Bike to Work Day

Celebrating CycleMAYnia

By Leah Etling on May 13, 2012 in News

Yardi employees in Goleta, Calif. are encouraged to join their coworkers in cycling to work on Tuesday, May 15 in celebration of Bike to Work Day.

Tuesday is just one of many events organized in May in celebration of cycling. Those who ride to work can enjoy a free Goleta-wide breakfast sponsored by Yardi in the 430 building parking lot, with tasty treats from the Goodland Kitchen and camaraderie with fellow employees at Yardi, as well as other nearby businesses. Food will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and a bike mechanic from local bike shop VeloPro will also be on hand to address any bike maintenance needs.

A turnout of 75 riders last year is likely to be exceeded in 2012, said Kelly Schmandt, who coordinates the Yardi-hosted Bike to Work Day Goleta breakfast.

“The whole concept of CycleMAYnia is a really fun and interesting idea,” Schmandt said. “It gets people engaged in cycling and off the road with their cars.”

More than 30 dedicated Yardi team members are engaged in a month-long competition in which teams earn points each time someone rides their bike to work, or on another trip that would otherwise have been taken in a car. Two of the Yardi teams, the Rasta Road Rashers and Zen Rabbits, are perennial high finishers who have already racked up many points in this year’s competition. Winners of the Bike Challenge chose a charity to benefit from a cash award in their honor.

The challenge, which motivates riders to skip the convenience of the car for the environmentally friendly, endorphin inducing alternative of pedal power, is a great way to motivate those who might not otherwise want to cycle to work, Schmandt said.

“It’s fun, competitive, healthy, saves money and saves the environment,” she noted. Throw in a free breakfast, and why not dust off your bike for Tuesday’s commute?