USDA employees participated in the annual Ride to Word day. Pictured (l to r): Trevor Long, Denny Skiles, Mark Cox, Danny Petersen, David Grey, John Steer, Jim Conlon, Jose Callejas and Cliff Ruben.
Nearly 6,000 miles of state highway and countless miles of canyon roadways provided a spectacular view for several Salt Lake City FSA employees who took the challenge to reduce their carbon footprint and consume fewer resources per mile by riding motorcycles to work last week.
The annual Ride to Work Day for motorcyclists across the country was held June 18 and employees from the FSA Aerial Photography Field Office and the U.S. Forest Service housed in the West Valley section of Salt Lake City, Utah, took full advantage of the opportunity.
The trek began at 6 a.m. in the outer reaches of the Utah countryside. “It was already 70 degrees, but if you were lucky you could catch a cool breeze off the water as you pass by,” said Denny Skiles, chief, FSA Operations Branch and team organizer.
Skiles said the view is breathtaking but there are other benefits like reducing the carbon footprint, consuming fewer resources per mile than automobiles and taking up less space in parking areas and on roads. “OK, maybe those facts aren’t foremost on your mind but wow, the view is amazing,” said Skiles.
According to the Ride to Work organization’s website, on average about 150,000 motorcyclists participate in the Ride to Work day event, saving 60,000 gallons in gas. If those same motorcyclists rode to work every day, then 15 million gallons of gas would be saved.
The USDA facility in Salt Lake strives to find ways of contributing to a “greener” tomorrow. Besides reducing fuel costs and emissions through these two-wheeled efforts, employees also participate in by using mass transit and participating in telework and recycling programs.
One Response to Utah FSA Employees Bike to Work to Reduce Carbon Footprint