Invitation to pedal downtown

By Dale Huffman, 

Dayton Daily News

May 21, 2001 -- You should see a lot of bicycles moving toward downtown Dayton on Wednesday morning.

Gary Boulanger will be on one of them as he pedals his way on the commute from Oakwood.

But then Boulanger rides his bike to work every day. He preaches this word: "To ride a bicycle on a regular basis is a boost to your health, your heart and your soul."

You might expect the executive director of the organization called Bike Miami Valley to practice what he preaches. Boulanger does that with zest and leaves little doubt that he is sincere in the efforts.

"At home we choose to own just one vehicle," Boulanger said. "In addition to commuting to work, I attend nearly every meeting by bicycle. My bicycle, the RTA buses and my motorcycle get me where I need to go.

"Besides that," he said. "Oakwood is a wonderful walking community, in a real throwback to the good days."

Over the years, Boulanger has a background in the bicycle industry from a manufacturing, marketing and media perspective. "And as free-lance writer, I have written stories about bicycles and cycling for national publications," he said. "Bicycles have always been a way of life for me and my family."

So it is understandable that he now leads the Bike Miami Valley organization, which is devoted to the promotion and development of safe bicycle programs, trails and facilities in the Miami Valley and southwest Ohio.

The organization was started by the late Horace Huffman Jr. of the Huffy Bicycle Co., who is credited with establishing the ever-growing and improving bike path along the Great Miami River.

As part of the legacy of Huffman’s devotion to keeping biking a viable and safe mode of transportation, Bike Miami Valley is sponsoring the 19th annual Bike-to-Work day Wednesday.

If your destination is downtown Dayton, then you are invited to ride your bike and to enjoy a free early morning pancake breakfast at downtown’s newest destination — RiversScape.  

Supporting the annual bike-in and helping Boulanger serve up the pancakes and sausage to an expected 200 or more devout bikers will be Charlie Shoemaker, who is taking over as director of Five Rivers MetroParks.

I have been invited to help serve and will greet the bikers alongside Mike Robinette, general manager of the Miami Conservancy District, and the others. Dayton Mayor Mike Turner has proclaimed it "Bike to Work Day."

The free breakfast will be served beginning at 6:30 a.m., rain or shine.

"Quite simply the idea is to promote alternative transportation," Boulanger said. "We encourage bike commuters of all skill levels to ride bikes to work in downtown Dayton at all times.

"Wouldn’t it be awesome if more Daytonians accepted bicycles and buses as a good form of transportation? Trips to the grocery, church, post office, shopping center or even social events are sometimes more enjoyable when one takes a bike. Simply said, it is good for the mind, body and soul."

To get information from Bike Miami Valley, a nonprofit organization, the address is www.bikemiamivalley.org or call at 463-2707.

Boulanger said that motorists should be advised that they will encounter more bicyclists than usual Wednesday and are reminded to share the road.

"At the same time," he said, "bicyclists are reminded that they have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and must obey all traffic laws."

If you are a bicycle rider, then pedal on downtown Wednesday and join us at RiverScape park for breakfast as a new day begins.

© Copyright 2001 Cox Interactive Media