In recognition of National Fitness Month, May 2011, members of U.S. Africa Command on Kelley Barracks, are participating in "Bike to Work Week" and taking advantage of this healthy and sustainable form of transportation. The event is part of the U.S. Army's Strong Bands Program, an all Armies Sports Program and is aimed to encourage people to ride their bikes to work while educating people on bicycle awareness and safety.

"We're taking advantage of the attention to advocate for bicycling, but ultimately this isn't a bully pulpit for all the great benefits--folks will draw their own conclusions when they realize they're passing crawling traffic on the fabled autobahns," said J. Mark "Hap" Harlow, the event organizer.

Organizers have set up a tent where they meet with riders every morning offering grab-and-go snacks and providing information on local bicycle resources and tips, as well as bicycle routes. While at the tent, garage mechanics are prepared to do ad-hoc maintenance for those bikes in need of a quick repair. There are even lunch-time seminars which address such questions as: How can I get started? What type of bike do I need? What are the practical aspects of bicycle commuting?

"Bicycling offers a wonderful way to see the 'hidden jewels' of Europe--the small village nestled deep in the Black Forest, winding cobblestone paths through a medieval city and twisting vineyard trails above the river valley," says Harlow.

In addition to reducing traffic congestion, reducing carbon emissions, and reducing parking problems, which has always been a major concern on Kelley Barracks, bicycling offers tremendous fitness benefits. One bicycle advocacy group, BikesBelong, reports that adults who bike to work have better weight, blood pressure, and insulin levels. Cycling also reduces stress. The report states that women who bike 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. And importantly, kids who bicycle are 48% less likely to be overweight as adults.

Harlow says that he hopes this event will demonstrate to Command Leadership the size of the cycling community in order to advocate for bicycle community bicycle services like covered parking, cleaning stations and air pumps.

It is estimated that 75-125 people are commuting by bike to Kelley Barracks each day, good weather permitting.

"One of our goals is to double those numbers," said Harlow, "but it takes not only awareness and commitment, but infrastructure and support, things like showers in the workspaces, overnight lockers at the gyms, covered bike ports--none of which are costly but which can provide tremendous benefits to the community."

The event ends on May 20th with a group ride to the historic city of Tubingen.