Reclaiming a Community's Pedal Identity
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Alex Campbell
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Alex Campbell's Discussions
August Critical Mass?
5 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by M'Lynn Sep. 7, 2008.
Alex Campbell's Page
Profile Information
- How many days of each week during decent weather do you ride your bike?
- 6-7
- What kind of bike do your ride most often?
- Hybrid
- Do you feel the Grand Traverse area is safe for bicycling?
- YES
- What is the single biggest issue concerning you as an avid bike rider in this community?
- Inaccessible/unfriendly areas of the city.
Biking in the news
radio anyway: snow can't stop us
Finally today, portraits of winter bikers. It’s becoming, well you can’t say a fad, but a little more popular than in past years to ride your bike all year round. Some do it for the exercise or a way to experience the outdoors. Some as an expression of their environmentalism. Some because of necessity. And still others just to be hardcore. But all of them seem to love it. I talked with three with week and put together this snapshot of what it’s like to be a year-round biker.
7&4 News: Winter biking becoming a trend
"I ride my bike because it's enjoyable," says bike commuter Bob Otwell.
For nearly 20 years, 55-year-old Bob Otwell has been riding his bike to work and pretty much everywhere else.
In the summer, and even in the winter, despite the frigid temperatures.
"The cold is just a matter of wearing the right clothes," says Otwell, "The average car cost about 7,000 a year. You can use that money on vacations, or a new bicycle."
While some pedal their way to save money, others do it to save the environment.
"I've been careless for 6 years so the bike has gradually grown on me," says Lou Blouin.
Lou Blouin says it's a way of life, and sort of an obsession
"I pull my bike out shake it off, shake the snow off, then I hop on, and I'm outdoors enjoying it in a way that all those people out there driving aren't," Blouin says, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
7&4 news asked Blouin if he ever planned on getting a car again. "No, probably not... alot of my co-workers say it's really great that your doing that, and I say yeah what's your deal, you live like 8 blocks from here why are you driving."
TV 7&4's Graphics Operator Alex Campbell, takes biking to work to another level, conquering the hill on the westside of Traverse City everyday.
"It's just part of my route, I don't think too much of it," says Alex Campbell.
It's been part of his routine for the past two years, and his dedication, rain or shine, makes him a standout in the cycling circle.
"People say 'hey, you're really hard core,' but Alex is really hard core," Blouin says, "I mean 72. I won't even bike that in the summer, but he bikes it 5 days a week in the winter."
"I don't think I am," Campbell says, "but a lot of people think it's dangerous, but it's really not, people do crazier things in cars.
Finally today, portraits of winter bikers. It’s becoming, well you can’t say a fad, but a little more popular than in past years to ride your bike all year round. Some do it for the exercise or a way to experience the outdoors. Some as an expression of their environmentalism. Some because of necessity. And still others just to be hardcore. But all of them seem to love it. I talked with three with week and put together this snapshot of what it’s like to be a year-round biker.
7&4 News: Winter biking becoming a trend
"I ride my bike because it's enjoyable," says bike commuter Bob Otwell.
For nearly 20 years, 55-year-old Bob Otwell has been riding his bike to work and pretty much everywhere else.
In the summer, and even in the winter, despite the frigid temperatures.
"The cold is just a matter of wearing the right clothes," says Otwell, "The average car cost about 7,000 a year. You can use that money on vacations, or a new bicycle."
While some pedal their way to save money, others do it to save the environment.
"I've been careless for 6 years so the bike has gradually grown on me," says Lou Blouin.
Lou Blouin says it's a way of life, and sort of an obsession
"I pull my bike out shake it off, shake the snow off, then I hop on, and I'm outdoors enjoying it in a way that all those people out there driving aren't," Blouin says, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
7&4 news asked Blouin if he ever planned on getting a car again. "No, probably not... alot of my co-workers say it's really great that your doing that, and I say yeah what's your deal, you live like 8 blocks from here why are you driving."
TV 7&4's Graphics Operator Alex Campbell, takes biking to work to another level, conquering the hill on the westside of Traverse City everyday.
"It's just part of my route, I don't think too much of it," says Alex Campbell.
It's been part of his routine for the past two years, and his dedication, rain or shine, makes him a standout in the cycling circle.
"People say 'hey, you're really hard core,' but Alex is really hard core," Blouin says, "I mean 72. I won't even bike that in the summer, but he bikes it 5 days a week in the winter."
"I don't think I am," Campbell says, "but a lot of people think it's dangerous, but it's really not, people do crazier things in cars.
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