Rad Times For Lakewood Bikers

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Instead of featuring an individual cyclist this issue, I think it’s time to talk about how awesome all of the Lakewood cyclists are as a group, and highlight some of the great things happening in this city.

Cleveland’s first known Bike Move happened last month in Lakewood, as a group of about 15 cyclists moved almost all of Frank Lanza’s possessions from his old apartment to his new one, a distance of about three miles. Using bike racks, panniers, trailers and Extracycles, everything was taken, piece by piece, in a matter of hours. A big thanks goes out to Frank for organizing such an exciting event, and also to the cyclists for their hard, history-making work.

Last week also marked the first ever Lakewood Critical Mass Ride, affectionately known as “Lakewood Sunday Mass”. The first ride was a small one, but we are looking forward to its growth in numbers as it promotes safe cycling and a more positive relationship between cyclists and drivers. Lakewood Sunday Mass will be taking place on the second Sunday of every month, beginning at Lakewood Park (the intersection of Lake and Belle), with different routes planned for each ride. Information on meeting times and routes will be posted on the Lakewood Sunday Mass facebook page, as well as fliers and word of mouth. At least in my opinion, there are few things in life that are as much fun as going on a long bike ride with a fantastic group of people. You should totally get in on this!

The Bike Lakewood group is also getting back on its feet after a brief hiatus, so any interested cyclists who want to contribute to the cycling community can get involved. Bike Lakewood, the sponsor of Lakewood Sunday Mass, will soon be working once again towards safer streets and cycling awareness, as well as bringing cyclists together for group rides and productive discussions to support our growing community of riders. There is also a group of Bike Lakewood riders who are working on collecting excess food from local establishments to donate to shelters in the area. The goal is to have all of the donations picked up and delivered by bike and trailer, and will hopefully be rolling by the time this is in print.

The Cleveland Bike Summit was held on September 10th and 11th as a way for cyclists to come together to speak up about their needs for riding in the city. Issues such as bike lanes, bike racks, and building the cycling community were discussed by city officials, transportation officials, bike shop owners, and riders, as well as educators. Although many of the topics listed will take time to develop, keeping these discussions going is key to success.

Biking is not just a passing fad. As time goes by, more people are making the switch to bicycle in whatever way they can. The positives of riding are seemingly endless, with very few drawbacks. It brings people closer to their community, is a great form of exercise, is a literally zero-emission way to travel, and it just feels fantastic. If you’re a rider, thanks for getting out there and helping to show the cycling presence in this city, and if you’re a skeptic, just give it a try. You might find your life changed for the better by one of the simplest and most beautiful of machines.

Check Lakewood Sunday Mass and Cleveland Critical Mass on Facebook and/or visit www.bikecleveland.org for more info...

...and don’t forget to grab the next issue for a Two Wheels face-off of polar opposite bikers!