2012 Bike to Work Day

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John Saphier and Barb Harman visit at the Bassett Medical Center check-in station while Diann Fischer registers after her walk to work from the Clark Sports Center.

COOPERSTOWN, NY (05/26/2012)(readMedia)-- Last week's Bike to Work Day proved to be a bit of a guessing game, as riders and walkers contended with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms.

"When my husband, Paul, and I headed home at 4:15 p.m., the weather was threatening. There was a light rain in Cooperstown but the Weather Channel radar proved to be good guidance, because the storms missed us to the northwest," Bike to Work Day Coordinator Martha Clarvoe said.

Inclement weather may have been a concern, but it didn't stop 341 participants from biking or walking a combined 738 miles in this, the Otsego Regional Cycling Advocate's fourth annual event. Last year's numbers were comparable, at 344 registrants. Clarvoe was pleased with the turn out.

New check-in points for 2012 included Greater Plains Elementary School, Health Links@FoxCare of Oneonta, and Otsego County, with two locations – the Otsego County office building in Cooperstown and the Otsego County Health Department at the Meadows Office Complex.

"We also worked with Karen Vagliardo, founder of Jason's Run, to sponsor the First Alert Sticker & Safety Card Program, which provides decals for the outside of helmets and information cards for the inside, in case of emergency. These were given out at all 25 check-in locations," Clarvoe said.

"Cloth Bike to Work Day banners were displayed this year at all check-in sites. The banners, made of reused fabric, were created under the direction of Julie Barnes by the residents of Woodside Hall. These banners really helped get the message out in a creative and sustainable way!" she said.

This year's generous Bike to Work Day sponsors were Cooperstown Preschool, Integrative Structural Therapies of Springfield Center, New York Pizzeria, Origins Café and Paceline Sports Cycling Team.

"We received a fabulous donation of 60 reflective bands from the New York Bicycling Coalition and also reflective slap bracelets and very informative bookmarks from Safe Kids of Otsego County," said Clarvoe.

The check-in sites and volunteer coordinators were: Bassett Medical Center, John Saphier, Tom Hohensee and Diane Wells; Clark Sports Center, Jean and John Finch and Dion Wade; Cooperstown Elementary School, Dottie Hudson and Rich McCaffery; Cooperstown Middle/High School, Dennis Savoie; Edmeston Central School, Joann Salo; A.O. Fox Hospital, Eric Benjamin; FoxCare Center/Health Links, Ryan Scott; Greater Plains Elementary School, Julie McKee; Laurens Central School, Danny Martin; Kim Muller Plaza, Keith Bott; Milford Central School, Michael Miller; New York State Historical Association, William Walker; Oneonta Middle/High School, Deb Dalton and Charlotte McKane; Opportunities for Otsego, Melissa Bissell; Otsego County Health Department, Peggy Benjamin; Pathfinder Village, Paul Landers; Prudential Fox Properties, Maria Adeline Graham; Richfield Springs Central School, Nancy Potter; Riverside Elementary School, Melinda Murdock; Sidney Federal Credit Union, Patricia Kenik; Springbrook Campus, Kira DeLanoy; SUNY-Oneonta, Melissa Nicosia; and Valley View Elementary School, Nan and Sandra Moxley.

"ORCA thanks everyone who participated and staffed a check-in site," Clarvoe said. "Without their help, this event would not have been possible.

"Best wishes to all this biking and walking season. Remember – it's never too late to switch your ride from car to bike, or to add walking to your daily commute. Hope to see you out there riding safely and sharing the road with cars, pedestrians and bicyclists," Clarvoe added.

Winners of the tree and blueberry bush raffle will be called with details on how to pick up their prize.

ORCA is a committee of the Otsego County Conservation Association. Its mission is to promote bicycling and walking in the Otsego County region as an enjoyable, healthy, safe, and environmentally friendly activity for people of all ages and abilities. For more information, visit www.occainfo.org/ORCA.htm .