Bike Pensacola holds weekly “drop-in rides,” which are slow 6-mile rides that start at 6 pm every Tuesday, at varying locations. They also host large group rides. The next one is scheduled for May 22 at 6 pm at the Pensacola Mess Hall.
By Marty Camacho
For many, Spring break is a time for beaches – a time where the sand is full of visitors and the seas shine. I understand; it is the perfect timing for a dip and relaxing by the shore after all. As much as it is the perfect time to go to the beach, I realized it is equally as perfect a time to ride a bike and explore.
I lived in a rural area in the Philippines, a country where travelling by cycling is common, especially in rural and suburban areas. Short distance commutes are usually done with two wheels and a pedal, as long as the weather, the heat, and the sun specifically permit. As such, it was a part of my daily life that I missed.
This Spring break, I had the resolve and the opportunity to get back into cycling, and I am glad that I did. I realized just how little I have explored Pensacola, and even just my neighborhood, after cycling through random roads. It really was enjoyable to be able to experience cycling again, especially because I was able to see new and unexpected sights I never knew existed – most of them just within a few miles from my neighborhood. And the experience became an inspiration to share the beauty of cycling with those who might be interested in riding a bike for commuting or recreation.
To do that with credibility, I had a conversation with the director of Bike Pensacola, Christian Wagley. Their organization has been around Pensacola for 11 years, which started through small bike rides that were organized by a group of friends and has now turned into an active cycling community that advocates for safer roads here in Pensacola.
One thing that stood out in our conversation was Christian’s explanation that there are “two Pensacolas.” We have some pre-World War 2 roads, that were designed before cars took over, they feature a connected street grid. This is the part of the city where the main, busier streets are paralleled with quieter, more bike-friendly streets. On the other hand, we have areas that were developed post-war that were shifted away from the connected street networks.
“The important thing is to understand that part of the city. It has different needs in other areas; the street grid means you can ride almost anywhere within that network.”
Christian lives in the pre-war area of the city, and because of that, he can safely do a “utilitarian” type of riding, where he cycles to where he needs to be, whether it be for meetings or to trips in the local stores. His advice is to look at the maps and always look for safer routes, especially for cyclists or those interested in cycling, who live in areas without the street grid.
Unlike Christian, my rides are mostly recreational; I just enjoy how engaged the senses can be when cycling. Aside from seeing the neighborhood at a slower pace than you would in a car, you can feel the wind and smell different things, from flowers in bloom to meals being cooked in the houses you pass. This “joy of being on a bicycle,” as Christian phrased it, cannot be replicated in a car ride, because the world is just a richer place.
As such, it was great news to find out that certain plans are in place in Pensacola to make streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians. One standout is the Sun Trail project – a planned pathway that goes through downtown and Bayfront Parkway, which will be a multi-use path that opens the water for a scenic cycling route. Bikes Pensacola is involved in the project, ensuring that the design will be as safe as it is beautiful.
The organization’s signature project, however, is the Gonzalez Shareway. The street runs east-west from Roundsville to Bayou Texar, where they demonstrate traffic calming. This is a concept in tactical urbanism that aims to regulate and calm traffic through means like speed bumps, barriers, and elevated medians and sidewalks to make it safer for pedestrians.
All in all, it is the perfect time to get into cycling. As we transition from Spring to Summer, it will be easier to go out and enjoy the sun and the outdoors. Just make sure you stay hydrated for the hot days![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]