PICTURED: Bike HUB volunteer Maya Zubia. Photo courtesy Bike Ventura County
By Darrin Pschka and David Goldstein
There are encouraging signs that the worst is over. More businesses are reopening, and more workers are returning to work.
Now is a great moment to consider adding a bicycle to your commute if you are one of the employees who have returned to in-person employment, even if it’s only for a few days each week.
May is Bike Month. The Ventura County Transportation Commission encourages residents not to drive their cars and to use a bike instead.
Linda Quiquivix builds a bike to be used in the Healing Cyclesem exhibit at Oxnard Bike HUB. Photo courtesy Bike Ventura County
Bike Month is a time when people who pledge to bike will be entered to win one (1) $250 gift card. You can make the pledge at VCTCs website, goventura.org/pledge. Participants must be 18 years or older, and pledges must come by May 31.
Bike Month offers many opportunities. Bike to Work Week (May 16-20), and Bike To Work Day (May 20) are two opportunities to ride a bike to work.
According to the 2020 American Community Survey about 1,717 Ventura County residents commute by bicycle to work. This figure, which is approximately 0.4 percent, is comparable to other counties in Southern California, the survey shows.
You can combine a bike ride with a bus/train trip if your commute is too long for bicycling. Southern California transit operators offer bike racks and lockers at stations and stops. If the bikes do not have wet cell batteries, VCTC Intercity service will allow them to be stored in bike racks. There may be different rules so it is best to speak with the operator about bringing bikes aboard.
Swapping your vehicle for a bike can be a simple way of helping the environment by reducing congestion and air pollution. You can also save money by biking instead of driving. According to AAA, the cost of regular unleaded gasoline in Ventura County is $5.80 per gallon. This means that riding a bicycle instead of driving can help you save a few dollars.
You can bike to work and run errands if you’re not going to be returning to work.
Bike riding and outdoor activities can be beneficial for your mental and physical health. Bike Ventura County, a non-profit organization that helps people fix their bikes at Bike HUB stores in Ventura and Oxnard, has partnered with local artists to transform bikes into works of art that promote mental and physical health outreach.
Bike HUB support is most needed by people who are homeless and those with mental health issues. Chris Barton, Ventura Bike Hub Shop Manager, stated that it is empowering to bring someone to the HUB and teach them how to maintain a bike. HUBs (Helping Urban Bicyclists), charge on a sliding-scale for spare parts and lend all the tools.
Sergio Garcia, Education Lead for BikeVC is also leading education programs in schools during Bike month. He will be leading classes on bicycles during three-week-long programs at schools. After lessons on bike safety, he will take the group out for rides in neighborhoods.
Employers may want to encourage their employees to ride to work each day. Cyclemania is an event hosted by Ventura County’s Sustainability Division. It promotes cycling to county employees. Welcome Stations, which provide coffee, snacks, as well as educational resources, will be available at county facilities for four days to encourage riders. May 19th will see a presentation about commuter and health benefits for county employees. Cyclemania will be concluded May 26th when the Public Works Agency, Ventura County Transportation Commission, and the Public Works Agency present the county’s Active Transportation Plan (VCTCs Regional Bikeway Wayfinding Plan) and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. They also provide information on family-friendly bicycle routes.
VCTC makes it easy for new cyclists to find out about the best places to ride. Visit goventura.org/getting-around/bikeDiscover one of the Ventura County’s bike routes. The regional bike map highlights Class 1 routes, which are separated from cars; class 2 paths, which are shared-street painted bicycle lanes; and class 3 routes, which are designated by signs on the street.
Follow VCTC (@GoVCTC), on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Or visit www.goventura.org.
Visit BikeVC’s two HUBs for bicycles. bikeventura.org.
BikeVCs Healing CyclesBicycle art exhibit opens Sunday, May 15th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Oxnard Bike HUB 154 E. Sixth St. The Oxnard Bike Hub will continue to display the painted bicycle art exhibit until May 1531 or 2022.
Darrin Pschka, program manager, government and community relations, Ventura County Transportation Commission can be reached by calling at [email protected].
David Goldstein is the Ventura County Public Works Agency Environmental Resource Analyst. He can be reached at [email protected]or 805-658-4322.
