It’s Bike to Work Week and according to Laurie Eggers from Anoka County Transportation, this has become a growing event.
“Anoka County has been doing it for several years,” Eggers said. “We have great participation. We have over 200 people again doing this with probably over 20 companies participating.”
Biking to work reduces someone’s carbon footprint and is good for the budget.
“You’re saving on gas,” Eggers said. ” We’re trying to encourage people not to drive alone, so bike to work week is a good way to just get people to try it. Some people have never done this before.”
Biking to the job really makes sense for those who are close to where they work.
“We have found that most trips are under three miles so it’s very bikeable,” Eggers said.
Stress-free commute
Susan Anderson occasionally bikes from home in Andover to her job with Anoka County Transportation.
Said Anderson: “I like being out in the fresh air.”
For Anderson it’s a stress-free commute to and from work.
“It gives me exercise, I save on gas,” Anderson said. “I get to be out – especially on the way home in nature. I get to see deer, the flowers, bunnies, squirrels. Just being out. It relaxes you before you get home.”
By bike or car, Anderson’s time to the job is basically the same.
“On my way in I can take the trail on Hanson and it actually takes me about the same amount of time as driving,” Anderson said.
Taking a spin through neighborhood blocks – or riding down a major thoroughfare is something Anderson truly embraces.
“I really enjoy our bike to work week,” Anderson said. “It’s great because we actually have a little snack when we get here. It’s camaraderie. We’ll go out during our lunch hour and bike a little bit around the Bunker Hills Park which I really enjoy doing.”
Meanwhile, Eggers highly endorses getting to work on two wheels instead of four.
“People report that they just are in a better mood when they bike,” Eggers said. “Some people think it’s really a big deal. Once you bike in, you’re like that really that wasn’t a big deal I can do this again. It’s fun. We encourage people to try it.”
Bike to Work Week was started 70 years ago by the League of American Bicyclists.
