Capitol Day: Pair plans to bicycle from Kansas City to Jefferson City

Corinna West on a bicycle trip; photo courtesy Corinna West
Corinna West on a bicycle trip; photo courtesy Corinna West
Bicycle Advocates Braving Winter Conditions to Ride to Jefferson City to Speak with their Representatives at the Capitol

Brian Gallmeyer and Corinna West, from Kansas City North, will be making the 162 mile trip to Jefferson City for Bicycle and Pedestrian Day at the Capitol without using any motorized transportation.

Gallmeyer and West  are riding their bicycles from Kansas City, MO to Jefferson City, MO, to advocate for better transportation choices in the state of Missouri.

They will arrive in time to meet with their legislators at Bicycle and Pedestrian Day at the Capitol, organized by the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation.

According to the League of American Bicyclists, 50% of Americans live within five miles of work. Forty percent of all trips taken by people are less than two miles, with 28% under a mile.

"That is easy bicycling distance for just about anybody," says Brent Hugh, Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation.

"It's better to make a trip like this by bicycle," says Gallmeyer. "That way you can see more scenery and have more interactions along the way. People are more willing to talk to and help people on bicycles."

The pair have already made four long trips this year for work purposes. This summer they rode to Wichita KS, and the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri for work conferences at which West was a presenter. Part of her job is sharing information about recovery from mental illness using first hand experience. She also uses the bicycle riding to spread the word about the importance of linking physical wellness with mental wellness.

People with serious mental illness have a 25 year lower life expectancy than people without a diagnosis, mostly due to preventable physical illnesses like diabetes, stroke, infections, and heart disease. “Bicycling is my personal medicine,” says West. “It is both why I want to stay well and what I do for myself to stay well.” West has ridden more miles on her bicycle than she has traveled in her car for both of the last two years. Gallmeyer doesn't even own a vehicle.

Previous bicycle trips

This fall the pair rode to McLouth, KS, (near Tonganoxie) and to Omaha, NE, also for work gatherings. West was partly funded by Arts KC for the Omaha trip to attend a conference using peer support along with art to help people with mental illnesses.  “We are ready to extend our traveling into the winter season,” says West. “If the homeless people can live every day in this kind of weather, without good food or health care, then certainly we can do it for the three day ride.” The pair will be camping along the way.

Cycling and walking for transportation reduces stress, improves obesity, and also puts people more in touch with their local communities.  According to the Missouri Bicycle Federation, 31% of the Missouri population doesn't have a drivers license, and 8.2% of the households in Missouri are zero car households. More and more senior citizens are starting to be represented in this group.

"Transportation is often one of the biggest hurdles for people with disabilities," says West.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Day at the Capitol February 16th

Bicycle and Pedestrian Day at the Capitol will bring about a hundred bicyclists, pedestrians, trails advocates, and disabilities advocates to Jefferson City to have person meetings with elected officials.

Participants support initiatives like Complete Streets, laws to improve road safety, the new law against texting while driving, laws to encourage building of trails, and appropriate funding for bicycle, pedestrian, and trails facilities. 

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