Dannecker and Associates joined dozens of sponsors for San Diego’s “Bike to Work Day” on Friday May 20. Hundreds of cyclists and commuters from all over San Diego participated in the event.  Combining San Diego’s perfect weather (Bike to Work Day was a perfect 68 and sunny), high gas prices and the challenge of parking, why drive if you can bike?

On this morning, more than 70 “pit stops” were set up throughout San Diego County to provide water, juice, energy bars and motivation to cyclists.  We set up at the beautiful wrought iron enclosed pocket park at 4th and Island–adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation. 

It was a great setting and fifty cyclists stopped by to say hi.  We heard the food was much better at The Hard Rock pit stop.  Something to aspire to next year for Dannecker and Associates.

Every day is Bike to Work Day

 I am an almost daily bicycle commuter.  From home in Little Italy it’s less than 3/4 of a mile to the office.  Driving to work means getting my car out of underground parking, dealing with morning traffic, finding a parking place and walking to the office.  Overall, a more time consuming choice than the 12 minute walk.  However, bicycling is less than 5 minutes door to door!  

John (sorry, I didn’t catch your last name), teaches at City College and rides daily from Del Sur.  A 26 mile daily commute keeps him in great shape, and as he said, “puts him in an excellent frame of mind” to work with students

The day’s best testimonial for bicycle commuting came from Adam Ehlin, a mechanic at Bicycle Revolution.  He has never owned a car in his years in San Diego.  Mountain biking is his big thing, but riding a mile and a half from Golden Hill to the bike shop on 6th Ave. is a great way to keep costs low and life hassle free.

Making Changes in Lifestyle

Overcoming inertia is the biggest obstacle to change.  It was amazing in the dialogue among cyclists and others who stopped to chat, that not only is change possible, but really a goal for many.  Jennifer Fisher, who works in an advertising agency on 5th Ave. often has offsite client meetings and dresses for business–not biking.  But in her office, Fridays are casual. 

Bike to work day was her first day as a bike commuter.  She really liked the idea that in the future, Fridays will become bike to work days!

Check it out for your lifestyle.  Can you simplify your life and leave your car at home?