The Press – Enterprise
Hemet-San Jacinto
Local News
Coalition pushes for better bike lanes in Hemet, San Jacinto
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, April 21, 2010
By DIANE A. RHODES
Special to The Press-Enterprise
I never learned how to ride a bike so I never pay much attention to bike lanes and paths along our roads, except to make sure I don't drive in them. But after learning about the push by members of The Green Coalition of San Jacinto Valley to get city leaders to improve or establish them on all our streets I wanted to find out more.
On Saturday, the coalition's Bike Cruise for Bike Lanes will take participants to the streets of Hemet to bring awareness to the current problems. The 9.5-mile route will start at the corner of Juanita Street and Devonshire Avenue (near the Simpson Center) at 9 a.m. and end at Stetson and Sanderson avenues (near Sonic Drive-in) at 12 p.m.
For Jenny Gagnon, who has been riding her bike to work each day for 25 years, the push to improve bike lanes is important. She will be one of the leaders volunteering at Saturday's 9.5-mile Bike Cruise for Bike Lanes
Jenny Gagnon, of San Jacinto,joined the nonprofit organization specifically because of the bike lane issue.
Coalition president Wiggs Mendoza said the purpose of the bike ride is to help cities improve bike lanes for children and other riders.
"I always ride my bike to work," said Gagnon, a teacher at Record Elementary in San Jacinto. "I would love to see protected bike lanes but that is probably too much to ask." A protected bike lane usually has some type of barrier to prevent cars from crossing into it.
For the 25 years that Gagnon has worked for San Jacinto Unified School District, she has ridden her bike to work. Her route is about five miles round trip each day.
"I always felt it was a good thing to do," she said, adding that she has started wearing a reflective safety vest for added security. "This is my exercise. You get out in the fresh air and hear the birds singing - and it forces me to do all my work at school and not take it home with me."
Mendoza said many bike lanes peter out and don't lead to any particular destination, such as local schools or retail areas.
"We are looking at the safety of children which includes a safe environment and safe bike lanes," he said. School districts have discontinued bus service for students who live less than three miles from elementary or five miles from middle and high schools. Parents either have to drive their kids or have them walk or ride bikes.
With participation by families, senior citizens and young children, the bike cruise speed will be kept at a moderate pace by Gagnon to make it a fun ride for all.
It is recommended that riders wear bicycle helmets and comfortable clothing.
Information, 951-929-0854, 909-967-3771 or www.greencoalition-sjv.org
FOOTPRINTS
To celebrate Earth Day today or just to see what you can do to improve the planet on which you live please check out what your carbon footprint is by visiting www.nature.org or www.greencoalition-sjv.org
Reach Diane A. Rhodes at 951-763-3461 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
