Wright on a Bike Wins Commute Challenge

Biking wins. Easily.

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling chairman Bruce Wright, Del. Ken Plum and president Kathleen Driscoll McKee took part in the Commute Challenge Monday morning.

They all left their neighborhood in south Reston about 8:15 a.m. to see who would arrive at the Reston Town Center pavilion the fastest.

Wright got there first, pulling in after 13 minutes. He wheeled past Plum, driving his red Toyota Prius, on the way. Plum parked in one of the garages and arrived in 19 minutes. Driscoll McKee's commute took the longest. She joined the others at the pavilion after 52 minutes.

"We're doing this to show there are other modes of transportation besides single-passenger vehicles," said Wright. The challenge was to raise awareness for Bike to Work Day on May 20.

The commuters were met at the town center by Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins. Hudgins pointed out that Driscoll McKee's lengthy ride underscores the need for efficient local public transportation, particularly as the Metro station prepares to open at Wiehle Avenue in 2013.

"We are fortunate to have internal transportation here in Reston," she said. "Unfortunately, it is not really good public transportation. One of the things we have to if we want people to use public transportation is to invest in the infrastructure. It would be good if we can go that before the Metro comes to town."