Writing and photo by Daniel Woolfolk
Stefanie Cafferel logs between 18 and 24 miles a day commuting to her Pima Community College classes and work. Aaron Johnson rides about six miles to his PCC classes. Both endure the cars, the potholes and the heat—and both recommend it.
“I like being in the open air,” Johnson said. “I think people let themselves get too soft to the heat and climate.”
Tucson is one of six U.S. cities with a gold rating awarded by the League of American Bicyclists for being bicycle-friendly.
The only higher rating is platinum. Just two cities, Portland, Ore., and Davis, Calif., have earned platinum ratings.
The league takes into account factors such as having a full-time bicycling coordinator, education resources and engineering like the Diamondback Snake Bridge downtown that helps cyclists bypass dangerous areas.
Having a reputation as a bike-friendly city can raise property values while promoting business growth and tourism, because the city is viewed as having a higher quality of life, according to the League’s Web site.
Despite Tucson’s reputation for being bicycle friendly, accidents do occur. Two cyclist fatalities occurred in August and September.
Officials are taking steps to protect bicyclists. The city recently installed a bright green non-slip area in the bike lane at North Mountain Avenue and East Grant Road to deter motorists from crossing into the bike-lane during right turns.
Tom Thivener, program manager for the Tucson Bicycle & Pedestrian program, said the Mountain-Grant intersection is one of the city’s busiest. Officials will be watching to see whether they want to expand the green markings to other intersections.
Pima County and the Tucson Bicycle & Pedestrian program jointly offer free bicycle safety classes. Participants who finish receive complimentary items such as helmets, lights and locks. For information and registration, interested cyclists can call 243-BIKE. Motorists are also encouraged to attend.
“I encourage motorists to be more aware,” Thivener said.
Eric Ryberg, a cycling advocate who blogs about local bike culture and safety at Tucsonbikelawyer.com., said his goal is to make cycling as safe as possible and to get as many people on bikes as possible.
“The reality is, as time goes on, more people will be riding their bike,” Ryberg said.
PCC student Cafferel said she has not had any bad bicycling experiences in Tucson, though she did have a minor crash while commuting in New York City.
“I usually try to be very aware,” Cafferel said. “You can’t count on anyone else seeing you.”
