Over the Wire - Media Buzz About Today

Looks like the media is all atwitter (like excited, not socially networking in 140 character increments) about all of us cranking around the city (and state, as Ft. Wayne got some press) this morning.

First off, a story from theindychannel.com, featuring my good friend, Anna Schwinn:

INDIANAPOLIS -- It was a brisk, but dry morning Friday as hundreds of cyclists headed out for Indianapolis' sixth annual Bike To Work Day, in conjunction with a long-running effort nationwide.

Most are involved in the effort to either promote physical fitness, a cleaner environment or both, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

Cyclists said they want everyone to see that biking to work is a fun, easy and healthy approach to commuting. ...

"Right now, it's nice because in the morning, it wakes me up," said cyclist Anna Schwinn. "When I ride home at the end of the day, I just feel better when I get home. I'm in a better mood."

Full story here. Video on the site; just click the link.

From WTHR:

Indianapolis - Bikers hit the trail Friday for National Bike to Work Day. It coincides with the city's plans to create safer bike trails and lanes for cyclists. It's National Bicycle Month, and there are two events in Indiana to raise awareness and get Hoosiers involved. National Bike to Work Day got started early, and ended with a celebration at Monument Circle.

Last year on Bike to Work Day, 500 Hoosiers participated. That was 100 more people than the year before. High gas prices encouraged many Hoosiers to change their transportation habits, and for every gallon of gasoline saved, you reduce 19 pounds of CO2 in the air.

Full story here. Video here.

Some news from Ft. Wayne:

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - You may have seen a few more bikes on the road this morning. Scores of Fort Wayne residents participated in bike to work day.

The mayor's office offered free bagels and coffee to anyone who stopped by the City-County Building this morning and dozens of bike riders showed up.

Mayor Tom Henry thanked everyone for riding in, and says he hopes the event will only get bigger as more bike paths are built.

Full story here. Video here.

After the Break

So, we obviously took a bit of a hiatus for the holiday weekend, and now we're getting back in the groove with the already posted contest, and now a bit of events and news. Here goes:

Bike Maintenance Workshop at Invoke
From Chris Hartley, the workshop coordinator:

I'm going to be leading a bike fixin' workshop at Invoke Yoga Studio downtown on Friday the 17th from 5:45 to 7:15pm. The workshop is part of a Go Green series that is by donation (free if you want) rather than a fixed price. I'm not getting paid so I certainly won't give anyone the evil eye for not donating.

The workshop is geared towards beginners, and I especially want it to be accessible to people who are intimidated by or just don't have a lot of experience working on mechanical things. A small amount of fix-it knowledge can be really empowering when it comes to bikes.I plan on doing a hands-on demonstration of changing a flat, lubricating the drive train, and adjusting shifting and brakes.

Again, that's Friday April 17th from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m at the Invoke Yoga Studio, 970 Fort Wayne Ave downtown.

More info here.

Hot on the trail: State chugging along toward goal of building 2,200 miles of greenways
A little IndyStar sound off about progress on the Monon and other greenways and trails around the state:

When Westfield officially opens a 1.5-mile section of the Monon Trail in June, Indiana will be that much closer to establishing 2,200 miles of greenways, trails and bike paths.

There are only 1,848.5 more miles to go.

That's the plan laid out in "Hoosiers on the Move: The Indiana State Trails, Greenways and Bikeways Plan,'' a blueprint developed during Gov. Mitch Daniels's first administration.

Full story here.

From the Mayors Office: Cultural Trail Northeast Corridor Groundbreaking and Neighborhood Celebration
At 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, April 14th), there's a bit of a shindig in the alley behind the Chatham Tap and Scholar’s Inn (between Mass Ave. and College Ave.) to celebrate the beginning of this new installment of the Cultural Trail.