SAN JOSE (KCBS) — There was an unusual race staged in downtown San Jose Tuesday as several bicycles went head-to-head with a car and public transit to see which had the faster commute.

In the first annual Clean Commute Challenge, a few cyclists, a Valley Transportation Authority light rail rider and a car commuter all left downtown San Jose at the same time, heading for the county government offices about 10 blocks away.

KCBS’ Matt Bigler Reports:

The bicycle won by a landslide, beating the car by at least five minutes and the VTA by 10. San Jose Councilman Sam Liccardo, one of the bike riders, took a little time to gloat.

“Bikes and humanity one, cars zero,” he said.

The car driver, Sarah Ligda, says she would have been faster, except for parking.

“Not only do I have to circle around and find a parking spot, but now I have to go back and pay,” she said.

The event was to promote bike-to-work day next Thursday.

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