Bike Friendly Awards

Congratulations to the 2009 Regional Bike-Friendly Award winners!!

Bike-Friendly Employer of the Year: Mercy General Hospital

Mercy General Hospital has a Commuter Options Program that helps it be environmentally-friendly and reduce its carbon footprint. In 2008, the program resulted in 5,600 commuting trips reduced, and 48,000 miles of those commute trips were by bicycle rather than motor vehicles.

In the parking garage, the hospital has set up a free bike shop with tools and an air pump for employees who need help with minor repairs on site.

Mercy’s Cycling Club organizes free Fun Rides on weekends for employees, their family and friends. On October 24th, Mercy General Hospital will celebrate its 3rd Fall Classic, a bicycling event open to the public, on the American River Parkway.

Bicycling Advocate of the Year: Bob Smart

For years Bob Smart has attended EDCTC meetings, County Board of Supervisors meetings, and SACOG bike/pedestrian advisory committee meetings to elevate non-motorized issues. He has participated in the development of a number of bicycle plans as a member of the local bicycle advisory committee.

Bob has dedicated a great portion of his time to securing funding, promoting development, and creating awareness for cycling in El Dorado County. His humble attitude and devotion to his community is unparalleled. The county will be a better place for bicyclists in large part due to the efforts of this cycling advocate.

Cyclist of the Year: Ron Kampling

Ron Kampling started as a part time, part way cyclist and has evolved into a full time complete trip cyclist and is now the regional leader for most trip reduction miles during Bike Month.

Ron sets the example as well as helps and encourages his co-workers to start bicycling to work. At his worksite, he is responsible for establishing bike lockers, lockable storage for employees’ bikes, and employee showers. He has arranged for his employer to sponsor bicycling events and be a steward of part of the American River Parkway. He has also helped to establish a work Cycling Club which helps develops camaraderie among employees, and their family and friends.

Corey Hawkins got involved in advocacy last year by lobbying the local County Board of Supervisors to make changes to some of the county’s rural roads so he and his fellow students could bike to school.

As a member of the El Dorado County Youth Commission, Corey coordinated other high school students to create and produce a Safe Cycling video in partnership with EDCTC and the 50 Corridor TMA.

This month, he helped to put on a Bike Summit which had approximately 20 kids out on a short bike tour led by another local advocate. Once they arrived at their destination, he had arranged for snacks, exhibits and speakers from the American River Conservancy and the local transportation planning agency.

Bicycle Program of the Year: Ed Cox, Bike Valet Parking

For 15 years, Ed Cox has managed the bike valet parking, lined up crews and maintained the compound, all on his own time. He has a bicycle trailer that he loads with hundreds of pounds of fencing, racks and gear which makes this the only bike valet program that is 100% bike powered. More than 5,000 bikes are parked at more than 30 events each year, from downtown concerts at Cesar Chavez Plaza to the Salmon Festival along the American River to the air shows in Rancho Cordova. Best of all, the service is free.

As a result of the valet bicycle parking, more people are bicycling to events. When people realize it is not only possible but easy to bicycle to events, they continue the practice and use their bicycle instead of their car for other trips.