As you sit there with your cup of coffee and your slight hangover take a moment to watch this video. The subject of the study is New York City but think about how it can be applied to Memphis. Afterwards pop over to Biking In Memphis to read the interview with our buddy Kyle Wagenschutz. You'll see some similarities in which both cities, Memphis and New York City (and with little doubt every major city in America) are plagued with pandering to the automobile.
Just because you can get there in a car, it doesn't mean you should. According to Kyle, our "city" covers 300 square miles yet a lot of that is unused, or rather vacant. Built, but not occupied. In particular I'm thinking about the "warehouse district" that sits between downtown and the medical district. I was out riding the other morning with the objective of getting some "Memphis Bicycle" photos and took a route on Monroe that led me past the old Memphis Cycle & Supply store (ignore my thumb):
This was owned by the Amagliani's, who also own the Schwinn Shop on Summer. There are still supplies on the showroom floor. But what struck me was the amount of vacant buildings in the area. Buildings which in any other city would already be converted to lofts and retail. You know what else is in this area? The Wonder Bread factory. Yeah. Imagine waking up to the smell of fresh baked bread. Then you also have businesses like Kudzu's and The Hattiloo Theatre right down the street. The only thing missing are affordable apartments and a grocery. When Kyle states that the average commute is 20 miles it makes me wonder why no one has invested more in this district.
A second subject I want to poke at: "typical cyclist". Kyle and Anthony's work with Revolutions has been about helping people gain knowledge and understanding of bicycles while also supplying them with an affordable way to maintain their bikes. I wouldn't be where I am today were it not for Revolutions and the friendships I've made through that program so don't think that what I'm saying is in any way bashing it or the good people who are a part of it. They try to help people who aren't "typical cyclists"; what the media portrays cyclists to be. Perhaps it's only in my mind that the people going through Revolutions are the "typical cyclists" and the spandex clad roadies are the fringe. For the most part, the spandex crowd are the ones who view cycling as a hobby, the ones who drive their bikes to the group ride or to the trails. But those are also the people that we as advocates will have a very good chance of turning into "typical cyclists"; who opt for the bike in the morning instead of the car. They are the ones who are educated about the health and environmental benefits of cycling. Folks like Jeremy who might be looking for that edge in his next race. As Jason Labonte showed at Saturday's Cirque du Velos Intra-Team Points Race: though he's not a team member but was invited to race with them and he would attribute his strong results to daily bicycle commuting in his hometown of Chattanooga. Personally, having the bike lanes on Southern where I can try to hold a 20mph pace from Highland to Cooper has greatly increased my stamina to where I don't get dropped on the last 7 miles of the Toxic.
When I see cyclists on television, not races or big events, but when people are talking about rising gas prices, I see me riding to work to riding the a restaurant, not me in spandex (but I look really good in spandex!) So "typical cyclists" are the people that are riding everyday to work or to do errands. They are the people we actually see on the roads, unless you commute at 5:45AM when the morning group rides happen.
Please discuss your view in the comments because I feel there's a lot to say and right now I have to ride to work.
