In what looks to be a first for a city in Sonoma County, Windsor is buying bicycles for some of its employees to go about their jobs.
The town recently bought two bikes for its planning department employees to use in their work. Four more bicycles will be ordered for public works employees to use in their duties.
The intent is to cut greenhouse gases.
“If you’re a town employee and riding a bike, you are not riding in a town vehicle and using fossil fuels,” said Planning Director Peter Chamberlin, who’s pedaled short distances to check on project sites. “I enjoy doing it.”
“I did it in heels,” Assistant Town Manager Christa Johnson said of her recent three-mile round trip peddle from town hall to a meeting at the Fire Department.
Like other cities in Sonoma County, Windsor is committed to reducing greenhouse gases in an attempt to address global warming.
The bicycles are one method, along with a commitment to buy hybrid and electric vehicles.
Other cities also have hybrid cars. And Santa Rosa has police officers on downtown bike patrol. But Windsor is taking it a step farther by having rank-and-file employees use bikes when appropriate.
The “Giant” brand bicycles at $700 each were bought at Windsor Bicycle Center in an effort to keep the money in the community.
The rugged street bikes with knobby tires have front and rear carriers, splashguards, dual headlights and tail lights, disc brakes, a bell and odometer.
The city provides helmets.
You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or
clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com
