BACKGROUND:
The objective of Bike to Work Day is to encourage County commuters to try bicycling to work on this occasion by offering a variety of incentives such as a raffle for prizes, and by providing energizer stations throughout the County with refreshments and educational materials for bicycle commuters. Once individuals try bicycling to work it is hoped that they will continue to commute by bicycle one or more days a week. Bicycling is excellent exercise, non-polluting and an energy efficient form of transportation.
National Bike Month and California Bike Commute Week are both in May. All nine Bay Area counties are participating in Bike to Work Day on May 11th at some level. Bike to Work Day in the San Francisco Bay Area is primarily funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission with the help of financial donations from event sponsors and volunteers. There will be over 200 energizer stations throughout the Bay Area where cyclists can stop by for refreshments and promotional materials. Thirty-seven energizer stations will be sponsored in Contra Costa County, including one at the Martinez Amtrak Train Station and one at the foot of the Benicia/Martinez Bridge (Mococo Road). 511 Contra Costa has requested volunteers for the two aforementioned energizer stations. DCD staff contact information will be provided in the outreach memorandum for County employees interested in volunteering. Energizer station shifts typically last two hours during peak commute periods (6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.). 511 Contra Costa provides the necessary materials to hand out to Bike to Work Day participants.
The attachment includes a poster for Bike to Work Day and information about the May 11th event, as well as a transmittal memo from the County Administrator to County Department Heads requesting each department encourage their employees to participate in the Bike to Work Day event. Additional information, including the location of energizer stations within the County and throughout the Bay Area, is available on the website at http://www.youcanbikethere.com/. With the Board's approval, posters and other outreach materials will be distributed to County departments for their use in outreach to County employees.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the resolution is not approved, the County will not encourage its employees to participate in "Bike to Work Day."