Prepare for Bike to Work Week with seminar on confident commuting

According to the League of American Bicyclists, Wisconsin is one of the most bike-friendly states in the nation. With summer on the horizon, May is a great time to try out bicycle commuting or just tune up your wheels.

The Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery and UWell, the university’s new wellness initiative, will co-host a free seminar to kick off Bike to Work Week on Monday, May 14, at noon in the Forum of the Discovery Building. Bike to Work Week runs through Friday, May 18.

Amanda White, associate director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, will present “Bicycling Made Easy,” on bike safety, convenience, and tips and tricks to maximize enjoyment and safety for all road users across the campus community. The seminar is geared toward cyclists of all ages and experience levels.

“We’ve asked the Bicycle Federation to focus on bike commuting as a way of attracting both current bike commuters and those interested in biking who might have reservations about safety,” says Krista Eastman, co-chair of the Discovery Building’s (WID-MIR) Wellness Committee. “As we promote Bike to Work Week, we’re excited to get the word out to the broader campus community.”

Bike to Work Week often falls during final exams, so Transportation Services staff tend to focus on campus bicycling efforts in the weeks leading up to the fall semester. However, Chuck Strawser, pedestrian and bicycle coordinator with Transportation Services’ Commuter Solutions, will staff an information table in partnership with UW Health during the week before Bike to Work Week. The tables, open from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., will be located in the Clinical Sciences Center (by the elevators near the cafeteria) on Tuesday, May 8; at UW Health’s Administrative Office Building in Middleton on Wednesday, May 9; and in the Park Street pedestrian connection between Meriter and 1 S. Park on Thursday, May 10.

During Wisconsin Bike to Work Week, many communities across the state have scheduled events to tempt people to ride bikes for transportation and to reward those who already do.

“Bicycling is an excellent mode of transportation for Wisconsinites, and more people choose to go by bike in Wisconsin every day,” says Kevin Hardman, executive director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. “Since 1990, bicycling to work has increased by 62% across the state. We anticipate record-breaking participation in our May 2012 bicycling events.”

Other Bike to Work Week events in the Madison area include a bicycle breakfast benefiting DreamBikes; a neighborhood ride and safety class; Bacon on the Bike Path; and a party.  More information is available at http://bfw.org/2012/04/04/madison-bike-to-work-week-events/.