Beth Sets Pestec Record in Southeast Neighborhoods

By Howard Williams, Veteran MAC Team Member

 

On August 18, Beth Ann LaBerge, a rookie on the Mosquito Abatement Courier crew, set a record for covering the most area in one day by a MAC team member.

 

In just under eight hours, she covered almost all the Portola District along with the Alemany Farmers' Market and the steep southeast slope of Bernal Heights. What made this feat even more impressive was the fact that it was done by a rider in her first year. The crew was so amazed that a veteran rider was sent out the next day to inspect her area. He reported only two minor errors which were easily corrected.

 

Beth did have some advantages. The territory is near Pestec's Bayview office so she was able to access her area quickly and then had an easy, flat route back to base. This minimal "commute" to and from her assigned neighborhoods gave her plenty of time to concentrate on her task. The weather that day was mild and traffic was light throughout most of her area. Only when she left the Portola to negotiate Alemany Boulevard over to Farmers' Market did she encounter heavy traffic. There she slowed down enough to assess the situation and cross over to the Farmers' Market parking lot. Not only did she experience light vehicular traffic, there were also few pedestrians throughout her area. Fewer pedestrians also means  more street crossings will be clear.

 

Beth's performance highlights again the advantages of using bicycles for mosquito abatement. Even with two people, it would require a motor vehicle almost a week to cover the same amount of territory. A truck crew can not equal the average MAC bicyclist, let alone one who is setting a record. And the numerous stops and starts that our job demands means that even a small car would not only be less productive; it would also leave a massive carbon "footprint." Also, bicyclists are better able to meet the public and explain the mosquito abatement program than those inside vehicles.

 

It's always tempting to ask if a record can be broken. I think Beth's can but not readily. The advantages she utilized so effectively can appear again for another MAC rider but probably not for awhile. The biggest and most important barrier to breaking such a record is the need for accuracy on the job. No matter how much area a MAC rider is covering, no matter how fast he or she may ride, the MAC team member knows that the first goal of the job is accuracy.

CATEGORY: Biking