Healthcare Professionals Ride to Work

Press Release (for immediate release)

Bike to Work Challenge is well received

Medical professionals try an alternative method for a weekWVMC Employee Don Lester (right) rides to work with his son on Bike to Work Day

May 24, 2011:  Our challenge was met: The Wenatchee Valley Medical Center (WVMC) and the Central Washington Hospital (CWH) have recently finished a friendly competition determining whose staff was most willing to ride their bike to work for a week.  The competition was held during Bike to Work Week and finished on Friday May, 20^th; National Bike to Work Day.

The competition was proposed by the Regional Bike Advisory Board as a way to encourage more people to try bicycle commuting during Bike to Work Week.   Don Lester, Regional Bike Advisory Board member and Senior Engineer for WVMC took the idea and worked with WVMC Staff to implement the plan. 

Participants in the competition were asked to log their commute miles via a portal created on the intra-net networks of both organizations.  There was no minimum distance or number of days and the only requirement is that the mileage be commuting miles ridden only, no recreational riding.  The competition was close at times and the final numbers are impressive.

Here are the numbers for the combined effort:

• 58                           Total Participants
• 1,447                     Total Miles ridden
• 70,000                   Calories burned
• 1400 lbs.               Carbon saved
• $293                       Saved at gas pumps

The Regional Bike Advisory Board and Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council are proud to present the following awards for the top commuters during this challenge:

• Overall Mileage and Staff Participation—Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, 31 Riders, 785 miles
• CWH Super Commuter—Cora Sturzl, 5 commute days, 100.5 miles
• WVMC Super Commuter—Fred Schuenemann, 5 commute days, 118 miles.

Awards will be presented to each of the winners early next month.  The Regional Bike Advisory Board hopes that this challenge can be expanded next year to include businesses and individuals throughout the community encouraging others to give bicycle commuting a try and also further their effort to create a Bicycle Friendly Wenatchee Valley.

Overall Results are as follows:

Wenatchee Valley Medical Center

31—Riders

785—Total Miles

38K—Calories Burned

798 lbs.—Carbon Saved

$159—saved on auto fuel

Top Riders:

Fred Schuenemann—118 miles

Wally Gibbons—80 miles

Don Lester—60 miles

Dave Miller—56 miles

Central Washington Hospital

27—Riders

662—Total Miles

32K—Calories Burned

673 lbs.—Carbon Saved

$134—saved on auto fuel

Top Riders:

Cora Sturzl—100.5 miles

Daniel Yant—77.5 miles

Scott Connelly—60.7 miles

Mike Sorenson—60 miles

The Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council (WVTC) serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and develops transportation improvement plans designed to meet the region’s projected economic and population growth looking 20 years into the future.  The Regional Bicycle Advisory Board is a volunteer citizen advisory committee to the WVTC that informs bicycle and pedestrian transportation issues in the Wenatchee Valley Urban Area.

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It Just keeps getting better!

Wow!!!

Not only will bicycle commuters be treated with free bike safety checks from Bruce's Mobile Bike Werks, free quick bike fits from Arlberg Sports, and tasty coffee and treats from Caffe Mela, Pretiola Bakery and JB Steamers on Friday.  Now Garlini's Napoletana has gotten into the act and is offering a Free Margarita pizza to anyone who show's up by bicycle during regular business hours.

Thanks Garlini's !!

Local Healthcare Professionals compete for top Bicycle Commuter bragging rights

From the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center Intranet:

“Bike to Work Week” Competition Between WVMC and CWH

“National Bike to Work Week” is being recognized this year with a friendly competition between Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and Central Washington Hospital.

Beginning on Saturday, May 14, and running through Friday, May 20, staff at each location who ride their bicycles to work will have an opportunity to log their trips on the WVMC intranet. The results of those entries will be tabulated, and awards will be given by the Regional Bicycle Advisory Board to the organization with the most riders and the most mileage. Additionally, there will be an award to the top bicycle commuter from each organization based on his/her total days ridden and mileage. 

On the official Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 20, from 7 to 9 a.m., the Regional Bicycle Advisory Board—along with WVMC and CWH—have arranged for some extra incentives.

• WVMC employees who visit the Bistro that morning carrying their bicycle helmet can pick up a free breakfast sandwich and juice.

• CWH employees who ride to work that morning get a free latte from their on-site JB Steamers.
  
  
• An “appreciation station” will be set up at JB Steamers at the base of 9th Street in East Wenatchee (across the highway from the pedestrian/pipeline bridge). Bruce’s Mobile Bike Werks will be offering free bicycle safety checks, and JB Steamers will offer 75 cents off any coffee. Before leaving, make sure to sign up for the free raffle to win gear donated by Arlberg Sports.

• An appreciation station will be set up at the corner of 1st Street and Wenatchee Avenue (the little gazebo area by OWL). Snacks will be available courtesy of Pretiola Bakery, with coffee from Café Mela. Arlberg Sports will be on hand to do quick “bike fit” checks. Before leaving, make sure to sign up for the free raffle to win gear donated by Arlberg Sports.  You can enter at each location to double your chances of winning.

National Bike to Work Month is underway!

“Bike to Work Month” is a national event which attempts to raise bicycle awareness and encourage more people to ride their bicycle for their commute…at least once.

During the month citizens are encouraged to ride to work as many times as possible.  Friday the 20^thmarks the official “Bike to Work Day.”  If there is one day that you choose to commute by bicycle, this month make it Friday May 20^th!

Here are a few reasons to give it a try:

• Bicycling is great form of moderate exercise; you can use your commute to improve your health.
• Bicycling is the most efficient form of transportation, which is good for the environment and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
• Bicycling saves you money which gives you more disposable income, which you can put into savings or spend supporting local businesses.
• Bicycling is just plain fun and makes you smile, which is good for stress reduction.

From 7 am to 9 am on Friday the 20^th local businesses and members of the Regional Bike Advisory Boardwill help celebrate bicycle commuting in the Valley at two separate “Bike Commuter Appreciation Station” locations. 

Along with some refreshments commuters can spend a little time checking out the proposed bike network for the Bicycle Master Plan, get a free bike safety check or quick bike fit, and be entered into a raffle to win some great Bicycle Commuter gear from Arlberg Sports.