Time to Recognize the Bike Commuter of the Year

Many people know at least one dedicated bike commuter. A coworker who pedals to the office each day after leading his child’s commute to school. A neighbor who loads up her bags and basket at the weekly farmers market. The couple who rides to dinner out every Saturday night.

“The time has come,” says Aileen Carroll, new Outreach Director at Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, “to shine a little light on the object of your bike commute inspiration by nominating her or him as Bike Commuter of the Year 2013.”

Carroll, a Sonoma Valley resident, served on the board of directors with Napa Bike, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition.

The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition (SCBC) has begun to collect nominations for these everyday cycling superheroes, in anticipation of Bike to Work Day later this spring . This annual award recognizes one person who, by being a dedicated transportation rider, inspires others to give bike commuting a try.

SCBC will announce the Bike Commuter of the Year On May 1st, the first day of National Bike Month, in time to inspire others to give bike commuting a try on Bike to Work Day on May 9th.

Nominations are accepted from many Bay Area counties, including Sonoma County. A Bike Commuter of the Year is selected from each county.

Last year’s Sonoma County winner was Pauli Frey, who logged about 220 commute miles every week on his bike. Pauli commutes from his home Sebastopol to Petaluma to work with kids with learning disabilities, then cycles from Petaluma to Northwest Santa Rosa to work in a bike shop before going back home. He has not owned a car for 15 years.

Nominate a bike commuter now by visiting www.youcanbikethere.com/bcoy. Nominators are asked to paint a clear picture of their nominee in 200 words or less. The more you share about how “bike-friendly” the nominee is, the better chance they have of becoming the 2013 Bike Commuter of the Year.

Nominations are open until April 22nd.