PIMA COUNTY, (April 5, 2024)—Riding your bike isn’t just fun; it's good for the environment and you.
April is Bike Month in Pima County, and the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) and Pima County Health Department (PCHD) are sponsoring several bike-related events to encourage more people to take advantage of the personal and environmental benefits of cycling.
Natalie Shepp, environmental planning manager at PDEQ, said riding a bike instead of taking a car trip reduces air and climate pollution, personal fuel use, and traffic congestion and can also help a person stay fit and healthy.
“When more people ride bikes, everyone benefits from less traffic, cleaner air, and improved health,” Shepp said.
Bicycling can even help to lift a person’s mood, she said, citing a 2014 study by Clemson University and the University of Pennsylvania that found that “the demeanor of cyclists was significantly better than car drivers.” If distance is an issue for traveling to work, she suggested concentrating on making shorter trips of three miles or fewer.
To ensure the safety of everyone on the road, cyclists should keep these tips in mind:
- Wear white, brightly colored, or reflective clothing
- Use headlights, reflectors, and taillights
- Share the road and respect other cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians.
The month’s events are:
Meet Us on The Loop on Sunday, April 14, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Stop by the County booth at the “Bicycle Built for Two” javelina sculpture, east of Rillito Regional Park, to share why you love to ride your bike and enter for a chance at prizes.*
Attend a free BICAS Bike Repair Workshop on Wednesday, April 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., hosted by the Watershed Management Group and sponsored by PDEQ’s Clean Air Program. Register online.
Take the Bike There: This is Clean Air Challenge. If you ride a bicycle, share why you love to ride your bike and submit your information by April 30, 2024, to win a prize.*
Visit the Clean Air Challenge’s official page for more details and bicycling resources, or email [email protected].
*Ten winners will be randomly selected and contacted to claim prizes in early May. The prizes include a bike pannier, a 30 oz. insulated stainless steel tumbler, a U-Lock and bike repair kit, or a Loop jersey (as supplies last).