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    Bike to Work Week Kicks Off This Morning

    Somebody forgot to tell the Dual Doppler Weather “Gods” that it is Bike to Work Month in Columbus (and all across the country). This morning, with a damp mist and temperatures hovering around 50 degrees, Mayor Coleman, Councilman Zach Klein and Congressman Steve Stivers lead a group of overĀ  sixty CEOs, community leaders and daily bike commuters on a ride from Franklin Park Conservatory to the steps of City Hall.

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    Consider Biking Director Jeff Stephens and board president Doug Morgan promoted the 2 by 2012 Campaign.

    “Our goals are realistic,” said Stephens. “If everyone bikes to work only two days a month our community can achieve a 10% mode shift that will save millions of gallons of fuel, greatly reduce pollution and provide hours of healthy exercise.”

    Stephens thanked the Columbus Foundation for funding RideNet and encouraged folks to fill out personal profiles and track their mileage while connecting with fellow riders

    The growth of our biking community continues to have a positive impact on local business. At this morning’s event, the Small Business Beanstalk released its news SBBikescard.

    “SBBbikes, in partnership with Consider Biking is now available by joining RideNet,” said SBB founder Timothy Wolf Starr. “Our members can now better target specific groups by offering niche discounts.”

    CafƩ Brioso owner Jeff Davis has seen a growth in his business due to an increase in bike commuters.

    “Originally we just saw the bike messengers, but now most of the downtown bike commuters will have their first cup of coffee with us,” said Davis. “Rarely a morning goes by when I don’t see a new face at our counter with a bike helmet in tow.”

    Several groups in Columbus are hosting activities to celebrate National Biking Month. YayBikes is promoting a month long Bike to Work Challenge. Currently they have 153 teams and nearly 1400 cyclist participating, with new riders signing up daily. Yay Bikes and Wild Goose Creative are hosting “The Past and Future of Bicycle Propaganda” this Thursday, May 19th, which will feature entries from their recent PinchFlat Bike Poster contest. This Saturday, May 21st, CBUScyclechic.com will be hosting the first annual PBR Ride in partnership with the Betty’s Family Restaurants, SBBbikes, and KOBO Live. The ride will highlight the $1 “two wheeler” PBR deals available at all of the Betty’s Family of Restaurant locations.

    It’s an exciting time to be on two wheels in Columbus. Last Saturday, thousands of cyclists were celebrating the 50th Anniversary of TOSRV, while nearly 500 other people participated in the “North Market to Hills Market” ride. We have begun the evolution of a revolution that will grow far beyond National Bike Month.

    It’s an exciting time, but no matter how many miles of bike paths, new bike racks and bike lanes we add to the landscape of our city there is one major ingredient for the “recipe for success”. And that ingredient is respect. Bikes riders need to respect drivers and drivers need to respect bike riders. Every citizen, working together can make Columbus a World Class Biking Community.

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