Los Alamos Reporter

County: Celebrate Bike To Work Day Friday, May 20

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos County Public Works Department, the Transportation Board, and Community Services Department invite the community to several events on Friday, May 20 to celebrate “Bike to Work Day.” Events scheduled for that day include:

  • 7 – 9 a.m. Energizer Station: Bike commuters are encouraged to stop by the Energizer Station at the northwest corner of Diamond and Canyon for refreshments, snacks and prizes.
  • 2 p.m. Canyon Rim Underpass Ribbon Cutting: A ribbon-cutting celebration will be held at the new Canyon Rim Trail Underpass to include a special dedication and an announcement of a community art opportunity open to the public.
  • 2:30 – 3 p.m. Community Bike Ride: After the ribbon cutting, join the community bike ride led by members of the Los Alamos Police Department bike patrol from the underpass along the Canyon Rim Trail to Ashley Pond.
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Ashley Pond Bike Activities and Rodeo: At the west side of Ashley Pond near the Justice Center, visit the bike-related events that include bicycling information, demonstration and vendor booths along with giveaways and a bike rodeo for the kids.
  • 6 p.m. Summer Concert: Then plan on sticking around to kick-off the first concert of the summer concert series with Nosotros and guest performer Raul Pacheco from Latin Grammy award winning band, Ozomatli. 

Deputy Public Works Director Eric Martinez shared that these special “Bike Day” events planned for May 20 was touch and go for a while and almost did not occur. On May 3, the Los Alamos County Council proclaimed the month of May as “Bike Month.” In celebration, Martinez says his staff earnestly began planning community activities to encourage “biking for recreation or transportation” before being interrupted by the Cerro Pelado fire. However, due to firefighters’ significant progress in containing the fire resulting in a change in the County’s status just this week to the “ready” phase, Martinez is pleased to announce that the “Bike Day” events will continue as originally planned.   

According to the League of American Bicyclists, 40 percent of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles, making bicycling a feasible and fun way to get around. The County urges everyone to bike to work or try cycling for fun, fitness, or transportation on paved multiuse trails and street systems as recreational trails are still closed due to Stage 3 fire restrictions. 

Public Works staff offer the following tips to assist community members to better enjoy biking to work:

  • Have your bike checked over by your local bike shop 
  • Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash 
  • Ride in the right-most lane that goes in the direction that you are traveling 
  • Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings 
  • Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act
  • Be always visible and predictable and wear bright clothing

Motorists are also reminded of the County’s “5 foot to Pass” ordinance pertaining to bikes. The ordinance states, “[w]hen approaching or passing any person riding on a bicycle, the operator of a motor vehicle shall proceed with caution and shall pass such bicycle rider at a reasonable speed and maintain a safe distance, no less than five feet, from the operator of the bicycle.”

Individuals with questions or comments about the May 20 events can call the Public Works Department at 505-662-8150 or send an email to lacpw@lacnm.us.