1. sports
2. bicycling
3. mountain biking

SPRING
2015
FREE
Get ready for
CycloMesa
+ Commute with Kids
+ Best Bike Locks
+ Pedal in a Skirt
+ 2-Wheel Overnights
+ Meet Local Shops
Bike2Work
Day is
April 22
Pedaling Fun
at Desert Trails
Mountain Bike Park
Pullout
BIKE MAP
Inside!
ENTER TO WIN
see
Take our Bike/Ped Survey pg. 3
FOLLOW US:
Facebook.com/BikeLifeCities //
@BikeLifeCities
They take a lot
of energy to make.
But it’s nothing
compared to the
energy they
create.
On January 31, 2015, over 200 Eastmark
Originals, our first residents, received custom
Eastmark beach cruisers. These were specially
designed by Jim Decker, a local bike enthusiast
and owner of Soul Beach Cruisers. Jim is a big
believer in the power of community and promoting
healthy environments. That’s why the Eastmark Cruiser
Culture program was a perfect fit for this partnership.
The Eastmark Cruiser Culture movement is gaining traction
by helping neighbors meet neighbors, and families connect
to our growing community. It’s just another way Eastmark comes
to life, and why Eastmark has quickly become the most desired
community in the East Valley.
Eastmark. The Mark of Something Special.
Visit Eastmark today. Homes from the Valley’s finest builders from
1,500 to 5,700 sq. ft. and from the low $200k to $500k+.
The Eastmark Visitors Center
Eastmark.com
|
Ray Road & Ellsworth Road, Mesa
© 2015 DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC. Obtain the Property Report or its equivalent, required by Federal and State law and read it before
signing anything. No Federal or State agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. All features, dimensions, drawings,
renderings, plans, and specifications are conceptual and subject to change without notice. The information provided in this advertisement is
strictly for informational purposes and shall not be construed as an offer to sell real property. Sales terms and prices are established by builders
and subject to change without notice.
DAN BAUM
DUNCAN BENNING
When he’s not managing his bike
shop, Transit Cycles, Duncan
can usually be found biking
with his wife, Rebecca, and his
kids, Camilla (9) and Benito (6),
to school and then pedaling to
work. The family loves to ride
because it allows them to spend
time together, be good to the
environment and stay connected
with the community.
Publisher
Editor
Art Director/Designer
Kristal Boni
Production
Beth Prehn
CONTRIBUTORS
The author of several books,
including “Gun Guys: A Road
Trip,” “Nine Lives: Death and
Life in New Orleans” and
“Citizen Coors: An American
Dynasty,” Dan was also a staff
writer for The New Yorker and
has reported for the Anchorage
Times, The Atlanta JournalConstitution and The Wall
Street Journal.
Through her Bike Stylish
project, Jeanne is on a mission
to help further the perception
of biking as fun, accessible
and aspirational. Always well
dressed, Jeanne shares her tips
on biking stylishly in this month’s
issue. Follow her on Facebook at
“Bike Stylish” and Twitter
@bikestylish.
Becca Heaton
ContributorsAshley Barinka, Dan Baum, Duncan Benning,
Jeanne Eisenhaure, James Hash, Jim Sayer, Andrea Tollefsrud
Online Ryan Amirault, Greg Thomas
Finance
Shirlee Adolfson
SalesBrian Bauer // brian@catacom.com // 303-444-5545 x112
Russ Chandler // russ@catacom.com // 303-444-5545 x107
Lynn Guissinger // lynn@catacom.com // 303-444-5545 x106
Gregg Thayer // gregg@catacom.com // 303-444-5545 x103
Matthew Reece // matt@catacom.com
Editorial Office
JEANNE EISENHAURE
Lynn Guissinger
BikeLife Cities // 1515 Walnut Street // Boulder, CO 80302
Tel: 303-444-5545 // Fax: 800-579-1515
www.bikelifecities.com
Advertising
Contact sales@bikelifecities.com for media kit and rate card.
Story/Photo Submissions
Contact editor@bikelifecities.com for submission information.
Distribution
Contact info@bikelifecities.com for information.
BikeLife Cities is a program of Catalyst Communication, Inc.,
launching in multiple cities. ©2015 Catalyst Communication, Inc.
ON THE COVER Photo courtesy of VisitMesa
Mountain bikers explore the trails at Lost Dutchman State Park, a popular spot
for residents and visitors to explore the Sonoran Desert and its varied landscape.
TAKE OUR BICYCLE &
PEDESTRIAN SURVEY —
BE ENTERED TO WIN A PRIZE!
The City of Mesa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program wants
to hear from YOU about biking and walking in Mesa. Your
input will help the City reach its Bicycle Master Plan goals
and objectives, and continue to plan for great bicycle and
pedestrian facilities for everyone.
It will just take a few minutes. Fill in the survey and you’ll
be entered to win a Downtown Mesa gift certificate!
Please ask your friends, family and co-workers to fill out
the survey too! The more responses we have, the better our
ability to know what the community really needs for our
cyclists and pedestrians.
For more info on the City of Mesa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian
program, contact Jim Hash, Bicycle/Pedestrian
Coordinator at 480-644-3556 or james.hash@mesaaz.gov.
©mel-nik/iStock
BikeLifeCities.com/MesaBikePedSurvey2015
ON THE WEB
BikeLifeCities.com
READ THIS ISSUE ONLINE
You can access this issue anytime.
Share it with your friends by sending
a link so they can read it too!
City of Mesa
BLOGS
Read fun stories and news
about biking.
RESOURCES
We’re your one-stop shop for
everything biking in Mesa, from
places to ride to events, bike shops,
groups and more.
TAKE OUR SURVEY
DESERT TRAILS
MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK 12
5 Welcome Letter
6
I Bike Mesa
Meet locals who like to
travel on two wheels
8
It’s CycloMesa Time
A weekend of biking fun
for everyone
11
Get Ready for
Bike2Work Day
Mesa’s annual
celebration on April 22
12
Desert Trails
Mountain Bike Park
Mesa’s playground
for biking
15
Pedal Smart Riding
against traffic is a no-no
17
Mesa Bike Map
Pull it out and get riding
21
Don’t Get Doored
Stay alert when you’re
biking in a door zone
22Need to Knows
Quick and easy
cycling tips
24Kidding Around
3 ways to commute
by bike with your kids
26
How to Bike Stylish
in a Skirt Avoid the
dreaded ‘flash’ with
these easy tips
4
BIKELIFE MESA
28
Two-Wheeled
Vacations Planning
a bike overnight
30
Protect Your Ride 4 great bike locks, plus
locking dos and don’ts
What do you think about BikeLife
Mesa? What would you like to read
(or write!) about? We want to hear
from you.
SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER
We’ll keep you up to date yearround on all kinds of fun, interesting
and newsworthy bike-related stories.
32
Meet Your Local Bike
Shops Meet four local
shops and their owners
33
Calendar of Events
Plus local bike shops,
groups and clubs
34
The Final Mile
How to train yourself
to travel via two wheels
instead of four
FOLLOW US
Facebook.com/BikeLifeCities
@BikeLifeCities
welcome
The City of Mesa has collaborated with BikeLife
Cities to share bicycling information with the
residents of Mesa and Maricopa County in this
first issue of BikeLife Mesa. Whether you are
currently riding or just thinking about riding, our
theory is the more you know, the more you ride.
Bicycling in Mesa is becoming more and more
popular, and Mesa is proud of the facilities that
we have in place to accommodate that increase.
Our Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is continually
striving to increase on-street and off-street facilities to accommodate riders
of all comfort levels. No matter if you are a fearless rider or an “interested
but concerned” one, Mesa wants to provide facilities for you that will offer
low stress and comfortable riding conditions.
What’s new in Mesa? The City is planning a number of off-street shareduse paths to be built in the next few years. By Spring Training 2016, you’ll
be able to travel between Mesa and Tempe without ever mixing with
traffic. The Rio Salado pathway will traverse the Salt River, giving you a
scenic low-stress route to west Mesa and into Tempe. We’ll also soon be
celebrating our first bicycle boulevard along 10th Street between Alma
School Road and Country Club Drive.
Our Grid Bike Share Program will launch November 15 with the
expansion of light rail to Mesa Drive. Grid will kick off with a total of
25 stations housing 250 bicycles along the light rail line so you can get
to Downtown Mesa and the Fiesta District.
Your input matters, and we listen. Residents of Mesa were loud and clear
about the necessity for more bicycle and pedestrian facilities that were
requested through the iMesa input period. Those projects were brought
forward to you and passed by you in the last two elections, which have
made a majority of these projects possible.
We also heard from you that you wanted more events that featured
bicycling—we brought you CycloMesa. This year’s celebration of bikes
is April 10-12. Learn more about it on pages 8–9.
Enjoy reading BikeLife Mesa, hope to see you out pedaling!
Mesa By
The numbers
1 of 10
top cities for
bicycle commuting.
Forbes Magazine
5th highest
bicycle infrastructure
per square miles of
52 largest cities.
Bicycling and Walking
2014 Benchmarking Report
360 miles
of on-street bike lanes
58 miles
of assorted off-street paths
140 miles
of signed bike routes
Overall highest rate
of bicycle parking
at public schools with
86 spots per 1,000 students
Bicycling and Walking
2014 Benchmarking Report
20,000+ people
at annual CycloMesa
Jim Hash
Mesa Bicycle and Pedestrian
Program Coordinator
City of Mesa Resources & Contacts
james.hash@mesaaz.gov
mesaaz.gov/transportation
350+ days
of sunshine per year
BikeLife Cities is a program of ©Catalyst Communication 2015
5
[ WHY I RIDE ]
MESA
I
Meet locals who like to travel on two wheels
Bob Lewis, 69
Retired Tool and Die Maker
Where do you like to ride? I ride just
about everywhere in the valley. My
favorites are Mesa, Fountain Hills, and
Central and South Phoenix. I have ridden
the Answer to the Challenge, a three-day,
325-mile bike ride from Scottsdale to
Strawberry, then to Prescott and back to
Scottsdale multiple times.
How many miles do you ride each year?
I typically ride 50-60 miles six days a week.
In 2010, I rode 24,292 miles, an all-time
high. Nowadays, it is more like
16,000 a year.
Laura Hyneman, 50ish
What do you like best about bicycling? I
ride because I love the freedom it gives me.
Maintaining my weight and health are also
some of the main reasons I ride, too. And I
have made many friends while riding over
the years. My wife and I did a self-contained
cross-country tour 20 years ago. Best
vacation we ever took!
Deputy Director, Development
and Sustainability Department,
City of Mesa
Where do you like to ride? All over the
valley, primarily on the road, occasionally
on mountain biking trails.
How often do you ride? About three
times a week, and at least one cycling
vacation a year.
Why do you ride? For recreation, fun
and keeping fit. I tried commuting for a
while, but there are no showers available
near my office.
What do you like most about bicycling?
I love the people I meet while cycling, the
places and scenery I’ve seen while biking
and the restaurants I’ve been to—because
I have discovered many cyclists love the
camaraderie of eating together after a good
ride. It’s also a fun way to stay in shape.
6
BIKELIFE MESA
Garrett Topham, 35
Geographer, City of Mesa
Where do you like to ride? Mesa canals,
North Phoenix parks, Sedona and Flagstaff.
How often do you ride? 4 to 5 days a
week…when it’s under 100 degrees.
How many miles do you typically ride
a year? Prior to last year, I probably rode
less than 1,000 miles annually. But in
2014, I rode 3,000 miles.
Why do you ride?
For fitness and adventure.
What do you like most about bicycling?
It’s unique in that it gets you healthy while
getting you somewhere at the same time.
Eddie Chavez, 54
Manufacturing Engineer, Boeing Company*
What is your daily bike commute?
From Gilbert to Boeing Company in Mesa.
How often do you bike to work? Three days a week since 1994.
How many miles is your commute? I ride 12 miles from home
to work in the morning, and I do an extra 20-30 miles of riding
around Mesa after work before going home.
Mike Goettings, Boeing Company
Where do you like to ride? I ride a single-speed bike and
appreciate the wide city bike lanes and safe streets in Mesa. I enjoy
riding along the Salt River, which provides a diversity of climbing
and coasting up and down hills.
*Boeing Mesa currently has 131 bike commuters registered in its Trip Reduction Program.
Cool Cruisers
Eastmark Community Gives Bikes to New Residents
Talk about a bike-friendly community. Along with designing every neighborhood
street to be bicycle and pedestrian friendly, Eastmark in Mesa’s East Valley is
giving away cool orange cruiser bikes to new residents to inspire and encourage
them to bike more.
Learn more about this great bike-friendly community at Eastmark.com.
ore than 200 Eastmark residents picked up their Eastmark Original
i MCruiser
and took part in the inaugural community cruiser ride.
©2015 Mark Skalny
At their inaugural “Let’s Ride, Eastmark!” event, 200 lucky residents received a
custom-designed cruiser from local designer and cycling enthusiast Jim Decker,
owner of Soul Beach Cruisers in Tempe. Only 400 of the limited-edition bikes
will be produced.
“The real joy I saw in the faces of residents as they received their bikes was
amazing,” says Decker. “Eastmark is really innovative in terms of offering their
community that connection through cycling and a healthy outdoor lifestyle.
Residents are contacting their neighbors and going out on rides. It’s exactly what
we wanted to see happen.”
7
[ FUN STUFF ]
It’s CycloMesa Time
A weekend…unchained
C
alling all bike lovers: Pump up your
bike tires, oil your bike chain and
get ready for a weekend celebration
of everything bikes at the fourth annual
CycloMesa Unchained bicycle festival in
downtown Mesa, April 10 thru 12.
The CycloMesa Unchained bicycle
festival is put on by the City of Mesa,
Downtown Mesa Association,
Perimeter Cycling and Two Wheel Jones.
Experience bike racing up close on Friday
as cyclists race through the streets for the
fast-paced El Tour Criterium. This year the
event is host to the Arizona State Criterium
Championships with the best of the best
riders competing from around the state.
Then stick around for the glow festival
with a beer garden, local vendors, gourmet
food trucks, live music…and lots and lots
of lights.
Festivities continue on Saturday with the
El Tour de Mesa. Celebrating its silver
anniversary, the event is open to cyclists
of all ages and abilities with a ride distance
for everyone—choose from 6, 11, 28
or 70 miles.
“I’ve participated in the El Tour de Mesa
the past four years and love the fun
atmosphere,” says Mesa resident Kimmy
bmx stunt show
8
BIKELIFE MESA
el tour criterium
Johnson. “The event is special to me
because it travels around all of the areas
that I love to ride in.” Johnson also loves
what comes after the ride: the huge Kids’
Zone and Extreme Sports Zone with a
zip line, bungee trampolines, rock wall,
kids’ bicycle rodeo, BMX freestyle show,
beer garden, custom bicycle competition,
vendors, food truck alley and more.
“My kids loved the Kids’ Zone last year,
climbing on the rock wall, eating snow
cones and pedaling the one-mile fun ride,”
says the mother of three. “We can’t wait to
get back there this year!”
There’s more championship criterium
racing on Sunday, plus Mesa’s own
“Amazing Race,” aka the Mesa Adventure
Cycling Challenge. This fun event requires
teams to solve clues, complete challenges
and, best of all, ride their bikes from
destination to destination enjoying Mesa’s
great bike lanes and multi-use paths.
It’s three days of endless biking fun!
Get all of the details at CycloMesa.com.
SCHEDULE
OF EVENTS
Friday, April 10
2 pm–10 pm
› El Tour Criterium:
Races start at
2 pm
› Glow Festival
Party in the
Streets: 4–10 pm
Saturday, April 11
6:15 am
Holualoa
Companies
El Tour de Mesa
race starts
Saturday, April 11
10 am–2 pm
CycloMesa
Unchained:
› Extreme Sports
Zone
› BMX stunt show
› Zip line
› Bicycle rodeo
› Banner Children’s
Kids’ Zone
› Adult fun zone
All photos courtesy of City of Mesa
› Custom bicycle
competition
Sunday, April 12
7 am
El Tour Criterium
races start
Sunday, April 12
10 am–2 pm
CycloMesa
Unchained:
› Kids’ Zone
› Adult fun zone
Sunday, April 12
10 am–1 pm
Mesa Adventure
Cycling Challenge
bmx rider flying over the
banner children’s kids’ zone
9
IMBA supports trails in Arizona and across the nation.
Special gifts and prizes available during our
spring membership drive*
Join, Renew, or register now at imba.com/join
*No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. US Residents only. See imba.com/join for rules and details.
IMBA Half Pg Ad.indd 1
3/5/15 11:32 AM
GET OUT AND RIDE.
Mountain ~ Road ~ Cruisers ~ Fitness ~ Kids ~ Hybrid
$
10 OFF
any purchase of
$50 or more
Not to be combined with
other offers, gift cards included.
Exp. June 15, 2015
©Gorfer/iStock
©GlobalStock/iStock
©MoniqueRodriguez/iStock
$
Full Service & Repair Shop ~ Professional Staff ~ Family Friendly
1106 N Gilbert Rd
SW Corner of Brown & Gilbert
480.830.1620
www.paragoncycling.com
Mon–Fri 10–7 ~ Sat 10–6
20 OFF
any purchase of
$100 or more
Not to be combined with
other offers, gift cards included.
Exp. June 15, 2015
20% OFF
any 2013 or 2014
in-stock bike
Not to be combined with
other offers, gift cards included.
Exp. June 15, 2015
[ FUN STUFF ]
Get Ready for
City of Mesa
BIKE2WORK DAY
Mesa’s annual
celebration on
EARTH DAY, APRIL 22
Riding a bicycle can be a fun way to get to and from work.
And there are so many benefits: you get exercise, you help
reduce traffic congestion, you help the environment by leaving
less of a carbon footprint and you save money!
D
id you know that
the average annual
cost of owning and
operating a car is over $9,000,
or 18 percent of the average
household’s income? Compare
it to this: Owning and
maintaining a bicycle can cost
as little as $120 per year. Now
that’s some serious savings!
April is Valley Bike Month,
and communities around the
region host all kinds of great
Bike to Work events. This year,
Bike to Work Week is April
20–24 and Bike2Work Day is
Wednesday, April 22.
Here in Mesa, we hold our
annual Bike2Work Day
celebration on Earth Day. Pedal
to Mesa City Plaza and enjoy
a pancake breakfast ($3–$5)
and Earth Day celebration
green fair from 6 to 8 a.m.
All proceeds are donated to a
local bicycle-related charity.
The event is hosted by the
City of Mesa Transportation
Department’s Bicycle and
Pedestrian Program.
Even if you’re not a cyclist,
come and join the fun!
Questions? Call 480-644-3219.
Last year’s photo contest winner, Mike Samers (center) with Chris Brady (right),
City of Mesa Manager, and Lenny Hulme (left), City of Mesa Transportation
Department Director.
In addition to the public portion of Bike2Work Day, the City of Mesa also
conducts an internal City department challenge. Staff members from
various departments compete against each other to rally the largest
percentage of employees in their department to pedal to work. Prizes are
awarded for riding, a slow race and a photo contest. Winners take home
the traveling trophy, bragging rights and a free catered luncheon with the
City Manager, hosted by the City of Mesa Transportation Department.
11
[ FUN STUFF ]
Desert Trails Mountain Bike Park
Mesa’s playground for biking
W
hether you want to cruise the
cross-country trails, test your
skills on dirt jumps or launch
yourself in the air on the pump track, Desert
Trails Mountain Bike Park is the place to go.
and features for all levels. Three flow trails
for downhill biking are beginner green level
(Runaway Train Trail), intermediate blue
level (Squirrel Catcher Trail), and expert
black level (Double Trouble Trail).
“This park is amazing,” shares one local
mom and rider. “We’ve been waiting for
this for a long time and my kids and I just
love it. It’s the best thing the city could have
done for people who like to ride bikes.”
There’s also a pump track where riders
can improve their riding skills before
tackling the flow trails. The track was built
by volunteers from the Gravity Riders
Organization of Arizona (GRO-AZ), a local
not-for-profit bike advocacy group that also
helped consult on other park features and
continues to help maintain the trails.
The 35-acre park also includes a threequarter-mile perimeter trail for people who
just want to hike, walk the dogs, push a
stroller or ride through the desert landscape.
City of Mesa
Opened in November 2014, the park—one
of the busiest in the city—is host to trails
“This park has really blown away people
that use it,” says Chris Head, a board
member with GRO-AZ and a frequent park
user and trail maintenance volunteer. “It’s a
world-class park for off-road riding, and it’s
so cool to see people of all ages from 6 to 60
out enjoying it.”
Desert Trails Mountain Bike Park is located at
2955 N. Recker Road and is open from sunrise
to sunset. For info, call Mesa Parks and
Recreation at 480-644-2352.
12
BIKELIFE MESA
TAKE THE
CITY SURVEY
& be entered
to WIN a
Downtown
Mesa gift
certificate!
BikeLifeCities.com/MesaBikePedSurvey2015
“Bicycle Sales and Service for the Family”
Locally owned and operated ~ Free service for life on all new bike purchases
globalbikes.info
Four Valley Locations; Mon-Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5
Gilbert Gilbert & Guadalupe
835 N. Gilbert Rd. #111
480-892-1315
Chandler, Rental Center
+ Sales & Service
1055 S. Arizona Ave. #9
Chandler Ray & 101
2915 West Ray Road #10
480-899-3625
480-782-8342
Ahwatukee
3636 E. Ray Rd. &
Mt. Ranch Circle
480-706-0858
LAYAWAYS
20% off
any one item
Excludes wheeled items and
special orders. Expires 6/15/15.
$35
basic tune
(reg. $59)
Tandems & recumbents
additional. Expires 6/15/15.
$65
pro tune
(reg. $89)
Tandems & recumbents
additional. Expires 6/15/15.
$39
Per wheel
No flat guarantee
Never get a flat again!*
*Restrictions apply. Expires 6/15/15.
[ NEWS & NOTES ]
Pedal SMART
Riding against traffic is a no-no
WALKING LAWS
We often see pedestrians
walking and running in
the bike lanes. This is
extremely dangerous for
bicyclists, pedestrians
and motorists! Please
be aware of Arizona
law A.R.S. 28-796
about pedestrians and
roadways.
©2014 Igor Stevanovic/iStock
› If sidewalks are
provided, a pedestrian
shall not walk along
and on an adjacent
roadway.
› If sidewalks are not
provided, a pedestrian
walking along and on
a highway shall walk
when practicable only
on the left side of the
roadway or its shoulder
facing traffic that may
approach from the
opposite direction.
› A person shall not stand
in a roadway for the
purpose of soliciting a
ride from the driver of a
vehicle.
A
ctor Alec Baldwin made headlines
last May when he was arrested for
riding his bike the wrong way on a
New York street. His actions were dubbed
“salmoning,” a term coined years back by
a prolific urban blogger, Bike Snob NYC.
It’s a problem that can be a risk to many—
other cyclists, pedestrians, even drivers.
Always pedal with the flow of traffic.
The greatest danger to a wrong-way cyclist
occurs at intersections and driveways.
Drivers often don’t see bicyclists traveling
in the wrong direction. A driver is looking
for traffic to come from the other (correct)
direction and may unintentionally turn
into the wrong-way bike rider’s path.
Wrong-way bicycle riders traveling on oneway streets are not able to see signs and
traffic signals. Riding the wrong direction
in a bike lane can cause head-on collisions
with other bicyclists traveling in the proper
direction, or can cause one cyclist to move
into traffic to avoid such collisions.
So please ride on the right with the flow
of traffic—NEVER ride against traffic on
the road, in a bike lane or on a sidewalk.
Drivers turning from the side cannot
see you and approaching drivers will not
expect you to be riding the wrong way. It’s
the law here in Arizona (A.R.S. 28-815).
NEVER RIDE AGAINST TRAFFIC
According to the 2010 City of Mesa Annual Bicycle Crash
Analysis, PedalCyclists riding against traffic on sidewalks, in
crosswalks, in bike lanes or in roadways were a contributing
factor in 63.6% of all pedalcycle crashes.
15
S
S
E
L
D
N
SPE
!
E
R
O
M
E
RID
We’re Tempe’s Down to Earth Bike Experts
repair & service
480-219-7225
200 E Fifth St. Suite 105, Tempe
best bike brands
parts & accessories
thebicyclecellar.com
RIDE
SAFE!
Open
Daily
NUMBERED MESA BIKE ROUTES
DOWNLOAD THIS MAP AT
MesaAZ.gov/Transportation/BikePedMaps.aspx
[ NEWS & NOTES ]
Don’t Get Doored
Stay alert when you’re biking in a car door zone
G
etting “doored.” The word says it all. You are biking along
when a parked vehicle door swings open and wham!, you
run into it. Not a pleasant situation at all, and one that
many cyclists worry about. The solution: Keep your personal radar
on and always stay alert when pedaling.
On light rail corridors in Mesa, bikes and automobiles are sharing
the same space. So when you’re biking between cars or a light rail
and parked vehicles, always be aware of the door zone—when a
driver in a parked vehicle suddenly opens his or her door into your
travel space or when a vehicle is getting ready to pull out. Cars
often pull out from parking spots or open their doors without
looking for oncoming bikes, so be READY.
TIPS
LEAVE 3 FEET. Give yourself no
less than 3 feet of space when
passing a parked car.
LOOK FOR PEOPLE IN CARS.
Keep scanning as you ride, look
through back windows of cars
to see if you see a person or
movement, particularly on the
driver side. Also look at the side
rear-view mirror if you see any
reflection of a person. Both are
red flags that someone may be
opening their door, so pass with
caution.
©Henk Badenhorst/iStock
ANNOUNCE YOU’RE
APPROACHING. Ring your bell or
horn, or shout “coming on your
left” as you approach parked
cars with people in them.
KEEP AN EYE ON TAIL LIGHTS.
If brake lights or reverse lights
come on, the car is likely getting
ready to pull out.
PAY ATTENTION TO FRONT
WHEELS. If wheels are angled,
a car might be getting ready to
pull out.
21
Need-to-Knows
Prepare
for a Stop
Anticipate your stop by
shifting down into an
easier gear. This assures
a much quicker start.
No time to “downshift”?
No problem. You can
change your gears while
stationary. How? Three
words: Shift—Lift—Turn.
Easiest performed while
standing to the side of
your bike.
1. Shift your gear lever to
an easier gear (either
right shifter to control
rear derailleur or left
shifter to control front
derailleur).
2. Lift up the bike by the
saddle with one hand
(to get rear wheel off
ground).
3. Grab the pedal/
crank arm and rotate
FORWARD until you
hear a clean change
of gears and no more
“grinding.”
You’re now in a low gear
to start pedaling with
more ease!
22
BIKELIFE MESA
RIDING
BUMPY STUFF
› Use your body for a shock absorber.
Keep knees and arms bent, gripping the bars.
› When approaching obstacles—railroad
tracks, potholes, debris—get up off the
saddle (very slightly, no need to stand all the
way) to let bike float underneath you.
› Keep pedals level at the 3 and 9 o’clock
position; this allows for even weight
distribution to right and left side of bike
for better control and balance.
› Once through obstacle,
take a seat!
By Andrea Tollefsrud
Quick and easy cycling tips for a safe and comfy ride
BE HEARD
YOUR HELMET
SHOULD BE LEVEL
ON YOUR HEAD—
Have a bell and don’t be shy
about using it.
Be vocal. Whistle. Yell if you
need to get noticed by a car
you feel is a potential threat.
When passing anyone,
ALWAYS announce yourself
(“On your left”).
not tilted back, forward or to the side
› Adjust straps and tighten retention knob
to achieve a snug, level fit.
› Leave two fingers of space between strap and
underside of chin.
› Helmet fit is tricky sometimes.
Don’t be afraid to ask your local
bike shop staff or another
experienced rider to help.
BEFORE
EVERY RIDE
Check Wheels
Be sure they’re not
“wobbly,” and be sure
quick-release lever is
tight so wheel is locked
into place.
Check tire pressure
and pump IF tires
feel soft
Awareness is your friend.
You need both eyes and
ears when riding.
That said, it’s best not to
wear headphones while
biking. Check your local
laws on headphone use.
ID
Always carry some form
of ID in case you get hurt or
need to show identification.
If you have a saddle bag,
make a copy of your
driver’s license and
store in the bag.
Once
A Month
Check wheels,
brakes and shifting
and suspension
systems.
While you can see in
front of you, there is a
whole world behind you
that you need to hear
and sense.
Check that brakes
are not rubbing on
the tire or rim
Check by spinning the
wheel (off the ground).
If rubbing, center brakes.
Check chain to be
sure it’s adequately
lubricated
If it looks dirty or rusty,
add drops of lube to the
chain while turning pedals
backwards, then wipe off
excess lube with a rag.
23
Illustrations by Alece Birnbach, www.GraphicRecordingStudio.com
EYES & EARS
Not sure how much air to
pump? Check tire sidewall
to find the PSI number to
pump to.
©Martin Sundberg
yuba cargo bike
kidding around
By Duncan Benning
3 ways to commute by bike with your kids
Commuting around by bike is fun. And it’s even more fun when you can get your
kids involved, too. If thinking about transporting your kids via two wheels seems intimidating, with a little planning it’s quite doable. Read on for three ways to travel
with kids that are easy and safe, and sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
24
BIKELIFE MESA
yepp
maxi
thule
cadence
xtracycle
BIKE TRAILER
CARGO BIKE
CHILD BIKE SEAT
A bike trailer is a great option for carrying
kids (ages one to six) as well as cargo, like
groceries or backpacks. Most trailers have a
maximum load limit of 100 pounds. Many
trailers also offer various types of quickrelease hitches enabling you to quickly
remove them from your bike so you can
ride unencumbered.
Cargo bikes are another fun way to
commute with kids. They come in two
general categories, Long Tails and Long
Johns (see sidebar). Long Tails carry the
bulk of the load behind the rider, while
Long Johns place the load in front.
Xtracycle ($1,499–$2,899) and Yuba
($1,299–$3,499) are popular Long
Tail brands. They each offer an array
of accessories to help adapt their bikes
to various types of use. For example,
XtraCycle allows you to use two child
seats at the same time, a child seat
along with an older child, or as many
as three kids all sitting on the rear deck.
All of this with plenty of space for cargo.
Child seats are similar to automobile
booster seats and are designed to attach
over the top of the back wheel of most
standard bicycles. These seats make
great child carriers for a younger child,
beginning at about one year old. Most
seats have a maximum weight limit of
about 45 pounds.
Models come in a broad range of prices.
The Thule Cadence ($299.95) and
Burley’s top of the line D’Lite ($629)
are shown.
One popular brand is Yepp’s Maxi
Rear Bicycle Child Carrier ($229.95)
made of shock-absorbant, waterresistant rubber. Topeak’s Babyseat III
($159.99) offers lots of
features and adjustability
at a good value.
Worried about carrying such
a heavy load? Some cargo bikes
come with electric assist for an
extra boost when pedaling.
burley d'lite
topeak
babyseat iii
WHAT’S A LONG JOHN?
Also called a “Bakfiet,” this bike style is very popular in Europe.
Because of their size, though, they are difficult to find in great
numbers on shop floors in the U.S. That said, if you look around,
you can find shops in many bike-friendly cities that sell them.
Cetma Cargo is a brand built in southern California. They offer three
different sizes; the most popular is the Largo ($4,395) with space for
two or three kids, plus room for groceries. cetmacargo.com
cetma cargo bakfiet
Do you get sticker shock looking at prices of the ways to commute
with kids by bike? Consider the following:
» It costs an average of $9,519 a year to operate a mid-size car.
(Source: AAA)
» 50% of all trips Americans make are 3 miles or less, 40% are 2 miles
or less, 28% are shorter than 1 mile. (Source: PeopleForBikes)
What if you invested in some kid-carrying gear and took a few of
these trips via bike? Just think of the longer-term savings. PLUS,
you’ll leave less of a carbon footprint, you’ll get exercise and you’ll
always find a free parking space!
29
©TanyaDueriPhotography
HOW TO
BIKE STYLISH
IN A SKIRT
Avoid the dreaded ‘flash’
with these easy tips
I get this question all the time:
“I would bike, but…how would
I wear a skirt and ride without
flashing everyone?”
My answer: It’s simple! Here are a few
tricks to make pedaling in a skirt—
no matter what the length—a breeze.
F
irst, a quick discussion about the type of
bike you ride: If you have a step-through
frame (a bike with a dropped center tube),
biking in a skirt is much easier. If you have the
standard triangle-framed bike, you have to get a
little creative.
Here are my top tips based on
the type of skirt you want to wear.
Mini-Skirt or Pencil Skirt. Since these are
often tight, I recommend choosing a stretchy
option that will allow for more comfort and
flexibility while you ride. If your skirt is super
short and tight, one option is to hold down the
center of the skirt to your seat with one hand
while you ride. There is no getting around the
awkwardness of this move and it can be tricky
and possibly dangerous, so I recommend wearing
short spandex shorts underneath your skirt to
avoid flashing your skivvies. Bikie Girl Bloomers
are a fun option (bikiegirlbloomers.com).
Knee-Length Skirt. These are the easiest skirts
to bike in with enough material and coverage to
easily avoid flashing as you ride. Wind can be an
issue with these skirts, so consider investing in a
skirt weight (visit TandemNY.com for more on
this cool product), or check out the “Penny in
Yo’ Pants” video on YouTube. When you get off
your bike, scoop the skirt material between your
legs so you avoid flashing.
Long Skirt. Tie the extra material in a knot at
the side of your thigh so it doesn’t get caught in
your pedals or bike chain. When you dismount,
hold the material between your legs or find a wall
or an alleyway to hop off your bike near your
destination. Remember, flashing a wall is fine!
Now throw on your cutest skirt and get out
and bike stylishly!
By Jeanne Eisenhaure
Jeanne Eisenhaure writes about being bike stylish
on her blog BikeStylish.com.
27
What Do I Need?
Probably the easiest tour of all, a bike
overnight is most often a one- or twonight bike trip from your front door (or
launching from a place you can drive
or take a bus to). The beauty of a bike
overnight is that you can use whatever
bike you have handy and organize your
trip around the bike, your fitness level
and where you want to go. A simple bike
overnight involves taking a credit card,
toothbrush and maybe a change of clothes,
and riding light to a hotel or hostel nearby
for an overnight stay. If you have a rack
on your bike, you can strap on a camping
kit and ride to a campground for an
inexpensive escape.
How Do I Get Started
TWO-WHEELED
VACATIONS
Planning a bike overnight
One of my favorite family stories is Jeff
Moser’s 10-mile trip from home to a
nearby state park with his wife, Kristy, and
son, Charlie. It turned out to be their best
family camping trip ever, and got them
hooked on bike travel.
Over time, I’ve come to realize that many people
have bikes—or at least easy access to one—and
yet not that many folks use it for one of the greatest
experiences you’ll ever enjoy: a bike tour. The usual
reason I hear is that their bike isn’t the “right kind”
for a bike trip, or they don’t have all the gear needed
to travel by bike.
“I had been reading Joe Kurmaskie’s book
Metal Cowboy, Tales from the Road Less
Pedaled, a collection of essays about his
bicycle travels around the world, which
got me yearning for my own two-wheeled
adventure,” shares Jeff. “So my wife and
I decided to plan a bike overnight to a
nearby state park with Charlie.”
If that’s your thinking too, here’s some good news:
A wonderful, refreshing bike trip with minimal
hassle and maximum fun is available to you right
now. The bike overnight.
Chuck Haney
By Jim Sayer
No matter what your approach, check out
BikeOvernights.org for how-to articles
and packing lists, and dozens of stories
for inspiration. They include the simple
kind of overnights described above, and
a whole host of others, including luxury
overnights and big family gatherings. In
fact, the biggest category of stories covers
family trips, and bike overnights are a
convenient, economical way to introduce
kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews to the
wonders of bike travel.
The family had a good mix of camping
gear and was able to use their existing
bikes, along with a Chariot trailer, to carry
everything. “Since we weren’t going too far
away, I figured we could carry a surplus of
stuff and not suffer too badly,” says Jeff,
laughing that next time, though, he would
hold off carrying a 5-pound Presto log.
The Mosers took their time
pedaling, and once at the park,
they set up camp and enjoyed
dinner and a beautiful evening by
moonlight, falling asleep to the
howls of coyotes in the distance.
“On the way home the next day, I
was already thinking about where
we could go next,” says Jeff.
“Since we
weren’t going
too far away,
I figured we
could carry
a surplus of
stuff and not
suffer too
badly,”
says Jeff.
Elle notes that planning a short
trip helps ease the fear of heading
out on a grand adventure. With
only a couple of nights on the
road, it doesn't really matter how
light your bags are, whether you
forgot something or need to find
the time to train. “We might
not have looked much like ‘real’
cyclists, but we had plenty of
food, warm clothes and bikes that
worked well enough,” shares Elle.
“And we were able to experience
the local beauty at a pace that we
could absorb it all in.”
Elle and her friends also took
their time. “We stopped as
often as needed and had plenty
of chocolate to stave off any
bonking,” she says, adding, “It
was an incredible feeling to share
that with my friends and watch
their love for bike touring grow.
We had the chance to catch back
up, tell new stories and sing as
loudly as we possibly could while
riding uphill!”
That’s a useful reminder from a
friend of mine. I can’t tell you
the number of people who tell
me they are going to try a bike
trip, but never do. The reasons
are legion, from lack of gear
to lack of time. But now you
know: bike travel is as simple as
hopping on a bike, any bike, and
riding a few miles to a nearby
campground or lodge. Don’t let
excuses get in your way. Commit
right now to taking a bike trip in
the next couple of months. Set a
date and destination, and invite
friends or family. Once you try
your first bike overnight,
you’ll wonder why you never
tried one before!
Jeff Moser, wife Kristy (above) and their son Charlie
enjoyed a bike overnight to a local state park.
Read more stories on
fun bike overnights at
BikeOvernights.org.
Share your stories on
our Facebook page.
“One of my most favorite vacations
was a 40-mile weekend trip with two
of my dearest friends,” says Elle.
Photos: Elle Bustamente
Elle Bustamente is another
fan of bike overnights. She
and her husband and two kids
have done numerous fun trips
together. Elle decided to plan
a camping overnight with two
close girlfriends. “One of my
most favorite vacations was a
40-mile weekend trip with two
of my dearest friends,” says Elle.
“Neither of them had really been
on a bike in a while, but still
were willing to follow me on
this mini-adventure.”
Photos: Jim Moser
Getting Your Friends
in on the Ride
Don’t Wait, Life is
Not a Dress Rehearsal
A fan of bike overnights, Elle Bustamente (far right) planned a
fun trip with two girlfriends, Bekah (left) and Marnie (middle).
Jim Sayer is Executive Director of
the Adventure Cycling Association
(AdventureCycling.org), which produces
state-of-the-art maps, organizes tours,
advocates for better cycling conditions
and publishes Adventure Cyclist magazine.
One of his favorite bike overnights was to
Yellowstone Park with his teen daughters.
Highlights include having loads of time to
talk (and groan) while they climbed 7,000
feet on Beartooth Pass, enjoying a cramped
hotel room and a pretty lame Adam Sandler
movie, and cruising the streets of beautiful
Red Lodge, Montana, and finishing with a
Mexican food and ice cream feast.
29
©Wil Matthews 2013/Abus
Protect Your Ride
By Becca Heaton
4 great bike locks, plus locking dos and don’ts
F
ace it, having your bike stolen stinks. Close to
190,000 bikes are stolen in the U.S. every year,
and that doesn’t include the incidents that go
unreported. It’s important to lock your bike.
A good lock offers two types of protection: visual
deterrence and a longer, louder effort to break it. That’s
why you’ll hear people singing the praises for U-locks.
They look tough and take longer to saw through. Cable
locks are more affordable, but they can be clipped with
a single effort—if a thief has the right tools.
30
BIKELIFE MESA
So consider this: The more money you invest in a
good, sturdy lock, the harder it will be for a would-be
thief to steal your bike. And a new bike costs a heck
of a lot more, too. No lock is completely foolproof,
though. That said, the following four locks will help
protect your bike from the bad guys.
10,000 lock combinations
blackburn angola
combo cable lock
The Kevlar sheath around this cable
lock’s hardy braided steel makes
the Angola 50 percent harder to
cut for would-be bike thieves. And
the price is right for commuting.
$29.99, blackburndesign.com
LOCK SMARTS
It’s a brutal reminder to come back to your
bike and find your wheels missing. Even
worse is finding just one locked wheel
and no bike. Opportunistic thieves look for
unsecured or improperly secured bikes.
WRONG!
Courtesy of Ann Chanecka/Tucson
CABLE LOCK WITH KEVLAR TO
INCREASE CUT RESISTANCE
Folds up like this
SECURITY OF A U-LOCK WITH
THE FLEXIBILITY OF A CHAIN
abus granit
x-plus
bordo 6500
Extension for
odd-shaped
bike racks
Made of hardened steel, this accordian-style
lock makes it easier to secure your bike in
sometimes awkward or tight places. It’s
simple to carry too: the lock folds up and fits
in a carrying case that attaches to the frame
via Velcro straps or screws into bottle-cage
mounts. $149.99, abus.com/usa
A U-LOCK WITH EXTRA REACH
Securing your bike in the city is changing
with different styles and shapes of bike
racks. To accommodate this, the Mini+ has
an extender that allows for more variety in
how and where you lock your bike. Lock
your bike frame to a bike rack, and capture
either your front or back wheel with the
extender. $85.95, kryptonitelock.com
WRONG!
DON’T lock just your frame or just
your wheel to the bike rack. Bicycle
thieves can (and likely will) remove your
wheel and steal the rest of your bike—or
vice versa. Also make sure your bike
cannot be lifted over the top of the object
to which it is locked.
RIGHT
kryptonite
messenger mini+
Launched with a
Kickstarter campaign
A NEW TAKE ON THE
STANDARD BIKE LOCK
This lock may not be right for
your old refurbished commuter,
but if you have a nicer ride to
protect and appreciate good
design, this sleek new lock may
be worth the money. What we
love: A father-son engineering
team designed this solid,
titanium lock to complement the
beauty and simplicity of bikes.
$159.99–$199.99, tigrlock.com
DO Lock BOTH the frame and your
wheel to the bike rack. If it’s easy to
release your front wheel, place it by the
rear wheel and lock both of them with the
frame to the rack.
tigr
125 bow
lock
DO lock your bike in a high-traffic
area, ideally with a constant flow of
people going by and good lighting (at night).
DO register your bike and serial
number with a local registration
service or via the National Bike Registry
(nationalbikeregistry.com). Take a picture
of your bike, too.
31
[ RESOURCES ]
Meet Your LOCAL BIKE SHOPS
Looking to buy a new bike? Does your bike need a tune-up?
Have questions about where to ride? Your local shop can help.
See our full list of bike shops on the next page.
PARAGON CYCLING
1106 N Gilbert Rd. // paragoncycling.com
Jim Hash
Owner Ray Kidd’s love for cycling started
when his father gave him a bike for his
5th birthday. “I started Paragon in 2004
to encourage everyone to discover the joy
of cycling and share my excitement for
this healthy lifestyle and sport,” says Ray.
As a result, his staff is always available to
offer up general information, give honest
opinions or recommendations on specific
products, provide a quick adjustment or
full service on your bike, or help you find
the perfect new ride.
TWO WHEEL JONES
917 S Signal Butte Rd. // twowheeljones.com
Lights Camera Love Photography
Two Wheel Jones is a family-owned
neighborhood bike shop open since
April 2008. “We believe that bike fit is as
important to your riding experience as the
components that drive your wheels,” says
owner Travis Jones, “so we offer professional
fitting services with all road bike sales, or
we’re happy to fit you on your existing
bicycle.” The shop is also proud of its
community involvement, hosting weekly
Saturday rides, monthly mechanic clinics,
quarterly skills and drills clinics, plus
nutrition, coaching and training services.
FREERIDE BIKE CO.
3640 East Main St. // freeridebikeco.com
“We support a lifestyle that incorporates
cycling into your everyday life,” say owners
Brian and Ashley Morris. In 2010, they
started the “Freeride Bike Co.” brand and
their own line of bicycles. “As a family, we
love to ride and live the ‘cruiser’ lifestyle,”
they share. The Morris’s shop offers their
own brand of beach cruisers and fat tire
bikes, along with several other bike brands.
The shop is also full of accessories, from
colorful tires and comfy saddles, to bells,
baskets and bling.
32
BIKELIFE MESA
GLOBAL BIKES
Four locations in the Southeast Valley // globalbikesbikeshop.com
Alan Lepak always knew he’d own a bike
shop, particularly after working in shops
all through high school and college. He
opened Global Bikes in 2001, and now
owns four stores. “We’re known for our
lifetime free service for bikes purchased
from us and we have something for
everyone,” says Alan. Along with retail
and repair services, Global Bikes has a nonprofit, Trips for Kids Phoenix, to expose
underprivileged kids to mountain biking.
The shops also offer free maintenance
clinics and group rides, plus a range of
presentations on nutrition, stretching
and more.
4
CycloMesa – El Tour de Mesa
perimeterbicycling.com/el-tour-de-mesa
CycloMesa – Mesa Adventure
Cycling Challenge
mesaadventurechallenge.com
22
24
25
City of Mesa Bike2Work
Day and Earth Day Festival/
Pancake Breakfast
mesaaz.gov/mesarides
Whiskey Off-Road Race, Prescott
epicrides.com
Chandler Family Bike Ride
chandleraz.gov
MAY
Glendale Family Ride
glendaleaz.com/transportation/
glendalefamilybikeride.cfm
City of Mesa
CycloMesa – El Tour Criterium
mesabikerace.com
City of Mesa
Phoenix Spokes
People Bike Prom
phoenixspokespeople.org
2
Chino Valley Grinder
azgravelrides.com
Arizona Bike Club
Desert Classic
azbikeclub.com
Brian Leddy
City of Mesa
april
calendar
bike shops
groups
Adventure Bicycle
Company
2336 E. Baseline Rd.
480-649-3394
adventurebicycle.com
Blazing Saddles Ride Club
Group road and mountain bike rides for all levels. Skills and
maintenance clinics, too.
meetup.com/bike-masters-bikes-direct-blazing-saddles-ride-club
Archer’s Bikes
1530 N. Country Club Dr.
480-275-5818
archersbikes.com
Bikes Direct Mesa
1545 South Power Rd.
480-981-8901
bikesdirectaz.com
Bike Masters Gilbert
2244 East Williams Field Rd.
480-857-7000
bikemastersaz.com
DNA Cycles
2031 N. Power Rd.
480-924-2453
dnacycles.com
Electra Bike Shop
1545 S. Power Rd.
480-428-2349
Freeride Bike Co.
3640 E. Main St.
480-981-2453
freeridebikeco.com
Mike’s Bike Chalet
5050 E. University
480-807-2944
mikesbikechalet.com
Paragon Cycling
1106 N. Gilbert Rd.
480-830-1620
paragoncycling.com
Performance Bicycle
1155 S. Power Rd.
480-832-0034
performancebike.com
Gravity Riders Organization of Arizona
Advocacy, rider education and trail work. The gravity rider
community includes downhillers, freeriders, all-mountain riders,
dirt jumpers and BMX riders of all ages.
gravityridersaz.com
San Tan Shredders
Group rides for mountain bikers of all levels.
meetup.com/santan-shredders
Tempe Bicycle Action Group (T.B.A.G.)
Working to make bicycling a prominent, safe and convenient form
of transportation and recreation in the region. Also host group
rides and events.
biketempe.org
We-Cycle-USA
Help kids and adults in need recycle and refurbish bikes.
wecycleusa.org
Two Wheel Jones
1917 S. Signal Butte Rd.
480-380-8222
twowheeljones.com
33
[ THE FINAL MILE ]
changing
habits
By Dan Baum
Training yourself to travel via two wheels instead of four
Studies by the British New Economic
Foundation reveal that “cyclists find their
mode of transport at least as flexible and
convenient as those who use cars, with
“… ask yourself,
Could I do this
on a bike?”
lower stress and greater feelings of freedom,
relaxation and excitement.” The trick is
training yourself to reach first for the bike
helmet instead of the car keys.
Doing so is largely a matter of challenging
your assumptions about how life has to be
organized. Think you don’t have time to
get around by bike? For trips of three miles
or less, riding is about as quick as driving
because side streets and paths through
parks make it easier to avoid stoplights,
and you can zip right past traffic. The
workout you’ll get around town on a bike
might even save you a trip to the gym. You
may not be able to buy a week’s worth of
34
BIKELIFE MESA
groceries and pick up the dry
cleaning all in one bike trip,
but that can be a good thing.
When life slows to the speed of a bike, you
don’t try to do too many things at once.
To make the leap from car to bike, don’t
demand too much of yourself. Your job
may be too far to bike to, but what about
your local supermarket, the hardware
store, the movie theater or the post office?
Instead of hitting these places while
driving home from work, try going home
first and getting the bike; it’s a great way
to unwind and move your body after
sitting all day. Put your helmet where
you usually leave your keys so as you
reach, you can ask yourself, “Could
I do this on a bike?”
It’s a matter of developing the habit,
and studies show that it’s never too late
to break old ones and develop new ones.
The Society for Personality and Social
Psychology has found that it takes from
15 to 254 days to develop a new habit,
and that it’s easier if you use a natural
disruption in your life—moving, a new
job, a vacation—to change one habit to
another because the cues on which your
habitual behavior relied disappear. Even a
small change presents an opportunity.
You’ll need, of course, a bike that you’ll be
comfortable riding. It doesn’t have to be
brand new or cost a lot, but it should fit
you and be in good shape. Your local bike
shop can help.
Your local shop can also help you with
the extras: a rack to hold either baskets
or panniers to carry things; a good lock;
a helmet; lights for front and back; and
for wet streets, fenders. I got creative and
zip-tied a seven-dollar lockable tackle box
to my rack, so I have a secure place to
Illustration by Mike Reisel
C
limate change, fitness and the
price of gas are good reasons
to transition from car to bike,
but the best reason is that using a bike
for commuting or errands is infinitely
more pleasant. When you ride, you have
the breeze in your face, and you notice
all kinds of things—from lawn art to
sprouting crocuses—you miss from behind
a windshield. You feel connected to
pedestrians and playing children, and you
arrive at your destination with no parking
hassles, your blood full of oxygen.
keep lights, tools, a spare tube, a reflective
windbreaker and a credit card.
Once equipped, start exploring alternatives
to the big, fast roads. Side streets, parks,
schoolyards and alleys are a parallel
universe that you may never have seen
before, and they can get you across town
with surprising speed.
Start slow. Choose nice days. Do one
errand at a time. It’s a head shift as much
as anything to switch from car to bike.
But it’s worth it.
Dan Baum is the author of four books and was a staff
writer for The New Yorker. He and his wife, Meg, enjoy
biking, and use bike share to explore a city whenever
they can.
GET
ACTIVE!
DISCOVER NEW LOWER
PRICES ON OUR BEST SELLING
LIFESTYLE AND YOUTH BIKES!
WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING YOU FIND YOUR PERFECT BIKE!
Bikes Direct Mesa
1545 South Power Road
Mesa, AZ 85206
480-981-8901
www.bikesdirectaz.com
Bike Masters Ahwatukee
4802 E Ray Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85044
480-598-3373
www.bikemastersaz.com
Mikes Bike Chalet
5050 E University
Mesa, AZ 85205
480-807-2944
www.mikesbikechalet.com
Sonoran Cycles Tempe
725 S Rural Rd
Tempe, AZ 85281
480-968-1008
www.sonorancycles.com
GIANT-BICYCLES.COM/GATEWAY
Giant Scottsdale
2902 N 68th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-773-7706
www.giantscottsdale.com