Friday’s Bikers Burned Calories, Not Fuel

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Staff from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) joined hundreds of other bikers commuting to work last Friday to showcase alternative ways of getting to work.

“Riding a bike can be a healthy and safe way to get to work,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “More and more employers are doing their part to help accommodate the needs of bike riders.” 

That morning, experienced cyclists led participants from 11 different locations around the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area, converging at Monument Circle where cyclists enjoyed free bike parking, breakfast, giveaways and information about bicycling and other commuting alternatives.

IDEM has had a high level of participation in the past, and each year I challenge our staff to surpass previous records,” said Commissioner Easterly.  “This is one day a year to show our support but we have many staff members who bike to work more often than not.”

Commissioner Easterly also recommends participating in car or van pools, walking or riding a bike to help prevent ground-level ozone. IDEM set up a booth on the circle to thank bikers and tell them how their choice to ride a bike helped out air quality.

“Besides bike riding, using public transportation and carpooling, we recommend filling vehicle gas tanks after 7 p.m.” said Commissioner Easterly.

Historically, Indiana experiences higher ground-level ozone levels during the last two weeks of June than other times during the year. Ozone forms at ground level when sunlight and hot weather bake vehicle exhaust, emissions and gasoline vapors. IDEM encourages Hoosiers to take actions, especially during those two weeks, and reduce activities that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone,

Air quality in Indiana has improved in recent years as a result of new regulations and voluntary efforts to reduce emissions. Through simple actions at home and at work, Hoosiers can continue to contribute to cleaner air.

A group of bikers travel on Market Street the morning of Bike to Work Day.