The article highlights bike infrastructure, bicycling safety classes and new folks out on their bikes as a result of the program:
Among the new converts is Bonnie Trickey, a 66-year-old mortgage broker who had scarcely mounted a bike in three decades—and was afraid to brave Columbia’s streets. Trickey took a city-sponsored cycling-safety class and now rides through Columbia’s hillier neighborhoods for an hour most mornings. Likewise, Alvin Sweezer, 40, a school custodian, commutes 15 miles each way from his home. Sweezer’s journey begins at 5 a.m., in darkness, and wends up a couple of steep hills and over a potholed country bridge before passing a yard full of dogs who invariably greet him with bloodcurdling growls. Still, he says, “Even if it snows, I ride in. They plow the roads pretty good around here.Columbia's efforts are compared to those of the now famous bike city--Portland, Oregon:
Columbia is still far from equaling Portland’s gold standard, but Mia Birk, once Bicycle Program Manager for Portland and now a principal in a transit-planning firm there, notes: “There’s no overnight magic wand you can wave. It takes a generation to change an ingrained habit like driving, but Columbia is on its way.” From 2007 to 2008, the number of cyclists riding midweek increased by 71%. There are now about 10,000 people riding Columbia’s streets.And yes, it does feature a photo of Mayor Hindman, on a bike, wearing a suit and tie.
Read the entire article at: http://www.parade.com/news/2009/09/27-a-free-wheeling-city.html
