Save Money: Ride a Bike Locally.

I’ve decided to try and forgo using my car when destinations are within four or five miles. Ever rising gas prices, especially during the upcoming summer months, and parking fees can be listed as my top reasons for under taking this endeavor. If you, too, are perhaps considering abandoning your gas dependency for a cheaper alternative, read on!

Today I rode from my home in Benteen park to Georgia State University. My stallion? A $100 baby blue Raleigh road bike with quick release front tire.  Thanks Craigslist!  So, it isn’t a Schwinn, but it’s still schweet.

I was a bit leery at the start – McDonough and Hank Aaron Boulevard aren’t exactly the safest areas in Atlanta – but as I kept riding, I begin to enjoy my experiment with bi-wheelism.

Here’s my take on biking in ATL:

The Good

• People think you’re a hipster
• Quicker than walking
• Can park just about anywhere there’s a pole in the ground
• You get to explore areas of Hotlanta you normally wouldn’t pay attention to if you were in a car (I found a cool bar on Memorial called Young Augustine’s which I intend to explore)
• You are saving the environment – really.
• It’s just plain fun
• Did I mention you don’t have to pay for gas?

The Not As Good

• People think you’re a hipster.
• You will most certainly arrive at your destination a little damper than when you left – either from rain or sweat.
• Inhaling car exhaust isn’t as pleasant as it sounds.
• Pot holes, curbs, huge cracks, nails, and small mammals can all pose a threat to your tire integrity, thus making every hard bump a cue for a brief prayer.
• Takes longer to get places than motorized vehicles.
• More prone to assault or robbery than if you were in a car.

Turns out, as scared as I was to leave my protective Ford Focus bubble, I actually had a great open air ride.  My last few minutes of my journey, the skies opened up and I was drenched to the bone – grinning as droplets pelted me in the cheeks.  I think I may start riding my bike everywhere in East Atlanta – perhaps to SOPO to get my co-op on or to L5P to rage Sevenanda – as long as there’s a towel when I get there…and a PBR.

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Sopo Bicycle Cooperative is a non-profit, community-based bicycle repair shop located down the street from the Earl on Flat Shoals Avenue that makes transportation affordable, accessible, and sustainable. 

Hours:

Tues, Wed & Thurs: 7-10pm

Sat: 2-6pm

Contact: info@sopobikes.org