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Bennett Elementary parents and children at Bike to School Day.

Cycling! Fun & Easy

Fort Collins formally established itself in September 2008 as one of the nation’s most bicycle friendly communities with the League of American Bicyclists’ announcement that Fort Collins had achieved a Gold Level designation in the Bicycle Friendly Community program. The Bicycle Friendly Community program rates communities on several levels – honorable mention, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum – based on the efforts to promote bicycling and create an environment of convenience and safety for cyclists. And, with continuing work, the plan is to hit the platinum designation says Dave “DK” Kemp, bike coordinator for the City of Fort Collins Transportation Planning Department.

Fort Collins’ interest in cycling has been growing. Kemp says that figures from the U.S. Census show that, in Fort Collins 5.2 percent of the commuting population travel by bike compared to only .4 percent of the national population. “That’s not taking into account those who bike their kids to school, grocery shop, and do basic errands on a bike. So really, the figure is much higher,” he says.

The increase in numbers relates directly to what Kemp says is an excellent bicycling infrastructure. The miles of bike lanes and trails make it easy. “It’s also safe,” he adds.

And, it’s good business. “The more the City brands itself as a bicycling community, the more people want to live here and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” he says. That branding is good for three things, Kemp says. It builds vibrant healthy communities, supports the idea of environmental stewardship, and encourages a strong economy. “People want to live, work, and play in a community that has bicycling as a form of transportation and a priority because it speaks to a high quality of life.

People are looking to get out of commuting to work by car and want to turn their life around. The reason that some of the local businesses get their top employees is because it’s a great biking town. The great biking infrastructure we have attracts good employees and new employers – it’s a good tool for that.”

There’s definitely a growing environmental and economic awareness. “More people are beginning to realize that relying on motorized transportation is not very sustainable. It’s not healthy in terms of having to wait in traffic on a daily basis and with gas prices and the cost of owning a car – maintenance, insurance, and so on – this is a good way to simplify one’s life.”

Downtown bike rack, part of the “On Street” Bike Parking Project.

Cyclists are learning that commuting to work by bike can be an invigorating experience and, on the ride home, there’s time to decompress, he says.

As more cyclists join the ranks, greater opportunities also develop. “We are continuing to expand the trails. The newest is the Mason trail, which runs north to south along the Mason corridor. It now goes all the way south and under College Avenue to Fossil Creek Park. The Poudre Trail now extends from the Environmental Learning Center all the way to the town of Laporte. Spring Creek Trail goes from Prospect Ponds to Spring Canyon Park.

Next, the City will expand the Power Trail running from Epic Center parallel with Timberline south to Harmony. “And later this year, it will cross Harmony south to Trilby and on to Carpenter.”

Another and very visible change recently occurred in Old Town with the appearance of the new, highly visible, and artistic looking bike racks. The ‘On Street’ Bike Parking Project is a joint project with New Belgium Brewing Company. New Belgium provided the funding for the fabrication and installation of the bike racks. Bruce Hendee & Associates (BHA Designs) designed the bike racks and worked with M&R Fabricators on the creation and installation. Five racks have been installed in various locations around Old Town in an effort to attract more bike parking near businesses that attract a high level of cyclists. The idea is to decrease sidewalk congestion and encourage improved pedestrian flow by eliminating obstacles on the sidewalk.

Not only is bicycling an economic and healthy way to travel, it’s also fun for the whole family. “It’s easier than you think, and more and more people are doing it. Once you get on a bike and start riding, you discover back streets and find it’s an easy way to stay out of traffic. Trails connect all over the place.”

Mountain biking is plentiful in Larimer County.

It’s addicting, Kemp believes. “Bikes become a way of life. You begin to rely more on your bike than you do your car. You can get all kinds of equipment to make bike travel easier, panniers, baskets, bike trailers. You can haul a lot of things, not just kids. It’s an interesting way to move around the community. Car sales are going down, but bikes are still moving.”

Bikes can be found in many different forms these days. Different designs cater to different interest/need levels whether for recreation, commuting, cruising, or the more intense hardcore rides. “The popular ones right now are the commuter styles, more upright, and easy to ride,” he says.

One good way to get started is to get a bike from the Fort Collins Bicycle Library and take a tour. The Library lends bicycles to visitors, students, and residents who want to explore Fort Collins. A variety of self-guided tours from the “Bike the Sites” collection offer riders a Brewery Tour, an Environmental Learning Tour, and the Historic Tour. The Bike Library is centrally located in the heart of downtown Fort Collins in Old Town Square.

For those ready to make the plunge, Kemp suggests visiting a local bike shop. “They have the expertise to help find a bicycle that’s right for you. You can get a good middle of the road bike for about $500 and probably even less expensive than that.”

People come up with many reasons for not riding, but Kemp has answers for those excuses. “If you don’t want to get dirty, get fenders. If you think it will be uncomfortable, get a good saddle. If you start off slowly and build yourself up, within a week, you’ll feel great on that bike.”

Check out the website at www.fcgov.com/bicycling for information on local organizations and clubs, events, bike shops, and more.

• 5/30 Lory State Park Mountain Biking Spring Kickoff – at Lory State Park, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• 6/1 “Got Skills” Kids Mountain Bike Camp – 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.K
• 6/13 Fossil Creek Park Bike Festival – 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• 6/14 Art in Public Places Bike Tour – This bike trip around Fort Collins visits several “art in public spaces” projects.
• 6/22 Sunset Cruiser Ride – 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• 6/23 FC Bikies – 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at New Belgium Brewing Company
• 6/24 Bike to Work Day – 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free breakfast stations throughout Fort Collins.
• 6/24 Downtown Bike Show – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• 6/26 Bike n’ Jazz – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Gardens on Spring Creek.
• 6/27 Bike Prom Night “Bicycling Under the Stars” – 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Bash at the Sunset Event Center.
• 6/28 FC Bike Quest – 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Treasure hunt throughout Fort Collins.