Posts Tagged ‘Minneapolis biking’

Bike, Walk … Bus?

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Name: Robin Sauerwein

Age: 51

Neighborhood: Audubon Park, Northeast Minneapolis

Workplace: Northrup Auditorium, University of Minnesota 

Robin Sauerwein walks the walk…and buses the bus, and bikes the bike. Every day. Robin uses a combination of walking and MetroTransit buses to get to her job at the University of Minnesota’s Northrup Auditorium. On especially nice days, she rides her bicycle to work. Here’s a bit more about her routine and her advice for others who might be considering bicycling, walking and taking the bus more often.

How did you start walking to work?

My family used to own two cars. When the motor in one of them went in September, we decided not to replace it. Now, my husband has a truck for business, and I walk and take the bus to work. I didn’t have a car until I was in my 20s, so walking is natural to me.

Why did you make that choice?

I’d just rather be moving. I work in an office all day, so it feels good to be outside and moving. It gets me to think more clearly. I write, so a lot of poems and writing come to me while I’m walking. Especially now during the spring, I get to see the plants and hear the birds – those little things that you don’t always notice in a vehicle. I feel more in control of my own time; I’m not frustrated by traffic. I feel so energized and relaxed when I get home at the end of the day. I consider myself really lucky.

How far is your commute to the University of Minnesota?

It’s about four miles each way. On average, I walk about a mile each way to get to the bus. If it’s really nice, I’ll bike the whole way.

What routes do you use to get to work?

If I’m walking, I’ll take the residential streets in my neighborhood to University Avenue and walk down that to catch the bus. When I bike, I go through Dinkytown to get to University Avenue, and then I’ll bike through campus to get to Northrup Auditorium. It’s a beautiful ride through campus.

What are your limits for walking or biking to work?

If it’s really slippery out (in the winter) I’ll take the bus, but otherwise I know how to dress for the weather – lots of layers and long underwear. If it snows, I wear boots. It’s a great workout to walk in the snow.

What’s your advice to others who want to incorporate more walking and biking into their lives?

Really look at the way you’re spending your time. You may not need your car as much as you think you do. If it’s only a mile to the store, what if you walked instead of taking your car? Try walking or biking on those short trips to the store, library, bakery, and so on. Incorporate it into your current lifestyle.

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Amy Duncan–Nice Ride superfan

Monday, June 6th, 2011

The following post is from Amy Duncan, Nice Ride superfan and reborn bicycling enthusiast. Here’s her story.

The last time I rode a bike was in the ‘70’s. I had a tricked out bike for sure. Banana seat, handle bar tassles – training wheels. When the training wheels came off, the bicycle went to the garage and never came out again. In fact, I never touched a bike again. Until last year.

As an employee of The City of Minneapolis, I was eligible for a subsidized Nice Ride 1-Year Subscription. Devoted to employee’s wellness and well being, The City of Minneapolis has partnered with Nice Ride Minnesota to offer this benefit to all their employees. I was intrigued. What if I could figure out how to ride a bike without falling off within 11 feet? Could I conceivably use Nice Ride as a commuting option? I was excited about this and decided to find out. My partner rode a bike regularly, maybe I could too! I signed up and became one of Nice Ride’s inaugural subscribers in September 2010.

I wasn’t nervous. The City of Minneapolis had provided a ton of information about Nice Ride and how the system works. Bike maps, system information, subscription information. It was all there. And no parking hassles or gas worries? I just had to get on the bike and ride.

I gave up my car seven years ago, so I was used to walking from my Elliot Park apartment to the City of Minneapolis offices at City Hall, but now I had a faster and more convenient way to commute. I pulled out my Nice Ride key, unlocked a bike, adjusted the seat, and hopped on. Was I really riding? Yes, I was!  Comfortably positioned on the oh-so-comfortable seat, smoothly pedaling and squeezing the sophisticated braking levers, I briefly thought about those handlebar tassles from long ago, and said, “no, this is absolutely better.” From that day forward, I’ve considered the bike to be my number one commuting option. I learned to ride a bike again and 100 percent of my success belongs to Nice Ride. I can now ride anywhere for miles and miles (to which I am still slightly in shock about) both on a Nice Ride and on my own bike.

And I don’t just use the bike to commute. Sometimes I take the long way home just for fun. I ride for both leisure and to run errands in Uptown, Midtown, Northeast, and around the lakes. I might even try a ride to St. Paul in the next few months.

Even though this year I purchased my own bike, I’m still a Nice Ride 1-Year Subscriber. It comes in handy when I need a one-way ride. Like when it rains—I hate riding in the rain. (It’s true, we’re not all hard core cyclists). Plus, I don’t have to worry about a bike lock or maintenance.

I also like the more active lifestyle Nice Ride offers and I’m happy I finally caught up to my partner’s passion for biking. Nice Ride definitely can create healthier people and give them a chance at a longer life. You just got to get moving! It’s so easy to hop from here to there with Nice Ride. Just get away from your desk and on to the bike!

What would I change about Nice Ride? Not a thing!  I’m pretty much a SuperFan. Well, maybe add some handlebar tassles.

 

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