Bike to Work Texoma!
SHERMAN, TX - May is national ride your bike to work month, and while gas prices are still pretty high, it couldn't come at a better time. Although gas prices have recently gone down just a little, some people are still turning to alternative methods of transportation, even riding a bicycle. We caught up with some of them to find out if it's actually saving them money.
"It saves you a lot of money not only for insurance and gas and upkeep." said Dr. Carlson.
It's national ride your bike to work week but many texomans already commute to work on a bike. TMC family doctor Duke Carlson has been doing it for 30 years.
"You know I average around 17 to 18 miles an hour to get to work get my heart rate up because it's such a well designed bicycle and because I'm moving fast any sweat that I have evaporates." said Carlson.
Nautilus bicycle shop manager, Charlie Jenkins, says recently they've seen an increase in the number of people coming in for bike repairs. Many customers say it's because gas is so expensive, but Jenkins agrees with Carlson, there are plenty of other benefits besides saving money.
"Well in addition to saving the gas and high gas prices it's very healthy and it's rejuvenating getting out and riding just generally makes you feel good." said Jenkins.
If you're considering taking up a bike route to and from work, but your bike has been sitting in the garage for a while, Jenkins says before you start you should get it serviced.
"Definitely they wanna bring their bike in and have it checked out and make sure that everything is in working order and safe on it." said Jenkins.
Jenkins and his wife Pat have been riding tandem to work for about 10 years now.
Jenkins and Carlson both agree that riding your bike to work is cheaper and more environmental friendly, but the best part is sneaking exercise into their day.
"No matter what happens I'm gonna exercise everyday I mean I don't even think about not exercising for the fact that exercise is built into my daily routine." said Carlson.
If you'd like to start riding your bike to work Jenkins says make sure you wear a helmet, find a safe route to work with wide shoulders on the road and obey all traffic laws as if you were in a vehicle.
For more information on biking safely to work log on to www.bikeleague.org
