- Tempe recreation manager Shawn Wagner, left, joins Patricia Berning, owner of Berning’s Fine Jewelry, and Denise Rentschler, community outreach manager for Tempe, who provided a breakfast stop for bicyclists. — Wrangler News photo by Mark Crudup
Bicyclists riding through south Tempe on Bike to Work Day received a free breakfast at Berning’s Fine Jewelry, along with a chance to share their own bicycling tales with veteran cyclist Patricia Berning.
For almost as long as the event has been in existence, Berning has been among the diehard enthusiasts, this year on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.
The event, sponsored by the city of Tempe, encourages residents to use bicycles as an alternative form of transportation, Berning said.
“We get to talk with some of the independent business owners in the area, as well as share stories for biking vacations and events,” she said.
“It really brings the south Tempe community together.”
Residents on bikes received an assortment of fruit, bagels and organic nutrient bars, provided with a variety of coffees to sip on while visiting with Berning and other south Tempe residents.
“There are a lot of devoted bicyclists in Tempe, and even in the surrounding cities,” said Denise Rentschler, city of Tempe community outreach manager. “We had residents coming to Berning’s all the way from Gilbert; it was a great turnout.”
Berning and city of Tempe representatives also passed out brochures, provided by Valley Metro and Tempe In Motion, with bike safety tips and strategies for sharing the road with motorists.
Berning said she has been providing breakfast for bicyclists on Bike to Work Day for six years, awaking at 5 a.m. to prepare for the two-wheeled extravaganza. This year, she included an Easter egg hunt for kids enjoying breakfast with their families.
“I enjoy doing this event every year,” she said. “It initiates relationships among residents and communities, which is what Tempe is all about.”
Other participating sponsors offering breakfast that morning included Back East Bagels, IKEA, REI, the Center Bistro, Whole Foods Market and Wildflower Bread Co.
For more information on Tempe bike paths, visit www.tempe.gov/tim .
