Bike commuting cuts down on automobile traffic and reduces stress, congestion and parking needs. Fewer cars mean safer communities with lower speed limits, less congestion and less noise, air, water and ground pollution. A dozen bikes can be parked in one car parking space.Businesses that support Bike-to-Work-Week, May 10-16, have more parking spaces for their car-driving customers. A cleaner environment is a cheaper place to do business, and supporting bike commuters will earn a business loyal, healthy employees and clients.At the May 1 City Council meeting, Mayor Don Vanderhoof, through a proclamation, urged all citizens to support efforts to ride their bikes to work, school and around town, to support Glenwood Springs’ Transportation Demand Management program and to TRY biking, one trip at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time.

Through May 14, nominations are being accepted for the RFTA, Glenwood Springs Post Independent and Aspen Times Most Consistent Bike Commuter award. Win an Amtrak round trip, coach seating, for two on the California Zephyr from Glenwood Springs to San Francisco, or a $25 gift certificate from Aspen Sports. Nominations should include a 25-word outline why this person should be voted as Aspen’s or Glenwood’s Most Consistent Bike Commuter. Selection is based on rain or shine devotion to biking to work and around town. Mail entries to RFTA, P.O. Box 1270, Carbondale, CO 81623, or e-mail to cpadget@rof.net by May 14. Winners will be announced at May 16 events.-From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, at the 7th Street Esplanade, the Glenwood Springs DDA/TRY/KMTS invite cyclists to a brown bag lunch prepared by Bagel Bites. Bike safety checks will be provided by Canyon Bike and BSR Sports. Glenwood Springs High School’s Better Future students will explain the “Free Green Ride” bike share program and Sunlight Mountain Ski and Bike Shop will complete the luncheon. “Explore Glenwood” tourism training participants will join the group for lunch.-Friday, May 16, is National Bike to Work Day. Presentation of the RFTA/Post Independent Most Consistent Bike Commuter award for Glenwood Springs and Garfield County will be made at the chamber’s “Explore Glenwood” Business After Hours party, from 5-7 p.m. at the Community Center. Ride your bike to the Community Center, have fun, stay healthy and leave your car at home.-May 10-16, donate your old bike to the Sunlight Mountain Ski & Bike Shop, 309 9th St. in Glenwood Springs, and receive $50 off the purchase of a new adult bike. All usable donated bikes will be refurbished by the Glenwood Springs High School’s Free Green Ride bike share program.FREE bike and trail maps for the Glenwood Springs area can be downloaded off the TRY Web site at tryglenwood.com.Sponsors for these events include the City of Glenwood Springs TRY Alternative Transportation, RFTA, city of Aspen, CORE, Glenwood Springs Downtown Development Authority, Amtrak, KMTS, KSPN, KKCH, KNFO, Glenwood Springs Post Independent, Rifle Citizen Telegram, Aspen Times and the Valley Journal. For information on Bike to Work and School month, call 384-6437, or go online to tryglenwood.com.Cathy Tuttle is with the consulting firm of Tuttle Marketing and is the RFTA/City of Glenwood Transportation Marketing Alliance manager/consultant. This column will appear every Monday to explain how each person in our community can make a difference in our quality of life. Transportation Responsibility & You – one day at a time, one trip at a time!