Countywide : 1,000 Forgo the Auto to Observe Bicycle Commute Day

About 1,000 government and private sector employees in Orange County left their cars at home and pedaled to work Thursday on the first California Bicycle Commute Day, a statewide event aimed at reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.

Helping set an example was the program’s countywide coordinator, Barbara Gossett of Caltrans, who rode an Orange County Transportation Authority bus and a bicycle on the 15-mile commute from her home in Garden Grove to her office in Santa Ana.

“I ride whenever I get a chance,” the transportation planner said. “It gives me some exercise, and of course you clean up the air and save on gas. And you notice things more. I was out smelling all the things that were in bloom this morning.”

Gossett said that with all the roadwork planned for Orange County--and the resulting traffic snarls on local streets--riding a bike “is a good method of travel to bear in mind.”

Among the companies that participated in Bicycle Commute Day was McDonnell Douglas Space and Defense Systems in Huntington Beach.

Company transportation coordinator Andy Thomsen said 78 employees pushed bike pedals instead of gas pedals Thursday, and were rewarded with a continental breakfast and prize giveaways.

“It went very well,” said Thomsen, who encourages workers to commute by bicycle at least once a week and participate in ride-sharing programs on the other days.

“Some employees have been (biking to work) for years,” Thomsen said. “They were really thankful that something they have been doing for a while now is starting to get recognized on a statewide level.”

Gossett said companies can encourage bicycle commuting by providing secured bike racks, locker rooms and showers.

“And a relaxed dress code doesn’t hurt,” she added.