Third-grader selected as 2009 Bike Commuter of the Year

Clay Kaufmann rides daily, rain or shine

Feisty, gutsy, and determined. That’s this year’s Bike Commuter of the Year Clay Kaufmann, a third grader at Dixie School in Lucas Valley. Other bike commuters may log more daily miles, but Clay is totally committed. He and his father Mark are often seen riding their bikes in the neighborhood.

Early in the school year when it became apparent that Clay and Mark had not missed a single day riding the one-and-a-half miles to school, Kel Harris, who spearheads the Safe Routes to School effort in the school district, issued a challenge to Clay: if Clay could ride his bike to school every day through the end of school, Clay would receive a special prize. Clay met that challenge, through good days and bad, including rain and foul weather. Dick Dinkelspiel nominated Clay, and says, “Every day, Clay meets the challenge with a smile on his face, standing for the final sprint along the rolling hills to the school, as though he were on the final stage of the Tour.”

Clay will be honored at the Bike to Work Day end-of-day party from 4-6 PM at Mike’s Bikes of Sausalito on May 14.