County Gets Mileage Out of 1st Bike Day : Commuters: About 200 employees--roughly 100 more than usual--pedal to work at the government center in Ventura.

On Tuesday Brent Ridge did what he has done virtually every workday for the past 12 years. He packed his work clothes, got on his bike and rode nine miles to his job at the Ventura County Government Center.

Although it was a normal day for Ridge, it wasn’t for about 100 county employees who left their cars at home and biked to work in recognition of the county’s first annual Bike to Work Day.

Counting the regular bike commuters such as Ridge, the bike count Tuesday was up to 217--about 100 more than usual--said Jim Pickens, county transportation coordinator.

“We had expected 300, but this was a pretty decent turnout,” Pickens said. He doesn’t expect all of the new riders to become regular bike commuters.

“But if half of them decide to do it on a regular basis, then that’s quite a jump,” he said.

Probably the longest bike commute was made by Bruce Keller, who pedaled 20 miles from Ojai to Ventura. For the final few blocks, he donned a gorilla mask.

“It’s a great way to get to work,” he said of the 90-minute ride that he makes every couple of weeks.

The event was planned to encourage other county employees to leave their cars at home in an effort to help reduce the county’s air-pollution levels, which exceed state and federal regulations.

County officials staged a noon rally on the government center grounds to promote bike commuting, and to hand out free pizza to employees who pedaled their way to work.

To kick off the rally, county supervisors pedaled up to the podium in bicycle surreys. None of them, however, had biked to the government center.

Board Chairman Maggie Erickson Kildee said she can’t handle anything but level ground.

“If it’s hilly, I’m in deep trouble,” she said.

For Supervisor Vicky Howard, it was the distance from her Simi Valley home. “I could never handle the Conejo Grade.”

Vertigo was Supervisor Susan Lacey’s reason.

But Richard Wittenberg, the county’s chief administrative officer, said he borrowed a bike and helmet and pedaled the three miles from his Ventura residence to the government center.

“I’m not a regular rider,” he said, adding that he does car-pool one day a week.

To encourage more employees to leave their cars at home, the county established a cash-incentive program in December to those who car-pool, walk, bike or use other transportation.

Those who leave their cars at home 144 days during the year receive a $300 cash bonus just before Christmas. Those who do it 96 days get $200.

So far, 2,859 county employees have signed up for the program--40% of the county’s 6,700 workers, Pickens said. Already, 980 have earned at least $200.

The cash-incentive program is one of several in a plan that the county approved last summer to reduce employees’ use of cars. The plan also included guaranteed rides home in emergencies for those who don’t drive to work, and preferential parking for employees who car-pool.

The plan was drafted to bring the county into compliance with Air Pollution Control District requirements to cut back on the number of area car commuters. Other public and private employers in the county are devising similar plans.

Pickens said 1,800 to 2,000 employee cars are parked weekdays at the government center, one of several county work sites. That means, he said, that 500 to 700 employees are finding alternative ways to get to work.

For Ridge, the daily trek from his Oxnard home provides him with exercise and saves him gas money. He hasn’t driven to work since 1985. In bad weather, his wife gives him a lift.

“It’s my small contribution to the environment,” he said.