All posts in the topic Bike commuting (Short link)
Summary
- There are 2 posts — by 2 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Ken Yokanovich at May 19 03:19 UTC
Good morning, everyone,
Are you sleeping in this fine Sunday morning? Reading the paper, or
getting ready for church? Maybe you're off on an early bike ride.
The St. Paul paper's Turning Points feature (page 7E) features RIF's own
Ken Yokanovich and his commitment to bicycle commuting. He has not driven
since July 20th last year. What an inspiration to all bike riders!
My more modest goal is to bike commute at least two days a week during the
summer. I had the pleasure of riding toward home with Ken earlier this month
when he caught me on a hill. We rode a few miles until our routes diverged.
Page 3B of the same paper has an article about a Sheboygan man who intends
to give up using gas for 31 days, by walking or biking everywhere. Will the
possibility of bicycling and the price of gas spur you to do some bike
commuting this summer? Let's go pump up those tires, and check the brake pads,
and lube the chain, .....
Ken, how about a report on the week of kids being permitted to bike to
school?
Happy & safe biking to you all.
It was a beautiful morning, that is for certain, a glorious spring day. The
alarm went off at 4:55am and I was out the door by 5:30 to go ride my bike
recreationally. Hung up a couple of loads of laundry on the clothes line
today (does anyone else hang laundry outside to dry?) and did some yard
work.
Wanda, it was really fun to have run into you the other day on the way
home. I really enjoy the social aspects of being able to have a
conversation while on my way to or from work. (Not exactly something one
can do while sealed up in a passenger vehicle unless talking on the phone. )
There's very much (in my humble opinion) a connection to your surroundings
when I go for a walk, run, or ride my bicycle. A friendly hello, a
conversation with a stranger, meeting a neighbor... all things that I find
valuable.
I know bicycle commuting all the time is not for everyone, but I really am a
firm believer that just about anyone could run an errand on two wheels and
learn to enjoy it. I'm trying to teach my kids that there are other ways to
get around besides simply jumping in the car. My 11 year old daughter has
discovered a sense of freedom and responsibility on her bike.
Last week's experiment at Falcon Heights Elementary went very well. We had
17 kids on Monday, 28 on Tuesday, 48 Wednesday, 51 on Thursday, and Friday
was in the order of 40. I think Friday was light because there was a 6th
grade band concert. Parents were excited, kids were excited, and I think
teachers were excited. We have yet to talk with the principal, Paul
Charest, to find out what will happen from now on. Wondering if he will
continue to allow the kids to ride? There have been discussions about
possibly improving pedestrian/bike access to the school and installing a
bike rack. I believe that this summer there will be a pedestrian crossing
light installed at Garden and Hamline. All steps toward improving
non-motorized transit options.
I get inspired with stories such as the man in Sheboygan. I get inspired by
stories such as my next door neighbor who picked up a bike in October and
decided to try riding to work and back. (No, I don't think I had ANY
influence on him, only after he had been doing it for a while did we make a
connection.) The story in the Pioneer Press makes mention of my two
coworkers who have decided to begin riding to and from work. There is value
beyond the cost savings in gas. There is the feeling of accomplishment, the
physical benefits, the sense of accomplishment. While it hasn't exactly
been EASY, is not always convenient, there are so many parts of my bicycle
commute that I enjoy, I have no desire to stop.