The Council of San Benito County Governments will declare May
11-17 as Bike Week and is launching a media campaign to encourage
county residents to participate in healthy competition with the
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Commuter Challenge.
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The Council of San Benito County Governments will declare May 11-17 as Bike Week and is launching a media campaign to encourage county residents to participate in healthy competition with the “Commuter Challenge.”
The challenge will be scored by the highest percentage of employers among participating businesses. The winners will receive a plaque and will be treated to a free pizza lunch.
“We’re talking to a lot of people to get them enthused about using their bicycles and participating in the event,” said Transportation Planner Dennis Aldridge.
From 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., during Bike Week, cyclists will get a free commuter’s breakfast at four locations in Hollister and San Juan Bautista – next to the Briggs Building at San Benito and Fourth streets, at San Benito County Health and Human Services on San Felipe Road, the Windmill Market Plaza in San Juan Bautista and at the county facilities on Southside Road.
“Because we had about 40 people more in the downtown location for the breakfast the previous year, we bumped up the time a half-hour earlier for the morning commuters ” Aldridge said.
Events and special promotions during the week include Bike to Church Day, Kids Bike Rodeo and Off the Chain Bike Rides. Various local businesses will also give discounts to bicyclists who shop at their establishments. Give-aways include, water bottles, T-shirts and other Rideshare promotional items.
Aldridge said San Benito County’s flat terrain in most residential and shopping areas makes it an ideal place to ride a bicycle. County programs Bike Share and Rideshare are alternatives to driving, which helps reduce traffic congestion, driving stress and pollution from vehicle emissions, he said.
