Columbia programs encourage biking

By Elizabeth Trovall
Sept. 5, 2008

Correction appended

From counting carbs to counting cars: A diet recommended by a city wellness organization might not be Atkins, but it does burn calories while cutting car emissions.

This month, the PedNet Coalition is hosting the No-Car Diet Challenge. All of Columbia is encouraged to participate in this month-long vehicle fast where participants abstain from motorized transportation during September.

Any daring citizen can participate simply by filling out the proper paperwork, agreeing to the conditions and posting entries on the No-Car Diet blog.

MU graduate student Nicholas Jacob said he decided he was up to the challenge last year, though it proved more difficult than anticipated.

"Honestly I think it's harder (to participate) as a student," Jacob said. "My life moves a lot faster and I have two jobs. And fetching groceries is never fun on your cycle."

Still, he said his journeys were fairly manageable. The biggest obstacles Jacob said he would face this time around are the visits outside of Columbia.

"This year I need to go to my grandma's 85th birthday in Portland, Mo.," he said. "It will take me about eight hours, and that's one way."

The obvious benefit of such a challenge is the decreased dependence on cars and gasoline. Still, many residents might find the No-Car Diet a little too hardcore. For lightweights, there is Columbia's first Way To Go To Work Month, which begins Friday.

"The program targets everyone who works outside of their home," said Janet Godon, PedNet's outreach coordinator. "We are encouraging people to try new travel options like riding their bike or walking."

Participating in September's Way To Go To Work program requires less diligence than the No-Car Diet, but does encourage participants to sign a "Way to Go" reminder card to set a personal goal of days they plan to commute without motorized assistance.

"Everyone's encouraged to participate even though it is a 'Way To Go To Work,'" Godon said. "We would love to have students participate in our programs like the brown-bag lunch seminars."

Both programs offer community support with a number of benefits.

"We are making people think twice because of gas prices especially," PedNet community programs director Chris Walthall said. "I fill up my car maybe once a month and I don't let it get to the halfway mark. I spend maybe $25 a month on gas."

The less obvious benefit is something more than a thinner waist or extra change in the pocket.

"There's a camaraderie about it," said Walthall. "When it's raining or storming you look up and the only people on their bikes are the other people participating."

If community, weight loss and a sense of accomplishment aren't incentive enough to participate, the winner of the No-Car Diet Challenge receives a VIP pass to the Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ Festival in October.

The original deadline was Sept. 1, but Walthall said she is willing to make exceptions for students who have not ridden in or driven a vehicle so far this month. The challenge is free and registration forms are available online at www.pednet.org and at local bike shops.

The Way To Go To reminder card is available as a printable PDF on the PedNet Web site or at the PedNet office at 101 N. Seventh St. At the end of the month, participants may return their card for a free canvas bag.

Correction: The Sept. 5 report "PedNet programs encourage biking" incorrectly attributed the event Way To Go To Work. The event is a program managed by GetAbout Columbia, which is an initiative of the City of Columbia. (Added 4:34 p.m., September 11, 2008)

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