4th in Reno.
- May 4 - 6:30 p.m. - Reno REI store.
- May 12 - 6 p.m. - Ranch House at Rancho San Rafael Park.
Bike Shops in Reno and Sparks
Need some wheels? There are several top notch bicycle shops around the Reno area. I haven't heard anything negative about any of them, so shop around for the best deal and best bike to fit your neads.
Other Bike to Work Events in the Reno / Tahoe Area
If you live in the area but not right in the Truckee Meadows, there are other biking organizations having similar events. Here are a couple...
