SaltCycle: Bike Month continues with the Mayors' Bike to Work Day today

The weather cooperated for the first time in years as more than one hundred riders, plus press and police escort, met early this morning at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City to take part in this year's Mayors' Bike to Work Day. Under police escort, the group rode approximately five miles through the city to several destinations where bagels, orange juice, and t-shirts were provided. This year's ride was unique from past years' because Mayor Cherie Wood from South Salt Lake joined the ride alongside more than ten other from South Salt Lake City Hall. Being SSL's first mayor to join the annual ride, Mayor Wood and other department heads showed their increasing support and enthusiasm for bicycling. (South Salt Lake also installed their second bike lane, on West Temple, earlier this month).

Over one hundred riders come out to Liberty Park

More than one hundred came out to enjoy today's fantastic weather,
and to ride with Mayors Becker, Corroon, Wood, and Wall.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

More photos and about my thoughts about the ride below.

The ride was a lot of fun. I feel like sometimes I write too authoritatively about the really, really fun events that we have here in the city - almost like I'm a news reporter without a voice. But bicycling is fun, and these stories and photos should be fun too. So I'm going to try harder to just have a good time writing and riding and shooting. I hope you enjoy them.

In attendance were all of the City's and County's leading bicycle transportation planners and advocates. Photos of them are included here and in the Mayors' Bike to Work Day set on flickr.

The ride left from Liberty Park and headed south on 700 East.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

After winding through the Central City neighborhood on quiet streets, the group congregated and listened to Mayor Peter Corroon (Salt Lake County), and enjoyed bagels, orange juice, and free t-shirts.

The group gets free bagels and orange juice at the County Gov't Complex

Riders at the County Gov't Complex.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

Mayor Corroon, SLCo, speaks to riders and members of the press.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

Mayor Cherie Wood (center) of South Salt Lake

Mayor Wood (center) from South Salt Lake with help from her friends.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

Dave Iltis (center, blue shirt) from Cycling Utah

Dave Iltis from Cycling Utah (center, blue shirt)
enjoys his bagel and taking photos of the event.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

L to R: Kevin Bell (SLC GIS), Mark Kennedy (Saturday Cycles), Becka Roolf (SLC)

L to R: Kevin Bell (GIS specialist for SLC), Mark Kennedy (Saturday Cycles),
and Becka Roolf (SLC Bike Ped Coordinator)
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

Steve (left) and Mark from Saturday Cycles

Steve Wasmund and Mark Kennedy
from Salt Lake's friendliest shop, Saturday Cycles.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

South Salt Lake represented their city well with great numbers and custom athletic t-shirts.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

Sharen Hauri (SSL Urban Design Director) speaks with an SSL resident
about the City's new vision for bicycles.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

As we headed north to the City County Building, I met a new/old friend, Gary Peterson, who worked with my mother at Intermountain Medical Center. Apparently I had met him before, years earlier, and encounter I do not recall. Gary, pictured below, is the owner of a fantastic and unique Beyss, German bike pod. Completely waterproof, weighing in at around 80 pounds, and setting you back $10,000, Gary told me of his year round commutes from his home near Olympus High School to IMC in Murray. Because Gary rides from his garage to the parking garage at the hospital, he arrives completely dry and happy in even the nastiest of snow storms.

Gary Peterson and I had a nice chat on the way to the City County Bldg

Gary Peterson tells me about his Beyss bike pod, the only one within 1,000 miles of Salt Lake.
(Photo: Tom Millar / SaltCycle.org)

The ride stayed on 300 East from the County Gov't complex all the way up to the City County Building, passing the section of 3rd East that will be repaved and redesigned with Salt Lake City's first cycle track this June. At the City County Building, everyone who remained (around 60) enjoyed more bagels and drinks and the company of friends and elected representatives.