Class helps woman prepare for better bike riding in area

By MARY ANN ALBRIGHT
Gazette-Times reporter

Sally Elliott has to drive from Corvallis to Albany for work every weekday, so she savors her Saturday and Sunday bike rides.

"It's a nice alternative to walking," she said. "You can cover a lot more ground and see a lot more."

Elliott bikes for exercise and personal enjoyment. She also appreciates how friendly bicycle commuting is on the environment and the pocketbook.

"Gas prices are so high," she said, citing yet another reason to leave the car in the garage.

On Sunday morning, Elliott turned out for Jerry Rooney's effective cycling class. As the only student, she enjoyed plenty of personal attention.

"I'm hoping to learn better bicycle safety because I'm a danger to myself and others," she said. Elliott also wanted tips on gearing and bicycle maintenance.

Rooney will offer three more Sunday classes as part of August in Motion, a month-long program encouraging people to bike and walk.

"Our goal is to encourage people to be more physically active by getting out there and bicycling and walking," said Patty Parsons, chronic disease health promotions specialist with the Benton County Health Department.

Parsons is one of several local volunteers spearheading the first of what she hopes will become an annual event.

August in Motion is sponsored by local bicycle and pedestrian clubs and advisory groups, including representatives from the Benton County Bicycle Advisory Commission, the City of Corvallis Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory and the Corvallis Cruisers.

Parsons focuses on walking with pedometers in her work with the health department. Experts recommend people take 10,000 steps a day to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, she said.

"We know that obesity levels are increasing. It's partly because physical activity has been engineered out of our lives," Parsons said.

Parsons believes that active transportation is a good way for people who don't have the time or resources to access a gym to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. For example, people can take a walk during their lunch breaks, or bike to work.

Susan Christie, chairwoman of the August in Motion committee, bikes to her job at CH2M Hill. She also goes on regular recreational rides with the Mid-Valley Bicycle Club.

"It's probably the nearest thing to a fountain of youth we'll have in our lifetime," she said.

Christie and fellow cycling enthusiast Benton Richardson came to Franklin Square on Sunday to help Rooney pass on bicycling wisdom.

Rooney's classes focus on safety. He explained to Elliott the importance of having the proper reflective gear, a good headlight and tail light and a properly fitting helmet. He also demonstrated the correct way to signal right- and left-hand turns.

After inspecting Elliott's bike, Rooney determined that the pressure in her tires was far too low. Luckily, Christie had a pump with her, so they quickly remedied the problem. Elliott said she expects this will make a big difference in her riding.

Richardson praised Corvallis for its recent designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Corvallis is one of only four recipients nationally, including Portland, to be recognized at the gold level.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 7.5 percent of Corvallis residents commute by bicycle. The city Public Works Department reports that Corvallis has over 165 miles of on-street bike lanes, and nearly 17 miles of multi-modal paths that bicyclists can use for commuting and recreation.

In addition to Rooney's classes, August in Motion includes events such as tree walks, a covered bridge ride and the Oregon State University Beaver Strides 5K/10K walk. Some local businesses, including the First Alternative Co-op, Iovino's, Footwise, Java Connection and Great Harvest, offer discounts to cyclists on select days.

Event organizers hope that by exposing people to the joys of biking and walking, August in Motion will translate into a year-long emphasis on active, environmentally friendly living.

For more information

For an updated calendar of August in Motion events, see the Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department Web site at www.ci.corvallis.or.us/

downloads/pr/motion.pdf.

The Mid-Valley Bicycle Club organizes group rides every Wednesday and Saturday morning. For more information, see the group's Web site at www.peak.org/~mvbc/.

Mary Ann Albright can be reached at maryann.albright@lee.net or 758-9518.