Local : Recreation
Zach Hilton
Zach Hilton is a Firefirghter / Paramedic for the Oakland Fire Department , a City of Gilroy Councilmember , husband , dad , avid bicyclist and health enthusiast . Follow him at :
zachhiltonca . blogspot . com .
Bike
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Take the Gilroy Bike Pledge
Celebrate Your Freedom to Ride !
Have you taken the Gilroy Bike Pledge ? Across Gilroy , there is a renewed interest in cycling for recreation and transportation . Whether you ’ ve been cycling for years or just started recently , you ’ re invited to sign the Gilroy Bike Pledge and declare your dedication to cycling . Ride Gilroy encourages Gilroy residents of all ages and abilities to ride their bikes often . The many benefits of cycling for individuals and communities are well documented , including : Improved physical , mental , and emotional health ; cleaner air and reduced noise pollution ; more vibrant and welcoming communities .
Here ’ s the pledge :
“ I hereby take the Gilroy Bike Pledge as a promise to ride my bike often and do my part to keep our roads and trails safe for all . By taking this pledge , I agree to : Bike to destinations whenever possible , especially those close to home . Abide by traffic laws when cycling on roads . Obey trail etiquette guidelines when cycling on trails . Respect pedestrians , motorists , other trail users , and fellow cyclists . Bike Safety Tips to increase my safety and the safety of others . I willingly make this commitment to promote the many benefits of cycling within my community and to encourage friends , family , neighbors , and co-workers to ride their bikes often for both recreation and transportation .”
When my family and I took the bike pledge , we changed our habits in the following ways : Before each ride we check for air in our tires , that our brakes work properly , and that our chains are oiled . As we roll out of our garage into the bike lane with the sun at our backs , 3rd Street takes us directly into downtown Gilroy where we lock the bikes up at 6th and Monterey and walk a few steps to Promised Land Brewery . The large glass windows increase the walkability by making it inviting to passersby . You can see directly into the taproom in downtown Gilroy while driving , walking , scooting , or biking . There are over 100 front row bike parking spots , so there ’ s very little reason not to leave the car at home , stay local , and ride to your favorite hangout .
Taking the bike pledge allows you to celebrate many aspects of this time of year in Gilroy . The first is early morning sunrises . Then there ’ s the temperate weather--crisp Pacific Ocean fog rolls in from Santa Cruz most evenings and cools off the hills and valleys around us , which allows you to enjoy your ride early . This is a great time of year to try biking to work , taking Caltrain , and VTA . From April to October I switch up my commute by driving part-way to the firehouse in Oakland and riding my bike the rest .
Those who have taken the bike pledge have something else to look forward to : an adventure park in Gilroy .
This unique site will offer downhill mountain biking and travelling surf waves , with the potential to draw visitors from across the U . S . and internationally . Currently , for Californians , mountain recreation is a four-to sixhour drive inland and ocean recreation is one-to-three hours to the coast . The adventure park will offer similar downhill mountain biking and a safer surfing and beach experience all in one place and closer to the Bay Area population base . This will position Gilroy “ as the center for outdoor recreation and adventure sports .” according to language in the City ’ s proposal . The public will be included in the entire process , so check out the City of Gilroy website regularly .
The park is still in the works as the City studies the plan and determines whether it is suitable for moving forward .
The City of Gilroy is a recreation destination community by resolution . Community outreach and input will be part of the planning process and I urge you to get engaged if you have concerns . Attend forums and City Council sessions with an open mind . Recreation amenities help give our families things to do and promote health and wellness . Recreation amenities offer good jobs at all levels . Any partnership developments in Gilroy will address concerns around the environment , traffic or noise impacts .
We are actively advancing ideas and projects that promote the concept of free-range people in the City of Gilroy . We advocate for building and planning that considers future generations as well as current residents who don ’ t own cars . Advancing mobility options reflects what we are teaching the youth in our community through Safe Routes to School and why we are nationally recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists , as well as recognized by the World Health Organization as an Age-Friendly Community . The City of Gilroy is a Complete Streets community by resolution . If you haven ’ t taken the pledge yet , you still can !
See you on the road . SUMMER 2021 gmhTODAY Magazine gmhtoday . com