By Tom Rohrer
Enjoying the Thurston County scenery on a bicycle ride is a popular recreational activity for people of all ages in the area.
For some however, the centuries old transportation system is the method of choice for commuting and traveling purposes.
One of those transporting himself using two wheels is Scott Horvath, an optometrist at Group Health’s Olympia Medical Center.
Since 1998, Horvath has been regularly commuting by bike from his home on Steamboat Island to Lilly Road, a routine Horvath is quite pleased he initiated.
“When I get to work, I feel fresh, energetic and overall very good,” Horvath said. “By the end of the day, I’ve blown the steam off from work through the exercise and I’m relaxed. Things like saving gas money and positively helping the environment, those are just icing on the cake.”
Horvath enjoys the fact that he doesn’t have to spend more time away from his family by working out before or after his work day.
“What I like about it is if you have a family, it takes so much time to go to the gym in your car and go workout,” Horvath said. “But if you ride your bike, chances are your leaving work before the kids are up, so it doesn’t take away from family time. Since you’re getting the workout in already, you don’t feel the need to leave the family after work, and it encourages them to be healthy as well.”
For the last 25 years, the Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest has encouraged locals to utilize bicycling on a day to day basis.
The contest, which has been coordinated by Intercity Transit since 2006, drew 1,545 participants in 2012, which combined tallied around 14,000 trips and more than 120,000 miles combined.
Running through the month of May, contest riders (as individuals or in teams) record their data and report it to Intercity Transit. This year’s figures revealed that each participant put an average of 114 miles on their bicycle over the course of the month, making 2012 a record breaking year for the contest.
Their travel-log data reveals that participants made nearly 14,000 trips and traveled more than 120,000 miles (cumulatively) by bicycle and, on average, rode 114 miles each during the month of May, also record breaking stats.
“The purpose of (the contest) is to provide education and incentives to ride bicyles for practical purposes, not just for work, but errands, going to the store, etc.,” said Kris Fransen, the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Intercity Transit. “We award prizes, like most miles or most days, for all different ages. There are team prizes, and prizes are provided by sponsors from all over the community,”
While the month of May focuses on bicycle use in the community, Intercity Transit provides support for cyclists all year round.
“Riding the bus with a bicycle is great for a number of reasons,” said Fransen. “It’s perfect for people who want to get to a bus stop but are far away. If someone is tired from riding, the bus can help them get up a hill. If they take their bike out in the morning and the weather changes quickly, the bus is there. We have bike racks on all buses except the Dash bus. Bikes ride free, there is no extra charge. It’s a perfect system for the community.”
The numbers from the Intercity Transit contest suggest an increased amount of bicycle riding in the community, something Horvath, who participates in the May event, has noticed as well.
“I’ve started noticing more bike helmets at the office or around town, “ Horvath said. “You feel a sense of camaraderie with those individuals and it’s cool to be a part of that community.”
Horvath notes there are a number of reasons people talk themselves out of bike commuting, and that those obstacles are easily solved.
“I think some people fear that it’s dangerous,” Horvath said. “But if you plan your route, have the right equipment and lighting, its quite safe. People don’t understand how to get clothes to work and home and really, they just need to plan and get started. Initially, I planned to (commute by bicycle) but I kept putting it off. But when I started doing it I realized how great it was.”
For more information on Intercity Transit and the Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest, visit www.intercitytransit.com. Thanks to Duncan Green for the photos.
