Recognizing the positive impacts of cycling on personal health, the environment and reduced road congestion, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is aggressively working to support and encourage cycling in Las Vegas. In fact, RTC General Manager Jacob Snow leads this initiative by example. He often cycles to and from work - logging more than 30 commute miles per trip. He also rides for leisure with his family and friends across Southern Nevada roadways and on select trails.

The RTC announced plans to install bike lanes downtown in the area surrounding the new Bonneville Transit Center (BTC), located on the corner of Casino Center Boulevard and Bonneville Avenue. These bike lanes include areas along Third, Sixth and Garces streets.  In addition to the bike lanes, the BTC features a newly opened state-of-the-art bike center. The RTC Bike Center is an indoor, supervised facility that includes an on-site bicycle mechanic, parking and storage for up to 75 bikes at a time, as well as showers for cyclists enrolled in the program. The RTC Bike Center is open daily from 5am to 9pm. There is an annual membership registration cost of $20 per person that includes $15 in parking preloaded on a smart card. Usage costs are three cents per hour from 9am to 6pm and one cent per hour all other times. 

The new bike center is just one of many improvements that are making it safer to bike and to walk in downtown. 

"The RTC and the city of Las Vegas are also investing in bike lanes, sidewalk and landscape improvements, and enhanced lighting downtown," said Jacob Snow, RTC general manager. "These amenities will make it even more convenient to bike, walk and to access transit service to The Smith Center, the new City Hall, and the shops, restaurants and galleries downtown."

RTC SPRING BIKE EVENTS
If you are a commuter or leisure cyclist and want more information about bicycling in Southern Nevada, the RTC will be hosting open house events on April 26-28, from 11am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm at the RTC Bike Center located at the Bonneville Transit Center, 101 Bonneville Ave. Take a tour of the RTC Bike Center, learn more about cycling and riding transit in Southern Nevada; receive a free bicycle tune-up; get access to use the RTC Bike Center free for 30-days with a $5 registration fee after the trial period. There will be free refreshments, giveaways and you will automatically be entered to win a Red Rock cycling vacation package.

For more information, visit www.rtcsouthernnevada.com

Photo:Jacob Snow, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada