When we first heard about Bike to Work Week, Ken and I chuckled a bit talking about pulling the tiny person’s tricycle in from the back porch and riding it from the bedroom to the office – which involves a short, straight hallway and just enough time to pick up speed for an awkward crash.

Just three years ago, our lives in terms of the commute were a bit more daunting.

We lived in a little hamlet just north of San Francsico’s Golden Gate Bridge, cute house, good schools, fantastic neighbours and in a metro area of more than 10 million, wildly close to town without living in San Francisco proper.

I got in the car to drive the 30 minutes north to work in the morning (people used to envy my easy commute) and Ken got on the bus or the ferry to head into San Francisco’s Financial District where he worked for a video games company. His commute - 90 minutes each direction. The commute alone was a major deciding factor in our move back to the Valley.

Since we both now work at home, we’ve been thinking up ways to change our work travel habits even more. So, in celebration of Bike to Work Week 2009, we are having the Bike For Work Week challenge at our house – getting out of the car as much as possible while getting to and from appointments, meetings and running errands this week.

Which brings me to a great point: Bike to Work Week is not only for people who ride to Work.

While you are getting out of your cars and walking, riding your bike, taking public transportation to the office this week, it can also be a great time to get the whole family involved in creative, fun ways to rethink how we get from one place to another.

As a part of that, the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition and the Bike to Work Week Committee are hosting a Bike to The Playground event for kids from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 14. Kids can start (under supervision of their parents) at Simms Park, ride under 5th Street Bridge along the river to the Lewis Centre and get their passport (available at all rec centres, schools and bike shops around town) stamped there. They can do it on any kind of bike or scooter. They can even be pulled in a trailer by mom or dad .

At the end, they can snack on cookies and juice as well as receive a participation ribbon at the playground near the outdoor pool in Lewis Park.

Kids can also spend even more time getting into the spirit this next week (and collecting some cool stamps, always a bonus) by riding to any celebration station or other place where they can get their passport stamped (Any Rec Centre, School, or Bike Shop in the Valley) any day from May 11 to 15.

It’s an awesome way to get the whole family back on the bikes and logging some great family time.

Check out all the details at the Bike To Work Week Comox Valley Website

Meanwhile, the Comox Valley’s Anti-Idol Ambassador Dawn Fizzard leaves us all with some thoughts on inspiring ourselves to give our kids a great way to have fun, get some exercise and create memories while lending a hand in something as adult and obscure to them as climate action through the simple act of riding their bikes or taking a walk this week or any time. Here she is:

How did you get yourself to school as a child?  How does your child get to school?  Ask yourself – why do you drive him or her in your car?

Is there another way? Perhaps a way that gives them fresh air and exercise and freedom to learn and discover life on their own? Perhaps a way that allows you to share the burden of ‘not enough time’?

Children – bottomless sponges that they are – absorb their life lessons from their closest examples.  Do we want them to learn that ‘the easiest way is always the best way – even if it isn’t the right way?

Changes are difficult, they can be stressful and even threatening – does that mean we should deny ourselves or our young people the experience? Make a small change – one that doesn’t seem too onerous or too scary – commit to it because it’s the right thing to do for you and the health and development of your child.

Why do you drive your child to school?

-it’s faster and easier. How is it faster for you to get where you need to be if you have to drive your kids to school? Wouldn’t it be easier- not to drive at all?

-It’s not safe for him/her to go on his/her own. Really? – why not?!  Where does that idea come from?  Where are the facts to back it up? What are you afraid of?

-It gives us time together. It’s fabulous to set aside time to give your child your undivided attention. Driving isn’t really a safe venue.  Why not walk, or take a bus?

-The school bus comes too early, and arrives a half hour before school. That is frustrating. If the parents on that route want to make a change – they have that right. Or, why not coordinate an early morning activity at the school? – something fun the kids can do together.

Coordinating with other parents may take a little of your time; you may have to speak with people you don’t know well, it may need a little flexibility and a willingness to consider others needs: what wonderful examples for your child.

Please turn off your car – take a moment, and breathe… clean, fresh air.