Biking

"I am not a speed bump" is a fitting title for a speech given at Toastmaster's recently by Dan Hinderliter, VDOT budget director. Hinderliter rides his bike to work every day and has been hit by motorists twice. But that has not deterred him.

Hinderliter, 38, leaves his Northside home in Richmond every morning around 6:30 a.m. and gets to work between 7 and 7:15. He selects a suit and tie that has been dry cleaned and is waiting for him in his office, jumps in the shower in [VDOT's] Old Highway Building, and is sitting at his desk by 7:30.

When he isn't biking to work, he's running. It's a five to six-mile commute. He bikes or runs in the snow, in the rain, in the dark. The elements are not a consideration. He drives his car only if he has an appointment right after work.

"I was getting busier and busier, and had less time to fit in a work out," Hinderliter said. "I saw the benefit of biking exercise-wise, and for the environment and my wallet."

Hinderliter's speech highlighted bicycle safety and awareness. He wears a bright, reflective white helmet, has a red flashing light on the back of the backpack, and has halogen lights on the front of his bike.

"I wish more people bicycled to and from work so they could experience the benefits, Hinderliter said. "I used to arm wrestle another bicyclist to be the first in the shower, but that person left VDOT. There are also showers in the basement of [VDOT's] Hospital Building, so more people could do it."

Click here for info on VDOT's Bicycling and Pedestrian Program