Rain Dampens Enthusiasm for Bike Commute

Larry Scott often bikes to his job at the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District. So he was happy to participate Thursday in the statewide “California Bike Commute,” an event designed to cut the number of people driving cars to work.

He just didn’t think it would rain.

“I woke up this morning at a quarter to 6 and I couldn’t believe it,” Scott said, staring at the district’s rain-slicked, car-packed parking lot. “My wife said, ‘You’re crazy.’ I said, ‘It’s bike day, and I’m going to ride.’ ”

Others weren’t as bold. In Scott’s office, 14 people agreed to participate in the event, sponsored by the American Lung Assn. and the California Bicycle Coalition. Six actually did.

Countywide, about 25 companies promoted the event among their employees, said Alan Holmes, an account executive with Southern California Rideshare. But the unexpected rain probably doused the enthusiasm of many would-be participants.

“Of course the weather may have knocked it down considerably,” Holmes said. “This is the first rain in May I’ve seen in awhile.”

About 10,000 California commuters participated in the event last year, according to the lung association, and organizers hoped for 25,000 this year.

Although the statewide program focuses on bikes, local organizers also encouraged participants to ride the bus or walk--anything but drive a car. South Coast Area Transit offered 25-cent rides throughout its system, while Camarillo Area Transit let people ride for free.

Terri Thomas walked to the pollution control district Thursday morning, a trip that took about half an hour. Although clean air is the focus of her work as an engineering supervisor at the district, Thomas usually drives to work.

“I’d feel guiltier about getting to work late,” she said.