As a Downtowner, I appreciate the fact that I can walk, bike, and take the trolley instead of being constantly dependent on my car. Although I am not quite ready to become completely “car free”, I recognize the importance of making cycling more mainstream for the future of Memphis. We have a lot of work to do in regards to improving pedestrian walkways and increasing the number of bicycle lanes on city streets, but it is good to take notice of the events and organizations motivating Memphians to use alternative transportation.

May is National Bike Month, and in honor of this important month, Memphis is taking part in Bike to Work Day. Events take place daily starting on Sunday, May 16, and continuing until the official Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 21. During this week you can get tips on commuting, take a bicycle tour of Memphis, learn best practices regarding bicycle maintenance, as well as bring the whole family together for a day of learning and games. On Bike to Work Day, everyone is encouraged to ride their bicycle to work. Although many people have a rather long commute, it is easy to supplement the commute with public transportation, since all MATA buses are equipped with bike racks. If unable to utilize public transportation, at least bring your ride to work and bike to lunch!

To celebrate the event on Friday, May 21, there will be both a Bike Expo in Court Square downtown during lunch and a film festival and after-party at the Brooks Museum in the evening. The Expo will feature live music, free bike checks, information about cycling advocacy groups, shopping, and City of Memphis staff members to answer any questions about local ordinances and laws regarding cycling. At the Bicycle Film Festival, films celebrating the joy of bike riding will be featured and the after-party at 10:30 p.m. will be a great place to unwind and connect with other bikers.

As a proud Memphian, I take issue whenever the city is placed on a “worst city for…” list. One particular list that really bothers me is included in the May 2010 issue of Bicycling magazine. Memphis was named one of the worst cities for cycling.  The Memphis biking community is growing and there are organizations that we can become involved with to make a difference and change the face of Memphis cycling. Advocacy groups like Walk Bike Memphis promote ways to make biking in Memphis safer, through education, as well as encouraging bike-friendly legislation and bike lane development. Or Memphians can become involved with organizations that strengthen the biking community such as the Memphis Hightailers Bike Club or Mid-South Trails Association.

The Greater Memphis Greenline is changing the face of Memphis cycling too. With the groundbreaking of the Shelby Farms Greenline in February 2010, Memphis will add 7 miles of additional multi-purpose trails! Companies like the Peddler Bike Shop, Midtown Bike, and Outdoors Inc. can also provide more information about how to get involved.

Bike to Work Day is promoted nationally by the League of American Bicyclists and coordinated for Memphis by the Center City Commission. More information can be found at www.downtownmemphis.com/biketowork.

Stephanie Bennett is a native Memphian who loves Memphis! She grew up in the ‘burbs, went to Christian Brothers University, and currently works as the Marketing and Communications Specialist at the Center City Commission. She serves on the Board of Directors and is actively involved in MPACT Memphis and The Grand Krewe of Ptolemy- Carnival Memphis, and is also a member of the South Main Association. In her “free time” she enjoys working out at the Downtown YMCA, being outside and working on her tan, The Memphis Zoo, happy hours, Memphis Farmers Market, Photoshop, cooking, Downtown Memphis, Twitter, and beer. She lives downtown with her cat June Bug.

bicycle, Center City Commission, cycling, Downtown Green Memphis, Sports & Recreation