It can be hard to pick out a favorite toy from childhood, but for many people the first thing that comes to mind is the bicycle. Whether it had a pink basket on the front or old baseball cards stuck in the spokes to create that “flip, flip, flip” sound, the bike can be considered the most enjoyable toy anyone had growing up.
It was by far the fastest and most sensible mode of transportation available to anyone under the age of 16. So when each generation hits that magical age and the incredible automobile becomes the new stallion, the bicycle is left to rot in the garage next to the lawnmower and snow shovels.
Now, traffic, road construction, and high gas prices are causing more Americans to return to their old companion. According to Crain’s New York Business, 500,000 American cyclists take to the streets every day to engage in this ecologically and economically friendly form of exercise. People find that certain commutes which don’t require highway travel are passed more pleasantly on a bicycle. Locally, the University at Buffalo and the city of Buffalo are taking steps to make this alternative form of travel safer and easier.
Pain at the Pump
Two years ago, when consumers started dishing out more than three dollars a gallon at the pump, many recognized the need for a major shift in transportation methods. In that year alone, The New York Times reported that many bike stores across the nation saw sales skyrocket for bicycles commonly associated with commuting. Breezer, a national bike retailer, for example, manufactures “transportation” bicycles—some that even have the capacity to fold up—that accentuate comfort and easy riding. Their sales rose 33 percent that year and doubled those of the previous summer. Chris Hornung, the chief executive of Pacific Coast (the largest distributor of bicycles in North America), said that sales of their travel-friendly bikes “jumped off the Richter scale” in the wake of rising fuel prices and Hurricane Katrina.
It’s easy to see that there’s a softer blow to the wallet with bicycle commuting as opposed to the cash-draining automobile. Touring bikes are recommended by experts for city travel due to their larger wheels, longer wheelbase, and general asphalt-friendly features. These average about $700 in nationwide bike outfitters like Performance Bicycle and Nashbar.
Eric “Biff” Bifaro, Buffalo resident and self-proclaimed bike enthusiast, replaced his first car with a bike when the costs of getting to work became too outrageous for an 18-year-old. “I have a really nice bike that I got for a couple hundred dollars. If I had a car, between the gas and maintenance, I’d probably be paying that much a month,” said Bifaro.
If it’s too troublesome waiting for a bike to be shipped, there are a handful of local shops that carry bikes appropriate for city transport. Handlebars at 685 Englewood Ave. offers Trek brand bikes ranging from $390 to $1550. Shickluna, at 1835 Hertel Ave., carries Giant and Felt brand bikes at about $200 for a lower end model to $1,000 for a more advanced setup. Bert’s Bikes and Fitness, one of the larger shops in the area, is located at 1550 Niagara Falls Blvd. While Bert’s has a wide range of cycling options, two of their major commuter bike brands, Fuji and Electra, are a little pricey, ranging from $550 to $1,000.
Just looking to try out biking without a major investment? There are dozens of used bikes being sold on Buffalo’s Craigslist, ranging in styles from BMX to mountain, souped-up choppers to vintage cruisers. Prices start at $50 for a fixer-upper.
Parts and maintenance on a bicycle amount to a tire or two every season, and a tube every couple months. Most shops provide free tune-ups if the bike was purchased there, which are, compared to the cost of automobile maintenance, very inexpensive at $30 to $50. When riding on
two wheels, there is no worry about gas prices or oil changes. The only energy required comes from the rider’s own two legs.
That energy can be used to burn off Ramen noodles and late night vending machine binges. The Washington Times reported that a 175 pound rider, at a moderate ten miles an hour, burns about 525 calories in one hour. Make that a round trip, and you’ve burned 1,050 calories—not bad for time that might have been spent in traffic or at stop lights.
Biking in Buffalo
Inspired by the cycling subcommittee of the Environmental Task Force, UB unveiled its new initiative in August 2007 to promote a bicycle-friendly campus and encourage automobile drivers, especially those who drive solo, to consider the benefits of cycling. In cooperation with the city’s bike-lending program, Buffalo Blue Bicycle, UB started its first bike registration program, installed racks capable of securing about 300 bicycles between the two campuses, and added bike racks to all the UB Stampede buses.
Instead of forking over that $700 for the latest in city-conquering bicycle technology, it is now possible to donate $25 or six hours of volunteer work fixing and maintaining bikes to receive a combination that unlocks one of the Buffalo Blue Bicycle’s refurbished bikes. The seven UB hubs can be found on the Spine, at the downtown medical campus, among South and North campus, and at the residence halls and apartments, but hubs are also scattered throughout Buffalo State College and downtown. While rentals are only good for two days, participants are allowed an unlimited number of rentals. Maria Wallace of UB Parking and Transportation said that the last of the Buffalo Blue Bicycle hubs should be installed by this week.
The “Bicycling at UB” campaign is also beneficial for those who already own a two-wheeled vehicle. Registering online is free, and the campaign pledges to discourage bike thieves, help in the recovery of stolen bikes, and allow UB to gather information about community cyclists to create events and foster improvements. And registering won’t come back to haunt bike owners, either: bicycles that are parked illegally receive only a card with a soft reminder of the locations of the nearest bike racks. No worries about a twenty-dollar parking ticket that UB police would happily slap on a car.
It’s a Group Thing
The last Friday of every month is home to Critical Mass in cities across the world. Critical Mass is an organized bike ride that takes place during rush hour to raise bicycle awareness and help promote the safety of self-propelled commuters. The idea came about in San Francisco in the early ‘90s when a group of bicycle enthusiasts began riding home together from downtown. The movement gained notoriety in 2004 when they blocked traffic and wreaked havoc in New York City streets to protest the Republican National Convention.
Critical Mass claims to have no real rules and no correct interpretations of its ideology, although the group is associated with the environmental agency Time’s Up. There is no one in charge. In Buffalo, “Massers” meet in Niagara Square at 5:30 p.m. on each month’s last Friday and ride around Buffalo “en masse.” The number of participants varies, sometimes gathering huge crowds. To find out more about this event, visit www.critical-mass.org.
Bifaro saw Buffalo’s many bike supporters rally around the rights of cyclists when Critical Mass and the Buffalo police went head to head in Spring 2003. After a debacle ending in, among other things, the throwing of a bike and the biting of an officer’s finger, Bifaro was arrested on a variety of disorderly conduct and harassment counts. He saw the light at the end of the tunnel, however, when fellow bike rights activists stood up and defended the lifestyle he holds dear.
“There were nine of us arrested, and I was one of them. It was totally ridiculous and out of line. They tried charging us for starting a riot, which can put you in jail for ten years,” said Bifaro. “But the community support was amazing. We even had pro bono lawyers defend us at the trial. I think in the end it was a positive thing, because it raised a lot of awareness.”
Another bike-riding organization meets weekly in Buffalo, but these bikers add a slightly eccentric and alcohol-tinged aspect to their gatherings. Every Sunday night at midnight, a devoted group of bicycle and beer aficionados gather at Essex St. Pub on Rhode Island St. and explore Buffalo for what can be a long time, usually until morning. Calling themselves “midnight mass” or “drunk kids on bikes,” the group prides themselves on camaraderie, sharing bike knowledge, and to a certain extent, drinking and driving.
Fighting the Winter Blues
Biking is a good exercise, fun, and infinitely better for the environment than driving, but Buffalo boasts at least five months of winter each year. The Blue Bicycles will not be available in winter because of the impracticality of storing them outside. So, to prepare oneself for the elements, head over to Handlebars Cycle Co. on Englewood in Kenmore. Bob Sobon, owner of the shop, describes the essentials of winter cycling, suggesting a spandex base layer, and his shop carries Pearl Izumi ($45, $85 for outerwear), insulated caps ($25), wind-proof gloves ($40-$60), and shoe covers ($50). While the store promotes cycling year round, Sobon admits that in slush and snow, many bikers opt to take their cars.
Bifaro says that although it can be discouraging to wake up thinking, “I don’t want to go out and get soaked again today,” he thinks that riding in the winter can be very rewarding. He suggests wearing two pairs of socks, bike shoes, layers of t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts, gloves, and scarves. For Bifaro, biking is a source of pride and athleticism.
“I actually feel kind of empowered, like, ‘I live in Western New York, we have insane winters, and you know what—I ride my bike through them.’”
Jill Gregorie is a junior International Studies major and Features Editor of Generation.
