I have always loved bicycling; the feel of the wind rushing past, the feeling of using your own strength to gather speed, the connection between you and your path. Going to high school in Capitol Hill there wasn’t much need for a car. I walked just about everywhere and took the bus when I couldn’t. Moving to Boulder the trend continued. Crisscrossed with bike lanes and bike paths along the creeks, it made sense to simply bike where I needed to go. I bought my first bicycle as an adult and fell in love. It gave me the convenience of a personal vehicle rolled into the exhilaration of the ride.
It gave me the convenience of a personal vehicle rolled into the exhilaration of the ride.
Moving back to Denver after college, it never occurred to me to buy a car. My habit of biking where I needed to go just made sense. It was much cheaper than a car, more environmentally sound, and I was keeping fit just by going where I needed to be. Now I bike just over five miles each morning to get to the ALC office in Denver. It gives me time to get the blood flowing, get my mind thinking, and start every day with a little bit of joy. I also get a personal view of the places I go. Biking allows me to really see the communities I ride through; to get lost and discover new places. It gives me a first-hand look at how people approach transportation and connects me to changes across the city. The new bikes lanes showing up across Denver show me a deeper awareness for a more holistic and encompassing view towards transportation.
All the environmental and cultural benefits aside, at the end of the day I just love hopping on my bike, the breeze in my face, and pedaling home.
Author’s Bio: Elizabeth Jones