The Franklin County Commissioners held a press conference this morning to announce they've adopted our "2 by 2012" initiative--our aim is to get every citizen biking to work, school or to run errands twice a month. Commissioner Brown, Brooks and O'Grady each spoke sincerely about the reasons for encouraging County employees and residents to lose two wheels twice per month. Commissioner Brown indicated that a recent ranking of the personal health of Ohioans puts Franklin County towards the bottom of the list (65th out 88). Commissioner Brooks discussed the unsustainable cost to the County and area businesses bottom lines from double digit increases in healthcare costs, much of which is related to the obesity epidemic--she acknowledged that biking can help reverse this trend. Commissioner O'Grady calculated that if someone bikes to and from work 25 miles round trip, you would save $15 per day (actually the annual cost savings of "retiring" just one of the family's autos will save $8-10,000 per year).
So the Commissioners signed on for "2 by 2012" and are providing incentives, e.g. lunch discounts, and flexible work schedules (check with your supervisor first) to encourage County employees to bike to work.
Bob Connors, the talk show host, heard that the Commissioners were adopting "2 by 2012" and poked a little fun at them this morning. "So are the Commissioners going to bike to work?" he asked skeptically. Well, Bob, I asked them point blank in front of the TV cameras and their answer? A resounding, "YES!" In fact, here's a shot of Commissioner Brooks trying out County Clerk of Courts O'Shaughnessy's stylish urban commuter bike. To me, she looks like she's ready to go!
And here's a shot of County Clerk of Courts O'Shaughnessy explaining to Commissioner Brooks how to carry everything you need in your panniers.
Commissioner Brooks said she plans to hop on one of the Clintonville to Downtown BIKE BUSES soon. (Check out the BIKE BUSES running all over CBUS at www.ridenet.net. Click on "Rides.")
Finally, here's a shot of my trusty steed tied up to one of the new bike racks recently installed outside the new County Courthouse.
Bob Connors also questioned how much good biking to work 2 days per month can do? I hereby challenge Bob to put his butt where his mouth is and give it a try. Whatta ya say, Bob?
Great blog today, Doug! Loved seeing Paula sport MEOS' bike!
Posted by: Jess | April 25, 2011 at 09:24 AM