How do you commute? April is Valley Bike Month, an annual celebration that focuses on bicycling as a year-round way to travel. A recent survey found 28 percent of Valley commuters use an alternative mode of transportation to get to work. Karen Voyer-Caravona of Phoenix is one of them. With one vehicle between her and her husband, biking to everyday destinations gives Karen freedom.
“I bike somewhere almost daily,” said Voyer-Caravona. “Work, dental and medical appointments, meetings at city hall, movie dates with my husband, and to meet friends for coffee. For some places that are a longer distance I combine light rail or bus with bike riding.”
Benefits of bicycling include:
- Convenient connections
- Bike instead of drive and then connect to bus or light rail to complete your trip.
- Improved health
- Burn more calories and reduce stress and the risk of heart disease.
- Money saved
- Cyclists save on commute and parking cost.
- Environmentally friendly
- Reduce emissions that cause air pollution, fuel consumption and traffic congestion.
To share the benefits of cycling, that Karen and thousands of others experience, Valley Metro is partnering with cities across the region to host Valley Bike Month in April. Events include Bike to the Ballpark in Peoria, Glendale Family Bike Ride, Scottsdale Cycle the Arts and Bikes and Beer in Tempe. Other activities include an online pledge and contests.