Erlanger Health System bicycle commuters now have the opportunity to ride their bikes to work and park them in the Erlanger Baroness Campus parking garage.
Tamas Dolinay, M.D., is a first year internal medicine resident with University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga. He came to Chattanooga without a vehicle and only had a bike for transportation. In fact, his bike has traveled with him to Europe, Asia, and other areas in North America in the last eight years.
“I love to ride,” daid Dr. Dolinay. “You are riding on two wheels out in the open air, and you can really get a different perspective of the road on a bike.”
Riding to work seemed to be the best option for Dr. Dolinay. Instead of storing the bike in an office at the hospital, he can now park and secure it with the "four-wheelers" on the green physician parking level in the garage next to the elevator.
"The bike rack is in the number one premiere parking spot," said Dr. Dolinay.
The green parking level is an appropriate name for this prime location. Dr. Dolinay knows he is saving money and helping the environment. Not only is Dr. Dolinay doing his part for the environment he also says it is an added benefit for his health. Riding four miles round-trip from his home is the only time he can work out during the day.
The new bike rack at Erlanger is another example of businesses working with employees to support their desire to use bicycles as a means of transportation.
“Providing end-of-trip infrastructure is critical to providing multi-modal transportation opportunities,” said Outdoor Chattanooga Bicycle Coordinator Philip Pugliese. “Bicycle commuting is a healthy, active and environmentally friendly transportation mode. Combined with public transit (all CARTA buses have bicycle racks), it is quite easy to navigate the city and expand your bicycle commuting range.”
The one rack can hold eight bikes, but the idea does not limit it to only eight spaces. If there is enough interest and support, Erlanger could add more racks, not only for physicians and staff, but also for guests.
Outdoor Chattanooga coordinates a group called Bike2Work. Bike commuters and those who are thinking about pedaling to work or school are welcome to attend a free breakfast and coffee the first Friday of every month from 7-8:30 a.m. From May until October, they meet at the south end of the Walnut Street Bridge. The location changes to the Outdoor Chattanooga office in Coolidge Park from November through April. For more information, contact Outdoor Chattanooga by calling 423 643-6888 or e-mailing minya@outdoorchattanoga.com.