The American Automobile Association recently reported that San Luis Obispo County has the highest gas prices in California.
To combat the high cost of transportation and reduce pollution, the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition launched Bike Forward in 2004, a program that provides a way for selected applicants to own a new TREK commuter bicycle package for $250.
The package is originally valued at $1,040 and comes with fenders, a rear pack, a pannier bag, a helmet and other accessories.
Adam Fukushima, executive director of the coalition, said the program enables county residents to try out the biking commute without a huge financial investment.
“We received about 60 applications this year,” Fukushima said. “Applicants were chosen based on whether or not they would fulfill the requirement to replace road trips with bike trips.”
On Nov. 9, this year’s recipients of the program were awarded their bikes in a ceremony at Mission Plaza that was attended by about 50 people.
At the ceremony, county supervisor Jim Patterson reported that during the course of the eight-year project, the coalition will see a vehicle trip reduction of 23,000 and an annual mileage reduction of 82,000.
April Hoey, a former Bike Forward program recipient, said that she used to commute two miles to work in a truck that averaged 12 miles per gallon of gas.
“I cut my mileage and now I only drive 4,000 to 5,000 miles per year,” Hoey said. “It’s really a great way to start your day. It’s very positive.”
The 30 recipients were selected from all over the county and represent a range of ages and backgrounds, though Fukushima said that preference was given to people who were new to the concept of commuter biking.
Recipient Brendan Rowe, 23, of San Luis Obispo, said he applied for the program after reading about it in New Times.
“I needed a bike since I was walking everywhere,” Rowe said. “I hope I get more exercise.”
Other recipients applied because they wanted to help reduce pollution.
“I wanted to reduce my carbon output since most of my trips are short,” said Sarah Tennesen, 25, of San Luis Obispo. “And the physical aspect, you can’t beat that.”
Most recipients were fed up with the financial strain of current gas prices.
“I really would like to start driving my car less and save money on gas,” said Shirley Hancock of Grover Beach. “Years ago I went cross-country from the Colorado state line to the Missouri state line with a bike club. If I could do it then, I can do it now.”
A grant from the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District and a sponsorship from Foothill Cyclery funded the program.
Fukushima said that another goal of the program is to improve health, since the Public Health Department reported that 55 percent of county adults are overweight or obese.
Ultimately, the coalition wants to get more people on bikes, expand the program and reach more people throughout the county.
“Past recipients said that they never knew their neighborhood while speeding by in a car,” Fukushima said. “They notice more and the program really provides happiness.”