Mind c-My
Even in this city of bicycles, cycling responsibly is key
Eugene
offers many
resources for
individuals
interested in
human
powered
transportation
Commentary
David
Niles
Whether you ride season
ally or year-round, Eu
gene is a great place for
bicycling. Bikes are
everywhere and in so many different
varieties: recumbents, tandems, tricy
cles, bikes for hauling loads, bikes
that fold, bikes no one would want to
steal, trailers, trailer-cycles and on
and on. People use them to commute
or compete, for recreation, for medita
tion and to earn a living.
Not surprisingly, bicycles — pound
for pound the most efficient form of
locomotion—are also manufactured
here. Eugene is a city of bicycles.
In Eugene, it is easy to ride down the
street and feel like you are part of the
community—not just a bike commu
nity, but the general community. Try
that in most other American cities,
and you may quickly feel like you are
a nuisance for car drivers who feel that
bikes belong in playgrounds and not
on the road. So celebrate that you are
in Eugene and that bikes belong.
Being part of a community that sup
ports cycling comes with some re
sponsibility.
First and foremost, know how to ride
safely and lawfully. When you are rid
ing in the street, your bike is a vehicle,
just like a car. Same road, same rules.
Red means stop. Nothing does more
to tarnish the image of bike riding than
seeing someone on a bike blow through
a red light or a stop sign. This spring,
we are fortunate to have around cam
pus a bike riding officer from the Eu
gene Police. She will be helping to re
mind people of our city's expectation
for people to ride safely and lawfully.
Same road, same rules, same fines.
We hope that people driving in cars
are respectful and skilled when shar
ing the road with bikes, but that is not
always the case. Do not be compla
cent. Be predictable and visible when
you ride. Bike lanes are only a painted
line, not a physical barrier.
Another part of the responsibility of
riding a bike in Eugene is the knowl
edge that you can take with you if you
leave. I hope you will not be satisfied
if riding a bicycle is not a safe option
where you choose to live or work.
Your knowledge, skill and genuine
enjoyment for riding a bike is a power
ful model for change and emulation.
Give respect and get respect. Bike
riding is good clean healthy fun. It is
your lifetime fitness membership.
Same road, same rules, more fun.
Whatever your interest in cycling,
Eugene has something for you. Here
are some points of interest:
■ Bicycle maintenance class at EMU
Craft Center—fills up fast.
M Lane County Bike Map—brand
new, available at bike shops.
■ GEARS—noncompetitive group
rides. Call 345-3181.
■ UO Cycling Club—racing/training.
■ UO Outdoor Program—group off
road riding opportunities.
■ Burley Cycling Classic—July 2 -5
tandem stage race, July 4 criterium on
campus.
■ Portland Bike Show—latest in
gear, March 13-14.
■ Human Powered Parade—in June,
fun for all ages. How about a UO sec
tion?
■ C.A.T. — a nonprofit with many
volunteer opportunities 344-1197.
■ NW Auto Auction—auction of
bikes recovered by Eugene Police,
April 3. Call 689-3901.
■ peoplemoving@lists.uoregon.edu
— an email list server of information
on campus transportation issues.
■ Eugene Bicycle Coalition—advo
cacy group. Call 345-2110.
■Travel Affordances—a new uni
versity program offering incentives
for faculty and staff to use human
powered transportation, spring 1999.
David Niles is the bicycle coordinatorfor
the University.
14 styles, to choose from
youi-"
amphibious needs
and desires.
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