By Ingrid Hannan
The city of Portland is famous for its friendly attitude toward bikers. They're everywhere, pedaling with cool ferocity in their specially designated lanes, and easy to spot with their messenger bags, rolled up pant leg, and slick, synthetic head-to-toe outfits. Is there more to these radical individuals who pride themselves on commuting hundreds of miles each week, weaving in and out of traffic, rain or shine?
At first, I was definitely intimidated by their speed and perceived exclusivity, and when I moved here, felt like the chances of me becoming a bike commuter were slim to none. This idea was reinforced by a bike trip downtown with some friends, a terrorizing experience involving close proximity to speeding semi-trucks and an uphill climb not designed for the faint of heart (or the out of shape, at the very least).
However, as the newspapers and movies and popular media have begun to emphasize, aided by events like Focus the Nation, it is clear that changing our perspectives about transportation is a topic that cannot be avoided. Believe it or not, biking is a realistic choice for commuting - and it's healthy (both for you and our Earth)!
I started working recently at the Community Cycling Center, whose mission is to spread access to and awareness about bikes, and they believe that "bicycles are a tool for empowerment and a vehicle for change." Already they have taught me how simple bike maintenance is, how fun it can be to ride around town, and how cost- and time-effective this mode of transportation really is.
So, what are the common reasons for avoiding the use of this incredible tool? No time? There are many who believe that it's faster because you eliminate the time used for searching for parking, filling a gas tank, and sitting in traffic jams. At the very least, you compensate for spending less time in the gym. Fear of the road? I was too, but trust me, drivers are usually very aware of bikers on the street, and remember: You have a whole lane to yourself! No gear or bike maps? Got a flat tire or busted brakes? Don't know the rules of the road? Need motivation?
This one's easy: Come to Bike Appreciation Day today. It's put on by my favorite College Ecology Club, and our lovely club members will be there all day giving out free stuff. So save us from the 15 pounds of pollutants that come from your car's tailpipe, realize that 40 percent of the trips you take are within a quick two-mile ride from home, pump up those quads, and discover the pride of evolving past the use of fossil fuels.
Ingrid Hannan is a junior ?environmental science major
