26 February 07
Davis: Whither Cycling?
We just got back from a presentation and panel discussion on the history of Davis as Cycling Capital of America, and of the fact that its status as such is in doubt — unless we do something about it.
There are over 95 miles of bikeways in this town of 65,000. That’s impressive. Yet fewer people are choosing to ride their bikes into town to shop; fewer students ride their bikes to school. A well-subsidized bus system ferries students into campus and back out, at the cost of about $350 per student; considerably less would be needed to increase the quality of bike facilities and routes per person.
The event has made me determined to make more grocery runs by bike. I’ve become a fair-weather cyclist, a far cry from my Boston snow bike-commutes. We’ll be watching what this new grouping comes up with in terms of solutions and suggestions. It’s easy, and it really makes a difference…
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When I lived in Davis, I used to ride my bike into town and campus whenever the weather allowed. But while the town boasts many miles of bikeways, once a rider gets into town, it’s dangerous traveling. Supposedly it is a town where the drivers know to look out for bicyclists, but I rarely felt safe trying to get around in downtown Davis.
Good to stop by here again. How are both of you?
Having moved to one of the most inconvenient places in Japan and havig no car my reliance and cycling has now become a necessity. I now bicycle about 30 minutes one way just to get to the supermarket and so bicycle about 20 kilometers a day. What a far cry from living in Tokyo where I can walk for about five minutes in any direction and find a train station with trains coming every five minutes waiting for me. It’s good to be back in the saddle, but the spring storm the other day with winds so strong I could barely make headway sometimes makes me question my sanity.