Annual rally encourages commuters to get out of their cars

By SHANTEE WOODARDS, Capital Newspaper, Staff Writer

Published 05/22/10

Jane Shey was so impressed with her commuting options in Belgium, that she sold her car when she returned to Admiral Heights in Annapolis. She continues to spend part of the year in Europe, as she pursues her doctorate degree in environmental policy. Abroad, the streets are filled with bicycle commuters - from women with children in baskets to men in business suits with their briefcases dangling from the side, she said. Not so here, so Shey is looking to form a social group of like-minded commuters.

Shey was among the bikers who converged on City Dock on Friday morning to promote biking as a viable form of transportation.

"During rush hour (in Belgium), there are more bikes out," Shey said. "I just like how everybody gets around."

Annapolis was among the nine locations around the state to hold Bike to Work Day, where commuters were greeted with bagels, bananas, orange juice and other breakfast treats.

It was the seventh year that the event was held in the city. Similar events were held in Harford, Frederick, Montgomery, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties, as well as BaltimoreCity.

The Annapolis Regional Transportation Management Association, or ARTMA, coordinated the local event, which featured prizes and other giveaways.

At the end of the event, City Mayor Josh Cohen led a procession of bikers up Main Street

. This year, 250 people preregistered for the event and there were about 20 walk-ins.

"Biking is not a fad, it's not something that's going to go away," ARTMA Executive Director Heather McColl, told the crowd. "You guys are here to stay, and we appreciate it."

City officials said efforts are ongoing to meet bicyclists' needs. In October, they installed "sharrows"- or pavement markers that reminds motorists to share the road with bicyclists - to several city streets.

A new bicycle map has also been added to the city's website to help biking commuters navigate the city, and a bicycle master plan is being created this summer

The city Department of Transportation yesterday also held a "Bike Rodeo" at WestAnnapolisElementary School yesterday. The event was a bicycle safety clinic that featured bike safety inspections and lectures about riding safely, said Iain Banks, the city's transportation and parking specialist.

Among those participating in yesterday's event were coworkers Jill Jones and Shirley Tolley of Laurel, who said they were convinced to make biking part of their routine by a 2006 fundraiser.

A coworker's mother was diagnosed with diabetes and encouraged others to train for the Race for the Cure event, which requires bike riding.

They participated in that event, and even though they don't ride their bikes to work, riding is a regular form of exercise for them. They get together a few times a week to ride around the loop at the BWI Thurgood MarshallAirport.

Jones understands that bike riding isn't for everyone, and that some prefer bike trails to being on the road.

"You've just got to try it," said Jones, of Linthicum. "Do it and see if you like it. (But) you've got to do it."

Pasadena resident Bernard Miles also rides his bike as often as he can, even now that he has retired. He rides whenever he can during the day and usually gets in about 34 miles round trip. He practices safe habits when approaching cars, though.

"You have to be careful," said Miles, an avid rider since 1993. "I always say to myself that a car is going to win, no matter what. You just have to stay out of the way."