Parade encourages Pocatellans to bike to work

Take a walk through Pocatello on any given night and you’ll often hear the cars long before you see them. But one man is on a mission to change that.

Kirk Hendricks wants to replace all the cars with bicycles.

He’s already made the transition himself. For the last 20 years, he’s rode his bike to work rain, snow or shine.

“I could leave this spot right here and be around a lot of places in 10 minutes. And I don’t have to fight with a parking spot,” said Hendricks.

Hendricks wants others to join him, and Friday evening, some did – if only briefly.

Cyclists took part in the Portneuf Valley Bike to Work Parade through the streets of Old Town. This is the parade’s 15th year.

“We just missed it the other years so we wanted to bring our old bikes out and ride them around today,” said Mark Stenberg, who rode in Friday’s parade.

“It’s invigorating to get out and ride your bike. It saves resources. It’s good mentally and physically,” said Sarah Jackson.

Hendricks hopes the parade will introduce more Pocatellans to the concept of riding bicycles to work.

“Cycling gives just like a sense of freedom you don’t necessarily have in your car. You’re quick to move around. You can get out of the street, you can get in the street,” said Connor Erb.