Ines is a woman on the go, with her bike in tow! Check out Ines submission for the Bike to Work Week Weekly Challenge.

What my bike means to me? For me my bike means freedom.  There is nothing that compares to being able to use my bike for commuting everywhere I go around Ann Arbor.  It also gives me a sense of independence and accomplishment.  I always carry 2 bike bags and it is amazing how much I can carry with me, especially when I stop to get groceries or dinner on my way home. It only takes a little bit of planning, as I have found out, and I rarely need the car.  Also, biking is so much more peaceful than driving.  I’m enjoying finding new routes to go to/from work, and especially enjoy biking through campus.  I’m thankful to the Commuter Challenge for inspiring me, yet one more year, to participate in the Challenge and to enjoy the freedom of bike commuting.

Ines – US, EPA

Neil commutes into work on his bicycle to reduce his carbon footprint, while getting some exercise and enjoying nature’s beauty. Doesn’t sound like too shabby of a commute to us! Read what Neil has to say in his Me and My Bike submission.

My bike is one of my most valuable possessions. It is a great way for me to get some exercise and reduce my carbon foot print. It allows me to avoid the hassle of parking and the rising cost of gas.  So far this week the weather has been great for biking to work!  It also allow me to enjoy the great outdoors – so far I have seen two deer, a rabbit, and lots of different birds (cardinals, robins, Canadian geese, etc.) on my commute route this week. Ann Arbor is a very bike friendly place to commute so get out there a bike – go Blue!

Neil – University of Michigan

Our first Weekly Challenge submission comes from Leah, who being the thrifty and green-minded commuter she is, found her bike hanging out in the dumpster behind her apartment! See what Leah has to say about her commuting life post dumpster dive.

I got my used bike in a dumpster behind my apartment in Kerrytown about a year ago. While I have a car and am able to walk to most places in Ann Arbor, owning this bike has truly enhanced my day-to-day life. Not only does it get me places quickly, but weekend bike rides around Ann Arbor are the best. This picture is of me locking up near Wave Field on North Campus. It was a leisurely ride and somewhere I wouldn’t have gone if it weren’t for my bike. My favorite attribute about my bike, however, is that it gets me in the door at work faster than any other mode of transportation. While driving my car is quick, parking in the parking structure near my office is a pain and it can take me 5-10 minutes just to find a spot. Alternatively, I’m able to ride my bike nearly as fast as a car (due to traffic and speed limits) and park on a bike rack just outside my building. Thanks to my bike, I never have an excuse to be late!

Leah

Thanks for sharing, Leah! Pretty impressive tale.

Do you love commuting on your bike? Are you new to bike commuting, and want to share your story? Check out the Bike to Work Week Weekly Challenge and tell us your story!

Send us a photo of you and your commuter bike hanging out, biking to work, etc. Tell us what your bike means to you. If we post your story on our blog, you’ll receive a getDowntown Bike Light and a chance to win one of (5) $50 gift certificates from a local bike shop of your choice!

Me and My Bike (May 13-19)

Sponsored by Common Cycle

Send us a photo of you and your commuter bike hanging out, biking to work, etc.  Tell us what your bike means to you.  If we post your story on our blog, you’ll receive a getDowntown Bike Light and chance to win one of 5 $50 gift certificates from a local bike shop of your choice.  Send your pics and words to info@getdowntown.org.

The 2012 Commuter Challenge is off to a great start, with almost 300 organizations signed up to participate! Here are the leading organizations in each challenge category:

• 1 Person Organization: Self-Employed
• 2-10 Person Organization: Dascola Barbers
• 11-25 Person Organization: Clean Energy Coalition
• 26-50 Person Organization: MyBuys
• 51-100 Person Organization: Washtenaw Friend of the Court
• 101-500 Person Organization: Infor Global Solutions
• 500+ Person Organization: UM School of Public Health

Check out where your organization stands and keep logging those sustainable commutes to bring your workplace to the top of the list!

We’ve got a couple more lovely bike poems to share! We’re going to give away some custom Common Cycle spoke cards to these folks!

This one is from Linda Diane:

Here is a Love poem to my bike I wrote a very long time ago.

At the time it was a Motobecan. This was after a day biking out to the Botanical Gardens along Dixboro Road.

_________________

Motion

Churn of the pedals
Brings warmth
Sun patch
And cloud
Breeze by the shade

Wind caught hair
Now bend to foil
The resistant air
And behind me
The undercurrent
To my fantasy

Silent motion
Then hum
The tool I tuned
And know each note
Pitch and vibration

All senses
In motion
All time
In motion
All emotion
Moves

May 1979

We are honoring V-Day this year by asking folks to write love poems to their bikes.  If we post your poem, you’ll be entered to win one of 5 custom spoke cards from Common Cycle!

Here’s our first poem of the day, from Brett:

Dear Bicycle,

My cheeks are a rosy red

My lips a powdery blue

This winter I chose you

She’s fun, likes long rides in the country and doesn’t care about chocolate and roses.

This Valentine’s Day, show your bike some love with a custom spoke card from Common Cycle!

Common Cycle is  nonprofit that empowers people to ride bikes.  They’re also a bunch of creative cats that made some lovely spoke cards in honor of V-day.

We’ve got 5 specially designed spoke cards to give away and here’s what you can do to get one:

Write a love poem to your bike and send it to info@getdowntown.org along with your name.   We’ll post the ones we like on our blog and/or Facebook Page all V-day long.  If we post your poem, you’ll automatically be entered into a drawing to win one of the fabulous spoke cards pictured above.  We’ll announce the winners on Weds.

Here’s a sample poem, in case you need some inspiration:

I like my bike, that much is true
But sometimes, bike, I love you, too
I love your speed, I love your gears
You’ve been with me through sweat and tears
You get me where I want to go
Oh bike, my bike, I love you so!

Now get to work!

Want to make Ann Arbor a safer, more comfortable place to walk and bicycle?

Attend this meeting and contribute your part in the City’s 5-year update to its Non-Motorized Plan, which will set priorities for improved bike lanes, trails. crosswalks, and more over the next 5 years!

Two sessions are happening today, Wednesday, February 8, 3-4:30 pm and 6-7:30 pm.

Both are in Council Chambers, floor 2 of City Hall, 100 N. Fifth Avenue.