Strive Not To Drive News Release
Contact: Terri March, Buncombe County Health Center
828-250-5047, Terri.March@buncombecounty.org
STRIVE NOT TO DRIVE, May 12th-16th, 2008
Seventeen years ago a small group of people launched Bike to Work day in Asheville. Claudia Nix of Liberty Bikes was involved in the early campaign and recalls At that time we just wanted to promote the National Bike to Work Campaign, encourage more people to bike and to increase awareness about the rights of cyclist. Over the years Bike to Work Day evolved into Strive Not to Drive Week and now focuses on multiple forms of car-free transportation. This year, with the recent City Council approval of the Asheville Bicycle Master Plan, the campaign is returning to its roots and celebrating the event during Bike to Work week. Strive Not to Drive 2008 will emphasize the importance of bicycling not only as a transportation form that needs to be supported but also as an important strategy to improve health and quality of life in our community.
The week kicks off on May 12th with the Mayor’s Ride. Beginning with a 10:00 press conference at the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Bellamy will be joined by community leaders as she cycles to City Hall. The event will end with business and community leaders taking a pledge to help make the Asheville area a nationally recognized center for health and wellness activity.
When Bike to Work Day was first celebrated in 1990, air quality in Western North Carolina wasn’t an issue. Today air quality affects the health of many of our residents and the cars we drive contribute to at least half of our air pollution problem. Poor air quality is especially harmful to the health of children, the elderly and those who have breathing problems.
Our transportation choices affect our health in other ways as well. As we become more and more reliant on our cars to get around we also become less physically active. Alphie Rodriquez, Healthy Buncombe chair, and Health and Wellness Director of the YWCA says the lack of ability to get where we need to go by foot or bike has contributed to our growing obesity problem. A quarter of our car trips are for less than a mile. We’d be healthier if we walked or biked instead of driving.
Strive Not to Drive is an opportunity to consider how the transportation choices you make impacts our health and mountain lifestyle. On May 16th event organizers encourage you to get to work or school using a form of transportation other than driving in your car alone. Carpool, use public transportation, ride your bike or walk. Those who commit to trying other forms of transportation can sign a pledge. Organizers hope those who use alternative forms of transportation during this week will be encouraged to incorporate them more into their daily routines throughout the year.
For a complete list of activities, the Strive Not to Drive pledge form and more information about the event visit: www.blueridgecommute.org and click on Strive Not to Drive.
You and your organization can participate in any of the following ways: