Community Corner

Woodstock Man To Participate In Bike To Work Challenge

Carl Wells will join hundreds of bicyclists in an effort to promote a 'greener commute.'

One Woodstock resident will be among hundreds of bicyclists pedaling in an effort to promote a greener way of commuting. 

Carl Wells will participate in the 2012 Bike To Work Challenge next month. It’s the first of its kind of challenge to launch in the metro Atlanta area and Wells said he’s excited to participate.  Wells has been riding his bike to work for years, so participating in the month felt like second nature.

"It helps to reduce the air pollution and it’s great way to get yourself in shape," he said. 

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The challenge is an effort to reduce the number of cars on highways across the region. Those wishing to participate will have time to register through Oct. 5 at the organization’s website.

The initiative is equipped with prizes and those vying in the competition must log the number of miles on the challenge’s website.

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Brian Carr, director of communications for The Clean Air Campaign, said the organization has partnered with various organizations across the metro Atlanta area to organize the challenge.

The challenge, he said, is open to people of all abilities. Participants can also form teams or enter the challenge individually. About 700 bicycle commuters have signed on so far and the goal is to try to reduce the amount of smog emitted from car tail pipes throughout the month of October.

“It’s amazing what you can see when you’re not transfixed on the bumper in front of you,” he said, comparing the differences between commuting by bike and driving to work in a car.

When the Woodstock leaves for work, his route to work takes him through the back roads of northeast Cobb County, traveling on Jamerson Road to Sandy Plains Road and onto Highway 92. He then travels from Highway 92 throughout Roswell onto Hardscrabble Road, Crabapple Road and eventually into Alpharetta to his corporate office.

On his commute home, Wells, a senior programmer analysis with UPS, said he tries to avoid Highway 92 and sticks to the back roads. The trip is about 20 miles each way.

Wells, 50, started biking to work when he lived in Michigan in 1996. He continued the trend when he moved to Indianapolis and later Georgia.

Wells noted bike riding has become a way of life for him.

“To say I’m addicted is mild,” he said. “If I don’t ride my bike, I don’t feel right. You get used to the endorphins.”

Wells has a wife and four children. When he isn’t commuting to work, Wells regularly rides mountain bike trails with his son.

With the metro Atlanta region seeing an average of 20,000 commuter trips by car on a weekly basis, Carr said the challenge should intrigue anyone who wants to cut down on gas expenses, reduce the amount of smog pollution and find a way to incorporate physical activity in their busy routine.

Also, with about half of smog pollution in metro Atlanta stemming from cars, Carr noted the challenge is designed to "get people to think about a greener commute.”

Wells wants to encourages other metro Atlanta bicyclists to leave their cars behind in an effort to collectively reduce smog pollution. Along with serving as a “great way to get yourself in shape,” Wells added bike riding is also a great way to relieve stress.

“It’s also a good way to unwind before and after work,” he said. “If I’m stuck in the car, I’m just as or more tense when I get home. When I’m on my bike, I let my cares go with the wind.”


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