'Green' firefighters spend daily commute cycling

By: DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer
Benefits include exercise, avoiding traffic | Saturday, March 8, 2008 1:35 AM PST ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- Staying fit, avoiding traffic congestion and "saving the planet" are among the reasons why two longtime Escondido firefighters regularly ride their bicycles to work.

"If you don't make your workout part of your daily routine, then it usually doesn't happen," said Capt. Roberto Gutierrez, a 1982 graduate of San Pasqual High School who joined the Escondido Fire Department in 1988. "I'm kind of a health geek."

Fire Engineer Steve Colford said his offbeat approach to commuting is less about exercise and more about avoiding the city's clogged streets.

"All of our fire stations are in school zones, which are always congested when I am headed in for an 8 a.m. shift," said Colford, who joined the department 27 years ago. "It's so frustrating when it takes half an hour to get through town."

Gutierrez agreed.

"I'm always amazed when I look at the faces of the drivers stuck in traffic waiting to get on the congested freeway and head south," he said.

The men, who are friends and sometimes bike together on weekends, said their profession provides a unique opportunity for biking to work.

"It's perfect because we have a shower facility at the station and we change into our uniforms when we get there," said Gutierrez.

The air in Escondido is a bit cleaner than it would be if both men had driven cars to work during their long careers, but they said protecting the environment is only a small part of why they ride bikes.

Neither reports much success in persuading their colleagues to begin biking to work. Gutierrez said part of the problem is that many younger Escondido firefighters live in cities such as Temecula and Murrieta, which are too far away to commute by bicycle.

Sharply rising gas prices have made some firefighters curious about biking, but instead most of them have purchased cars that burn less fuel, said Gutierrez.

Colford said some firefighters even make fun of biking to work.

"There are definitely guys who think you're kind of kooky," he said. "They sometimes comment on my colorful biking outfits."

When Colford was transferred two years ago from Station No. 3 on Village Road to Station No. 2 on North Midway, he said he was disappointed that he would be working closer to home because it would shrink his bike route to work. He used to make a long loop into Valley Center, he said, but now he travels from near Orange Glen High School through Daley Ranch.

Gutierrez said his route to Station No 3 is "monotonous" compared to the long rides he often takes on weekends or his days off. He travels through Kit Carson Park to Escondido Boulevard, and then up Centre City Parkway to Country Club Drive.

City Councilman Ed Gallo refers to Gutierrez and Colford as "the green firemen," because of the positive effect they are having on the environment.

"How could you not think it's great that they do that?" Gallo said.

Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.