Bicycle enthusiasts promote bike commutes in Merced

A chilly Thursday morning didn’t deter cyclists from pedaling their way to work on Bike to Work or School Day, which is part of National Bike Month efforts in Merced.

The Merced Bicycle Coalition set up a booth in Bob Hart Square in downtown, where passing cyclists could stop for free snacks, a T-shirt and other giveaways. Lisa Kayser-Grant, a member of the coalition, said the day is an effort to get people to try commuting on a bike.

“It’s to encourage people to come out and try it at least once to discover it’s really not that hard,” she said. “And, it’s fun and it feels great.”

Four other booths were were set up around town.

Merced has almost 63 miles of bike paths and lanes, and the 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan is expected to more than double that. Cycling advocates say it’s an easy city to traverse while pedaling.

The city has plans for $3.5 million in lanes, racks, shelters and other features for cyclists. Some of those have already been installed.

Kayser-Grant, who is also part of the city’s Bicycle Advisory Commission, said promoting bikes in town is a good way to improve overall health and air quality.

One rider who stopped in at Bob Hart Square, Kelly Rose, said she commutes to work about 12 miles roundtrip. The 36-year-old said she does that about four days a week.

In the six years she’s been riding, she said, she’s lost 60 pounds. She said Merced’s triple-digit highs in the summer aren’t so bad, because of the breeze while riding. “It’s actually easier and more manageable than to sit or walk in it (the heat),” she said.

According to the American Community Survey from 2009 to 2013, about 0.4 percent of Merced County commuters are biking to work. The same amount do so in Stanislaus County.

For those who missed the bike event, another is planned this weekend.

This year will be the first appearance of the Directors Ride, a celebration of the city’s bike paths that includes public employees organized by David Gonzalves, the director of Development Services for Merced.

It is a 90-minute, eight-mile ride to feature a tour of the city’s bike paths and lanes, with a rest stop at Rahilly Park, 3400 N. Parsons Ave.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. Saturday outside the Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St. The biking begins at 10 a.m.

The ride is expected to be fairly easy with snacks and a drawing. Children are welcome to the ride, if accompanied by an adult, but training wheels are not. Bicycle helmets are required.

The coalition also schedules community bike rides twice a month.

For more information on any of the Directors Ride or any other biking event in town, go to www.mercedbicyclecoalition.org, or send an email to info@mercedbicyclecoalition.org.

This story was originally published May 7, 2015 at 3:35 PM with the headline "Bicycle enthusiasts promote bike commutes in Merced."