One more bike
Posted on 12. Mar, 2010 by Tony Arranaga in Featured, News
I’m hearing this more and more: I’m getting a bike! A handful of friends either just purchased a bike, or are in the process of getting one. Those who know me know how excited I get when I hear people turning to pedal power for their commute to work. More on that in a second, but first some bike related news:
The folks who plan Critical Mass events in Phoenix are organizing another one at the end of the March (here). I went to the one last month and it was a blast! My friend Bryan and I were takin’ back the streets with fellow car-free friend Kathryn, her boyfriend Steven and another friend of mine, Taz. There were at least 50 cyclists that gathered at Steele Indian School Park and rode en masse through Midtown Phoenix for several miles during rush hour traffic. The group rode past a car dealership, which I think may have been on purpose? Anyway, as we passed the dealership, some bicyclists yelled out ‘don’t do it’ to a customer looking at a car. The salesman had fun with it and pulled out his business cards and tried to hand them to us as we drove past.
Joking aside, the event is geared toward showing the general public there is a growing bike presence in Phoenix, to help motorists become familiar with sharing the road with bikes and to also make new friends with similar interests. The ride takes about an hour and a half, and even though the sun will set later, be sure your bike has a front and rear light since it might be dark out when you pedal home. A light sweater or jacket and beer money might be a good idea as well, since a few of us went out for dinner after the event. On that note, I’ve noticed alot of people buying bikes. Friends Nina, Amy, Meghanne and another Tony recently purchased their own. I know my friend Taylor is in the market for one and my other friend Tonia just put down a deposit on this beauty! While I would like to take credit for this, alas, I think this bike buying craze is just more people realizing that bikes are a fun way to get around Phoenix and hang out with friends. What’s your take? Do you plan on buying a bike?
One last thing, Google maps has come out with a version for local bike routes and Phoenix is on the map! The folks over at wired.com are looking for people to review the application. I’m in Florida for this weekend, so I’ll have to give Google maps for bikes a whirl when I get back, however I plugged in two coordinates from my place in Downtown Phoenix to my favorite restaurant in Midtown. I noticed the directions weren’t clear during the first part of the route but then took me on a regular bike route along major streets and to my destination. Have you tried using the program Phoenix? What do you think?
10 Responses to “One more bike”
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Taylor K
12. Mar, 2010
I can’t wait for bike dates. I just found a super cook Schwinn on craigs list. tut tut for bike rides!
Tony Arranaga
13. Mar, 2010
We have so many places to explore. I think we should go to Postino’s on our first trip!
Ryan G.
12. Mar, 2010
Very interesting that you posted this.
Maybe it’s the weather changing but I’ve also been planning a “what kind of bike should I get” post.
I’ve been car-free for years (for the most part), but just realized that a bike would make necessary chores a lot more enjoyable.
Tony Arranaga
13. Mar, 2010
Awesome! As Taylor mentioned above, you can find some great bike bargains on Craigslist which is where I found my bike.
Obviously, I use my bike alot. However, I’ve found that delivery services are a much more efficient way to get errands accomplished. They are quick, convenient and basically someone else is doing the leg work for you. I know, that sounds lazy, but delivery is really the way to go during the summer months.
Danny
16. Mar, 2010
Holy Pinata picked up a new bike Friday at Erhardt’s Schwinn in Tempe, then brought it back downtown on the train and rode it all weekend. So far, four days without driving a car. It’s all good, but the pinatas are still learning how to balance on the bike.
Did you all know that you can ride bikes in the PHX Zoo? It’s an easy trek from the Priest Light Rail stop. Another great reason to have a bike in PHX during spring, along with the “Bars on Bikes” routes (Postino, St. Francis, Maizie’s, Hula, G&D, FEZ, Durant’s, Cheuvrant, Portland’s, Lost Leaf, Sens, Hanny’s, Rose & Crown, to name a few). So many stops, so little time (before it gets too hot). Enjoy!
Tony Arranaga
16. Mar, 2010
How does a website pick up a bike? And I thought Holy Pinata was a shirt, not an actual pinata? I’m confused.
Danny
17. Mar, 2010
Great question, Tony. Holy Pinata is a shirt company that was created to support PHX. However, we do have six actual pinatas as mascots that can be spotted around town and throughout AZ. They even have names, such as Chuy and Cotton. Here’s a pic of Chuy learning how to ride a bike around the office… http://www.flickr.com/photos/holypinata/4441255242/
We are in full support of the Light Rail and cycling, and all you do to promote it, which is why we’re teaching the pinatas how to ride.
Tony Arranaga
17. Mar, 2010
That’s great! I would love to learn more. You should really get in touch with me about meeting up for coffee. I like to meet business owners in person before I talk about them on my site.
Kerry
16. Mar, 2010
I have a goal of being able to bike from the light rail station in Mesa down to my sister’s house since the bus doesn’t run that far on the weekends. Got to get cracking on that goal!
Tony Arranaga
16. Mar, 2010
Good luck, Kerry! Let me know how it goes!