Cycling as transportation

Next week is a busy one for active cyclists in Nashville. Actually, the entire month of May is National Bike Month, but here in Nashville May 15-21 is quite busy.

The Great Commuter Race takes place on either Monday or Tuesday at 7:30 AM. There's a date discrepancy between the Walk/Bike Nashville website and their periodic newsletter, but I'll provide the correct info when it becomes available.

The Great Commuter Race pits a cyclist against a motorist, bus rider, runner and skater to see who can reach downtown the first while obeying all traffic laws. The race will begin at the TSU stadium, but I do not know the official finish line. If I'm not mistaken the bicyclist has won this race the last few years, which goes to prove it's cheaper to pedal than to fill your tank!

The next big date is Bike-to-Work day on Friday, May 19. Riders are meeting at various points throughout the city and coming together at Legislative Plaza. Once at the plaza refreshments will be provided for the early rising pedalcyclists. Helmets are required to participate.

Below are the meeting points and start times. I plan to be at Gran Fondo with camera in hand and ready to roll at 7:00 AM :

West End (Sean Davies 673-6329)
Red Caboose Playground– 6:40 am
Gran Fondo Bike Shop– 7:00 am

Murphy Road (Eric Hutton 354-9613)
Richland Park-7:00 am
Elmington Park-7:10 am
Join Hillsboro/Belmont Route at 16th/Magnolia

Hillsboro/Belmont (Tom Grooms 269- 3186)
Hillsboro High School—7:00 am
Belmont/Gale –7:20 am
16th/Magnolia-7:30 am

Shelby Ave (Leslie Thompson 668-6003)
Shelby Community Center—7:15 am
East Community Center—7:30 am

I encourage you to pick a starting place and participate in this event. Everyone who shows up will be supporting cycling in a positive way, and helping to gain recognition for cyclists in the eyes of all motorists.