Prompted by rising gas prices, motivated by Bike-to-Work Week experiences and impressed by a different view than from behind a steering wheel, most of the City of South Bend's Code Enforcement inspectors will ride their routes on bicycles.

The City of South Bend's Department of Code Enforcement is testing the use of bicycles by most of the city's nine code inspectors. The idea was proposed three weeks ago by Inspector Brian Haygood, who also made arrangements with the South Bend Police Department to borrow two fully equipped bicycles for the test period. Another inspector loaned a bicycle carrier to the department so inspectors with more-distant areas can transport the bicycle to their inspection areas, and ride their routes from there.

"South Bend has made a commitment to being a Cool City by taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Like our residents, we also are seeking creative ways to live within our means," said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. "This effort allows us to reduce fuel costs, improve the health of our workers and provide better services for our residents. With the creativity of our City staff, South Bend will continue to do all we can to raise the green bar in our community through persuasion, education and example."

The inspectors have established a rotation for use of the bikes that, weather permitting, may allow them to pedal through neighborhoods from April through November.

"You get a different perspective of the neighborhood on a bicycle than driving in a vehicle," said Catherine Toppel, director of the city's Department of Code Enforcement. "You feel more involved in the neighborhood than just driving through it. In addition, we believe it will make them more approachable to the neighbors, which helps promote good communication."

While inspection areas vary in size and concentration of housing, the eight inspection areas over the city's 40-square-miles would work out to an average size of 5 square miles. Toppel estimates that inspectors will save 1 to 3 gallons of gas per bike for every day the bicycles are used.

Inspectors may choose whether to use the bicycles, which have bags to store paperwork, cameras and other equipment.

"The inspectors love it. I've got inspectors on the bike who I never thought would get on the bikes," she said.

While it's quite common for police officers to patrol on bicycles, Toppel is aware of at least one other community, Norwich, N.Y., whose inspectors began using bicycles earlier this month.

Code Enforcement inspectors investigate housing, environmental and zoning violations within the city. At the end of the season, the department will evaluate whether to continue the effort, including purchasing bicycles for use by the department.

Contact:  Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 or Catherine Toppel, Director of Code Enforcement, 235-9486