May 11, 2007

Biking to Work

Try it. You just might like it.

DAVENPORT, IOWA - Only a drenching downpour or an icy or snowy unplowed road will prevent Jennifer Berling from riding her bike to work at the Genesis Heart Institute. For her, there are few excuses.

Helmet hair? She doesn’t worry about it.

Sultry, sweat-inducing weather? She can always towel off and change into fresh clothes at work.

Frigid temperatures? In the face of whipping winds, she’s been known to wrap a scarf around her head like a mummy with only her eyes peeking out.

Light rain or drizzle? She owns a raincoat.

Instead of excuses, she’ll talk about saving her health, saving the environment and saving gas money in times when gas is at $3-per-gallon. She’ll mention the fitness benefits and the invigorating effects of the morning’s fresh air.

Most important, the exercise physiologist will reveal that she can’t ask patients undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation at Genesis to incorporate exercise into their lifestyle without showing that she does too.

“My patients will ask, ‘Did you ride your bike to work today?’” Berling says. “They like that I bike to the Heart Institute because it shows them I exercise too. They like to see that I practice what I preach.

“I live less than a mile from work, and I figure it’s actually quicker for me to bike than take my car. I would feel guilty if I drove to work because there's really no reason for me to drive. Even if it’s a downpour, I will walk to work instead.”

Bike to Work Week

She is one of numerous bicyclists promoting Bike to Work Week on May 14-18. The week encourages people to try bike commuting; increases cycling awareness; and, promotes a healthy alternative mode of transportation.

Earlier this month, the Quad Cities Bike Club unveiled their new Quad Cities Metro Area Bicycle Map, now available at local bike shops and the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The map, designed for bike riders, shows the safest routes to get around the Quad Cities on a bike. Researched by local cycling enthusiasts, the map’s thick black lines indicate safer, less busy streets to get riders anywhere they want to go in Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline and Rock Island. Dottedline routes offer more difficult to navigate shortcuts for more experienced cyclists.

Dean Mayne, a physical therapist and Quad Cities Bike Club president, has been riding his bike to Genesis for the past seven years – just as soon as his daughter started school and didn’t need to be transported to daycare.

“I did a lot of biking when I lived in Japan, where people ride their bikes to catch the trains,” he says. “There are fitness and economical benefits to biking to work, but my biggest reason is to create less of a carbon footprint. To combat global warming, just biking to work once a week can reduce your carbon footprint by 15-20 percent.”

As a physical therapist who deals with patients working to regain their physical skills after injury or illness, it’s very important to “walk the talk,” Mayne says. “We have to present a healthy image.”

Mayne, who gave a presentation to Genesis staff as part of the Genesis WellPower employee wellness program, says a safe communting distance is between 1-5 miles. “After that, it becomes a little less realistic,” he says. “I bike about 5 miles to work.”

Combining exercise and commuting can actually save time. A Transportation Alternatives study shows that commutes under 3 miles are often faster by bike. Urban trips of 5-7 miles usually take about the same time.

Employers benefit, too, when their employees bike to work. “They have healthier, happier employees and don’t have to provide as much parking,” Mayne says.

He encourages people to go to www.bikeIowa.com for a complete commuter’s guide that offers information ranging from safe commuting tips to state biking laws. Biking to work can also enhance mental well-being.

“Biking to work puts you in a good mood. It wakes you up and refreshes you for the day,” Mayne says.

“It’s nice to get fresh air in the morning before you go to work for the day,” Berling adds. “And after work, it helps you to wind down and get some fresh air after you’ve been inside all day. Getting into a car is not the same.”

Why Ride?

• Improved health and fitness: Biking is a low-stress, low-impact exercise that can be performed by people of all ages and fitness levels. In the time we already spend getting to work, we can get the exercise we need, but "don't have time for."
• Saving money: The only fuel you need is food. Cut your insurance costs by driving fewer miles in your car too.
• Easier and less-expensive parking: With the proper locking device, you can park your bike safely much easier; you can park your bike closer to your destination and for free.
• Environmentally-friendly: The bicycle is the most energy-efficient form of travel ever devised, so you’ll be reducing energy use and dependence on fossil fuels. Biking reduces traffic congestion.

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