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Pump Pedals Instead Of Gas

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: March 4, 2009

TAMPA - March is Florida's Bike Month, which means it's time for the third annual Tampa BayCycle.

Interest slowly is growing in the initiative, which encourages people to consider using bicycles as a regular mode of transportation. Efforts to provide infrastructure useful to bicycle commuting, such as more bike racks and bike lids (plastic enclosures to keep bicycles secure and dry), are helping, Tampa BayCycle backers said.

"Part of the Tampa BayCycle campaign is to make it safer for people to cycle, as well as more practical," said Karen Kress, campaign chairwoman and director of transportation and planning for the Tampa Downtown Partnership, which cofounded the campaign in 2007 with the New North Transportation Alliance.

During March, Kress said, bicycle enthusiasts are encouraging commuters to cycle to work. Tampa Metro YMCA is offering free use of its showers at Downtown YMCA Ft. Brooke (104 S. Franklin St.) and YMCA 100 North (100 N. Tampa St.); commuter groups are forming so riders can pedal together from neighborhoods such as Seminole Heights to downtown Tampa on Bike to Work Day on March 20.

Those who sign up online to be Tampa BayCycle Ambassadors, formerly the Elite 100, can receive bike gear rewards such as wireless cyclometers, saddle bags and lights. Ambassadors pledge to encourage at least five other friends or co-workers to bike to work at least once during the month. Commuters may track their miles online at www.TampaBay Cycle.com, winning prizes at the end of the month.
Jack Sweeney rides from his Seminole Heights home to the downtown John F. Germany Library where he works as a reference librarian. He has commuted on his bicycle for 16 years, a habit he took up while a student at Spring Hill College in Alabama. College rules prohibited students from having cars on campus.

"So I used a bike and stuck with it," said Sweeney, 40. "It was a good fit."

Sweeney owns a car with his wife, Leah, but they use it sparingly and might fill the fuel tank once a month. Leah Sweeney bikes to Tampa General Hospital, where she is a registered nurse.

"I get to explore the city. We notice things more and say hi to people," Jack Sweeney said. "We've developed casual friendships with people we meet along the way. It helps us feel more plugged into the community."

Tampa BayCycle events included a March 1 kickoff event in Clearwater as well as bike trains and flat-tire changing classes. The first Tampa Twilight Criterium and Festival will be held March 21 in downtown Tampa and is expected to draw about 600 racers and 2,000 spectators.

The criterium is a short, less than one-mile course with lots of laps, intensity and speed, said Kress. The all-day festival culminates with a race for expert cyclists at 6:30 p.m.

"We're really trying to make it fun and educational," Kress said. "Our roads have a bad reputation for cycling, but I think people would be pleasantly surprised if they got out and tried it."

BIKING THE BAY

URBAN STREET SKILLS: Held at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, this free lunch-and-learn session will touch on basic bike safety such as route planning and what to wear. Held from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday. Registration is mandatory by calling (813) 221-3686.

BIKE TRAINS: Students and their families will ride to school in bike trains Monday at Hunter's Green Elementary, on Friday and March 27 at Lewis Elementary and on March 13 and 20 at Chiles Elementary.

FLAT-TIRE CHANGING CLASSES: Every Saturday in March at the Bike Room, 2808 Fourth St. N. in St. Petersburg. Participants are asked to bring their bicycle. Classes are limited to four participants. Call (727) 893-7421 to register.

TAMPA TWILIGHT CRITERIUM AND FESTIVAL: March 21 in downtown Tampa. Family-friendly wellness festival with amateur and expert circuit cycling races, bicycle parade and safety rodeo. Go to www.tampacrit.com for schedule and race registration.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

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