Shreveport bike culture is in a renaissance, providing you the chance to create, shape, and define the bike culture of your city, and in doing so, create a more attractive, healthy place to live. Sometimes we are given the opportunity to create something great. We are given the chance to create what we want. Who are we to let these opportunities pass us by? Do you remember when we did not have airplanes? No, you don’t, because the Wright brothers got off their rumps and did something about it. Sometimes we are afraid of looking ridiculous, or being called crazy. As for me, I know I’m crazy, so I’ve nothing to lose. I’m just trying to show you that crazy is good. Realllly good.
Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race. – H. G. Wells
I moved to Shreveport, I got frustrated, then I got motivated. I had moved to a city that did not facilitate something I desired, so, I created SBC Bike Social. At first, I just saw it as the easiest way to find others who felt the same way I did about bikes, and bring them together. I have quickly realized, however, that there is much greater potential here than just some random meetups and friendly cruises (although that will always be the core of the group). SBC Bike Social is an approachable and open facebook group formed with one simple goal in mind, to get butts on bikes. It’s our motto. Bikes make us happy, and we want to share that joy, because happy butts are good butts, I always say
“Building a bicycle culture in Shreveport will take a number of strong voices. We need to advocate for safer, accessible routes that connect people from their homes to their work, school, shopping, and social events. As Queen so deftly sang, ‘Get on your bikes and ride!’” –Regan Horn
We support good, local eateries, music venues, and art things. We ride bikes and drink beer, if you don’t like beer, water is fine too. If you want to mash up a hill (there’s only 5 in Shreveport), join us. If you want to cruise to brunch, join us. If you want to geek out and commute to work, please, join us. This is a group for all ages and skill levels. For all interests and all walks of life. I believe bikes are a universal equalizer, and I want to show you what I mean. Come to Critical MASS “also known as” Critical MANNERS, where we will show you how to safely cycle Shreveport and have fun doing so. Columbia Park @ 6:30 on the last Friday of every month. Be there!
“Using a bike instead of a car is not that hard if you try to live, work and play (socialize) in the core part of town whe
re the neighborhood streets all connect to the next neighborhoods. You can also travel coast to coast as a bike tourist.
The key to safety is following the rules of the road and use a mirror and vest. These are designed to prevent getting hit by cars. Helmets, not so much.” –Maurice Loridans
“Bicycles are the noblest invention of mankind.” William Saroyan said that. I’m with him, here we have an extremely simple device, its passenger is its engine, and it’s fueled by donuts and beer, if you so choose. I believe bicycles will become more prevalent than cars in the near-future, as we make our transition to the next sources of the world’s energy. Many people and many cities have already realized this, as recent college graduates and motivated citizens are flocking to these more attractive, bike-friendly locales.
Enter Shreveport, an old city with some young spunk, and a nonexistent bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure. Times have changed, and they keep changing. There are certain things people desire to exist in their prospective or current city, and Shreveport has been painstakingly slow in providing them. The frustrating thing is, and I think I speak for a lot of people, is the great potential that we all see. Especially in terms of bike culture, Shreveport is extremely bikeable, it’s flat, traffic is minimal, and the weather is tolerable year-round.
“A city that is bike friendly is a city that values community, culture, and forward progress.” –Nathan Melton
As you begin your journey into bike commuting, safety will undoubtedly be your biggest concern. Commuting by bike is much easier than you may think, and there are many things you can do to make yourself safer. The first is to realize that you only have control over yourself. It is entirely up to you to watch for cars, pedestrians, and potholes. If you assume that a collision is likely, you will find yourself always prepared for the worst scenario. This doesn’t mean that all drivers are terrible people,, it just means that you are difficult to see.
So how do we cyclists stay safe? How do we brave the streets and the rushed traffic, day in and day out?
- Lights, and good ones. Bright lights can be seen for miles, and allow you to see and be seen. Front and rear lights are required by law.
- Helmets are not required over 12 years of age, but your brain is fairly important to life function, so think about it, before you can’t.
- Take the Lane! This is a practice I preach, over and over again. Do not be intimidated by cars behind you, Take the Lane! so that cars are forced to pass you when it is safe, not on a hill or in a curve, putting you between a ton of metal and a curb, with nowhere to go.
- Wear bright, visible clothing, and avoid driver’s blind spots. Also, leave early or a little late to avoid times where the roads are more congested.
- Stats: because, ya know, we love them. Fifty one percent of commutes are less than 10 miles (one-way) and a fairly astounding .4 percent of trips are made by bike. Yeah, there’s a decimal there, .4 percent.
These points are made to show you that bicycling is indeed a viable transportation option. It’s a lot easier to pedal that 15 mile round trip across town, hills and all, when you are prepared and vigilant. Did I mention you can skip the gym session? “Bicycling for 30 minutes at a speed between 12 and 14 mph helps a 175-pound person burn about 346 calories,” according to HealthStatus. Do some research, or save some time and learn from an established #bikegeek like me, and get out there.
“The biggest misconception of cycling is that it is dangerous, especially in Shreveport, which is not the case. Sure you can’t go
on Youree, Kings, or Line, but there are lots of connecting streets that are wide and shaded with low speed traffic. The saying “safety in numbers” is apt in describing why we need more people on the streets. The more cyclists that take part in our community, the more alert and respectful drivers will become, even though they are already quite courteous.” –Garrett Johnson
Here is your chance to help create something great. Sure, you could move to one of those big cities where your favorite things are already happening, or, you could create them. Which will you choose?
