How We Roll: Friday is National Bike to Work Day

By: Meredyth Censullo

Tampa, Florida - It's 8 a.m. and Mike Limerick is gearing up for his morning commute, a 10-mile ride from his home in Seminole Heights to Telecom Park in northeast Tampa. He makes the ride twice a week when his shift begins at 9:30. The rest of the week he’s on the job early – 7:30 – which would require him to ride in the dark. He’s not ruling that out, though.

Mike Limerick, Cycles to work: "When the gas prices get to about four bucks you may see me on the road every day."

Aside from economics, Limerick, an athletic trainer who works in the Physical Therapy department at Florida Orthopedic Institute, sees his cycling as an opportunity to be a "roll" model for patients and co-workers. He's lost weight and, unlike many commuters who battle traffic, arrives at work with a good attitude.

Limerick: "It really mellows me down. People at work say ‘you're so much happier when you ride!’"

What company couldn't benefit from happier employees?

Creating a bike-friendly corporate doesn't have to be costly says Julie Bond of local cycling organization Tampa BayCycle.

Julie Bond, Tampa BayCycle: "To provide safe secure parking can be reasonably priced. You can simply provide an inverted "u" bicycle rack - those run about 100 dollars."

Bond, who frequently cycles to work, says for about $1,800 each “bike lids” can be installed. They shield cycles from the elements. Employers also can offer flexible work hours and provide shower facilities. Limerick’s has the latter ... though he says sometimes the shower comes along his bike route.

Limerick "Adventure Island - they have all the water spraying and that kind-of forces me out in the road."

Limerick has these suggestions for anyone considering biking to work:

1. Scope out routes and drive them in your car during the times of day you’d be biking to check on traffic conditions. Maps of recommended bike routes in Hillsborough County as well as the City of St. Petersburg in Pinellas County are available on the Tampa BayCycle Initiative website.

2. Join a local cycling club on a group ride and talk to members about how they set up their bikes for commuting. Limerick is co-founder of a club in Seminole Heights. Learn more about the group here.

Also, three group rides are planned Friday morning for National Bike to Work Day: Flatwoods to USF, Seminole Heights to downtown Tampa and in St. Petersburg from Coffee Pot Park (30th Avenue N. and 1st Street) to City Hall. Here’s the schedule.

3. Make a checklist of everything you’ll need to take with you to the office.

The Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization is developing a new Master Plan for Bicycles and is conducting an online survey to get people's opinions. You can take the survey by clicking here.

Do you commute to work using something other than car? Tell Traffic Pulse reporter Meredyth Censullo about it. Email Mere at mcensullo@tampabays10.com.