I started the day today in beautiful Midtown Omaha with a healthy crowd of fellow bike commuters. The mayor hosted a press conference and a bike ride to announce several new initiatives for the city.

The event started with a tour of the Omaha Community Bike Shop, followed by a brief speech where the mayor announced a new 20 mile bike loop project in downtown, the formation of a Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the kick-off for the 3rd Annual Omaha Metro Bicycle Commuter Challenge (which Harvest designed the graphics and brochures for), and the start of National Bike to Work Week.

The ride rolled out with probably over a hundred cyclists. Our convoy was fully escorted by police in cars and on bikes or motorcycles. For one day of the year, cars were forced to completely concede the roads to bikes. Once we arrived at the river we took a moment to discuss the nearly completed pedestrian bridge that will link Nebraska and Iowa. The bridge will open up endless cross-border fitness and commuter options.

Thanks to everyone who put time into promoting this event. It is great to see such civic support to changing the way our city views transportation alternatives.

Tags: alternative transportation, bicycles, Omaha, pedestrian bridge