Sonoma County sheriff’s sergeant named bicycle commuter of the year

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Dave Thompson has been named as the county’s bike commuter of the year. The annual honor, bestowed by the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, comes amid Bike to Work Month and on the eve of Bike to Work Day, which is Thursday. Aid stations will be set up on main cycling routes in the morning offering commuters snacks and other goodies.

Since 2014, Thompson, a 27-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, has been regularly riding his mountain bike the 8 miles between his Windsor home and work. He also volunteers with the coalition’s Safe Routes to School program. “Deputy Dave,” as he is known by his students, became a certified instructor with the League of American Bicyclists in 2012.

In 2015, Thompson was hit by a truck while riding to work, totaling his bike, though he went unhurt. It hasn’t detracted from cycling, which he said he finds a therapeutic relief on the way home from what can often be a hectic job.

Thompson plans to retire from the Sheriff’s Office this summer and is scheduled to take a cross-country road trip with his family. He plans on taking his beloved bicycle with him.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin Fixler at 707-521-5336 or kevin.fixler@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @kfixler.