Oskaloosa Participates in Bike to Work Week
Left to Right - Rex Osborn, Jake McGee, Sherry Vavra, Jon Sullivan, Jeff Wilford and Randy Irwin (Back) with Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt (front) Not present was Pam Blomgren
Oskaloosa Mayor David Krutzfeldt signed a proclamation on Thursday, May 5, declaring May 20th as Bike/Walk to Work Day. Employees from local businesses will be participating by riding their bicycles to work. The week will culminate with a VIP Ride on Friday, May 20th.
The League of American bicyclists, the national organization of bicyclists, declared May as National Bike Month. Several Mahaska County community members met in February to discuss what opportunities existed locally for an organized event in May. It was determined the week of May 16-20 would be Bike/Walk to Work Week in Oskaloosa.
Andy Clarke, President of the League of American bicyclists, said, “Biking to work is an efficient and fun way to get the exercise you need without having to find extra time to work out. And this year, with gasoline prices as high as they are, biking to work makes more sense than ever.”
Jon Sullivan, Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Director and member of the local Bike to Work committee, said anyone with a bicycle should seriously consider riding their bike to work, not only during the designated week but whenever weather permits. Sullivan also indicated that anyone is welcome to ride in the VIP Ride scheduled for May 20 but registration is respectfully requested to participate in the lunch following the event.
The VIP Ride will start at 11:30 a.m. (weather permitting) beginning at Bobzilla Bicycle Werks on Pella Avenue, following the recreational trail, and ending at Edmundson Park. At just under 2 miles, it is accessible to cyclists of all abilities. Hy-Vee will be preparing grilled lunches for those who participate in the VIP Ride. The ride is free, but the lunches will cost $5 (collected at the park). Of that, Hy-Vee will donate $1 to future trail maintenance. To make sure there is enough lunches for every rider, registration is requested by emailing ask@bobzillabikes.com. Information and registration is also posted on Team Mahaska’s web site, www.teammahaska.org.
Jeff Wilford, of Bobzilla’s Bicycle Werks, said that May is National Bike to Work Month and the 16th to the 20th of May is National Bike to Work Week, and that most communities usually pick one day, and it’s usually Friday, that is Bike To Work Day. On that day, May 20 (a Friday) is Bike to Work Day.
Registration is requested so that Hy-Vee can know how many lunches to prepare. You can register for the ride by sending an e-mail to ask@bobzillabikes.com (type “VIP Ride” in the subject line) or online at www.teammahaska.org., and use the contacts link at the top of the page.
Mayor Krutzfelt said today’s proclamation had to do with bike to work day that is being headed up by a committee. “What they are promoting is general physical fitness in Oskaloosa. How are you getting to work in the morning? Do you really have to drive the car? Would you give it a shot to walk or ride a bicycle?” Krutzfeldt went on to say, “We understand that healthcare is a good thing. Self healthcare is even better, so we want to encourage exercise, we want to encourage walking. It doesn’t hurt to be out there meeting people and saying ‘Hi’ to them on the street.”
Mayor Krutzfelt said that he hoped this proclamation will help encourage people to think of these points.
