1. Learn Stuff – Safe Routes to School

This morning as I pedaled to work, I passed all kinds of great things. I saw a few of my neighbors out walking their dogs in the crisp autumn air, and I also got to say hi to the neighborhood crossing guard and watch kids walking, biking and scootering toward their elementary school in the neighborhood. Each day during the school year, I watch kids walking by themselves or with their friends or parents as they prepare to start their school day. As the Wisconsin Safe Routes to School Coordinator, this is the perfect way for me to start my day.

The school I pass on my way to work boasts that approximately 80% of the children walk or bike at least occasionally. Unfortunately, this is not typical and across the country the numbers just aren’t as good. The percentage of children that walk or bike to school has fallen from 42% in 1969 to just 16% in 2001. Sadly, this decline points out that children today are missing out on opportunities for physical activity, for independence, for time outdoors socializing with parents and friends. Rather than exploring their surroundings and getting into harmless trouble, today’s children are being driven to school at historically high rates.

Five years ago, concern about the long-term health of children, and the environmental and traffic consequences of this trend propelled Congress to create a federal Safe Routes to School program. This program provided funding to each state to create programs that get more children walking and biking to school while at the same time reduce car congestion around schools and the subsequent pollution caused by auto emissions.

In Wisconsin, communities and schools jumped at the opportunity to get children walking and biking to school and are now reaping the many positive benefits of this simple activity. Studies have shown that physical activity throughout the day can help control weight, reduce the risk of diabetes and improve academic performance. Essentially, the SRTS program adds two recess periods to students’ days. Who doesn’t love more recess?

Safe Routes to School programs exist throughout the United States in large urban areas as well as in small rural communities. Most communities start by developing a SRTS plan that gauges parent concerns and attitudes about walking and biking, studies the current walking and biking facilities and comes up with a list of recommendations to get more children active.

In recent years, several Wisconsin SRTS programs have taken off. One middle school has a fleet of over 35 bicycles that are maintained by student mechanics and are used during PE classes, noon recess, and special field trips. Another rural community faced with a lack of bike and pedestrian facilities has utilized a remote drop off where students are able to walk a half mile to school. A third SRTS program in a large urban area offers an innovative program which teaches a bicycle “driver’s ed” safety class to 4th-6th graders and a walking course to K-3rd graders. Schools have shown up to a 15% increase in bicycling after participating in the program.

No matter how big or small or urban or rural, schools and communities are finding a way to get their children more active on the way to and from school. Whether it be bicycling in physical education class, walking school buses, or walk to school days with remote drop-offs, schools around the country are embracing the importance of getting youth moving. For more info on SRTS in your area, you can visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School website.

Renee Callaway is a self-proclaimed “bike junkie.” She is a founding member and president of Madison’s Female Off Road Cyclist club. In addition, she is race organizer for stop one of the U.S. Grand Prix of Cyclocross series and promotes Wisconsin cyclocross through her MadCross website. How she juggles it all on top of her day job as the Wisconsin Safe Routes to School Coordinator is anyone’s guess.

2. Accessory Handbook – Shoe Covers

“More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name: ‘Now Dasher!...On, Comet!.. and Blitzen!’ Even Santa will tell you that it’s important to keep your feet warm and dry when you’re out in the chilly air. Our new line of cool weather cycling shoe covers will keep cyclists’ feet toasty even when the mercury drops. After all, why should you hang up your bike when the snow flies? “Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”


Blitzen Shoe Covers

• Windproof fabric with microfleece lining
• Neoprene front panel for added warmth around the toe box
• Durable bottom with open design for a variety of pedal platforms and cleats
• Full Velcro back closure for greater adjustability and sizing
• Toe box retention strap keeps front of cover in place
• Reflective side logos

Comet Shoe Covers

• Full neoprene shoe covers
• Durable bottom with open design for a variety of pedal platforms and cleats
• Toe box retention strap keeps front of cover in place
• Full Velcro back closure for greater adjustability and sizing
• Reflective side logos

Dasher Shoe Covers

• Windproof fabric with microfleece lining
• Bottom features cut-guides for SPD or road cleat leaving maximum material coverage for specific cleat design used
• Elastic heal strap and elastic edging keeps a snug fit
• Reflective side and back logos

3. Advocacy – A Revolution on Campus

“I hereby pledge to do my part to ease traffic congestion, limit fuel
consumption and reduce pollution by not keeping a car or other
motorized vehicle at Ripon College during the entirety of my first
year..”

In 2007, Ripon College had a problem. Located 80 miles northwest of Milwaukee, the private, liberal arts college was overrun with cars. Despite being a compact campus that could easily be traversed in 15 minutes on foot or just a few minutes on bike, faculty and students had gotten in the habit of using their cars to get from dorm rooms and offices to classes, the cafeteria, and the gym. Demand for parking outstripped supply, and the car congestion was degrading the quality of the campus community and proving to be unsustainable.

Instead of covering more of their beautiful campus with pavement, College President David Joyce led the charge to do the opposite. Thus was born the Velorution Project.

To lay the foundation for the project, the college removed two streets that penetrated deep into the campus and created a bike- and pedestrian-friendly campus mall. Then they pushed most of the campus automobile parking from the center of campus to the periphery.

To win over the student body, all incoming freshmen have the opportunity to pledge not to bring a car to campus for their first year in exchange for a free bicycle and all the essential accessories to turn them into four-season commuters.

Now entering its third year, the Velorution has been a roaring success, and Planet Bike has been the proud supplier of locks and lights since the project’s inaugural year. The students love using their bikes as a primary means of transportation and they feel they are doing their part to make their community healthier and more sustainable.

The icing on the cake is that the program’s annual cost is roughly the cost of three parking spaces. Ripon’s alternative model proves that communities can pedal forward in a new direction. Now that’s truly velorutionary!

4. Supercommuter – Ross Hirsch

A supercommuter rides through every season, in all types of weather, day and night. Choosing the simplicity, health and pleasure of bicycling, a supercommuter simply prefers to ride a bike to the grocery store, to work, to a concert or the café.

Safety is a big concern for the everyday commuter. Bicycle advocates across the country spend countless hours fighting for legislation and city planning, among many other things, that will improve the safety of riding bicycles. One such advocate is 40 year old Los Angeles attorney Ross Hirsch.

Bicycles have been a staple in Ross’ life since a young age. As a preteen, Ross and his friends would bike to school, to each others’ houses and on their paper routes. They explored the inner and outer confines of their neighborhoods. As Ross puts it, they “took advantage of the freedom that two wheels can give on those lazy afternoons after school. The love and respect I have for bikes and my personal view of the bike as a wonderful mode of transportation (among so many other things) clearly has its roots in my childhood.”

Ross is a daily commuter during his work week at Castellón & Funderburk LLP. He rides the 13 miles year round. Los Angeles doesn’t have the most extreme weather changes, but Ross combats the summer heat by riding a “bit slower to avoid being overheated and drenched by the time he gets to the office.” His chilly winter rides are no match for a couple of layers of wool and fenders take the bite out of the occasional rain storms.

Ross has always avoided driving. He says, “the environmental, economic, and health costs never made sense to me.” Shortly after landing his first job as an attorney, Ross started looking into how he could commute to a suit and tie job. The answer was packing up a couple of panniers and pedaling to work! Ross has the program dialed in now. “Now, I’ve got a few weeks-worth of office clothes hanging on the back of my office door, a few pairs of shoes, and a desk drawer-full of undergarments that I change into after I get in.”

According to Ross, the toughest part about commuting by bike is getting into the routine. He says it takes a little planning to find a good route, an appropriate bike, a way to transport your clothing, and storage for your bike and gear. Once you have that set, it isn’t difficult at all.

While Ross has been a life-long cyclist, it was only a few years back that he discovered the world of bicycle advocacy. He wanted “safer roads and smoother roads, cars to pass him at a safe distance, and his kids to be able to bike safely to and from school—and everywhere, as they grow up.” He regularly represents and advises cyclists on what to do after a crash or a bike-related citation. He testifies at LA City Council meetings when key bike issues/bike legislation are on the agenda, and volunteers for the LA County Bike Coalition (http://la-bike.org/), working on a number of its committees. Ross started FAB (Families and Bikes) with a few other “biking dads” to show families that they can ride together and have a great time.

It’s always refreshing to see someone so passionate about cycling and passionate about getting others on bikes. Ross is a prime example of that someone.

If you would like to nominate a Super Commuter, please contact us at info@planetbike.com.

©2010 Planet Bike.