People For Bikes Review
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At Active Gear Review, you guessed it, we review gear and apparel for the active and adventurous soul. Sometimes we do take a look at people, places, events, or groups that are trying to help us get out there so we can enjoy our passions. People for Bikes is one of those special organizations.
People for Bikes! “Say that out loud.” Seriously, “say that out loud right now.” People for Bikes! Doesn’t that sound nice? The bike is something that probably every single one us has a special connection to from childhood. It was the first time we could explore, but more importantly it was a vehicle to freedom. Dad running behind us had to let go at some point, and this meant we could go faster and farther than just the driveway. We were now free to ride around with friends, and visit far-away exotic places like the park, the pool, or the candy shop.
We’ve moved on and drive our cars everywhere. And with it, that feeling of freedom from riding a bike may have dissipated somewhat. Suburban growth hasn’t necessarily helped, but that’s another story (or book) altogether. Many of us have continued on loving our bikes, and there are a host of subculture bike fanatics; fixies, racers, tri-guys, mountain bikers, commuters, and recumbents just to name a few. And they all have their own way of dressing and expressing themselves.
Green Lane Commuting Project
People for Bikes – The Organization
People for Bikes is based in beautiful Boulder, Colorado which as a city is also a true pioneer when it comes to bicycling. Hence, it’s the perfect place for this group to call home. Their simple moto or reason as to “Why We Ride”
We ride for fun. We ride for fitness. We ride to get from here to there, to free ourselves from the daily grind, and to make our world a better place through bikes. Sometimes we ride for no reason at all.
We ride because we love how riding a bike creates a cool breeze on a still morning and how, after a long day at work, hopping on a bike makes us feel like the day has only begun. We ride so that our kids can enjoy the simple pleasure of two-wheeled adventures around the neighborhood. We ride to make familiar places new again.
But mostly, we ride because it’s fun.
People for Bikes is actively involved in various ways to promote their initiatives. It’s main directives are the Green Lane Project, Political Work, Community Grants, and National Partnerships. Their Green Lane Project is a plan to create “protected” bike lanes in American Cities. I have personally ridden on these “green Lanes”, and it’s a super nice, safe, and convenient way to get around town. Their political work is crucial to have a voice in local, state, and national platforms, and to ensure funding for bike related infrastructure. Their Community Grants program is closing in on 300 projects funded over the past 15 years by working with non-profit organizations and local governments. Throughout their existence, creating and maintaining valuable and strong relationships with other bicycle related advocacy groups has been key. National Partnerships have aided in spreading the word and improving bicycling at the local and national level. They have also become a fabulous source for a compilation of resources and a statistics library. Check out the U.S. map to get involved in your local community at www.peopleforbikes.org
“I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride my bike”
Final Thoughts on those People for Bikes
In the end, all bicyclists experience the joy of riding a bike to feel the wind in their face while yearning for that childhood sense of freedom and exploration. No matter what kind of bicycle we ride (my go-to is a Titanium Litespeed Vortex, if you were wondering :-), I feel that we are a special community united by the bike.
People for Bikes are aiming for a goal of 1,000,000 members. Joining is super easy, and FREE. For more information and to sign up go to www.peopleforbikes.org. So seriously, what are you waiting for? Join up and then go for a bike ride!
