Those people forging the way are the daily commuters like Murphy-Walker .
Biking for everyone
Aside from what some may call the " hardcore " year-round cyclists , there are also a wide variety of people who utilize the bike on a regular , but not daily , basis . Bike shops no longer cater solely to the specialized rider ; they now also consider the commuter , a utilitarian rider who cycles with a purpose . Families can use the pathways to make trips around town together , and for students the bike is an alternative to public transit .
The City Cyclery caters to those riders and is centrally located in the Walkerville neighborhood , making it accessible to many by foot . Rather than only sporting the season ’ s new top-end bicycles , The City Cyclery offers new and refurbished transportation models . On the shelves you ' ll find everything from baskets , to mirrors , to paniers , various seats or whatever you need to make the trek .
Explore your community
Wanting to know his neighborhood while encouraging others to pedal is what put Chris Holt ' s life on two wheels . Cycling expands your reach past the limits of walking . Getting on a bike opens up the whole city to you in minutes .
" Something that really appeals to me about cycling is it fosters a deeper sense of community ,” says Holt , co-owner of The City Cyclery . “ You get on your bike and you start riding your bicycle around your neighbourhood , you ' re interacting more with what ' s going on , you ' re open to the sights and smells and tastes . Whereas if you get into a car you ' re insulated , it ' s basically just a point-A to point-B thing ."
Holt and his business partner Ron Drouillard may be soon welcoming a third member to the team , Stephen Hargreaves .
" There ' s potentially the new bridge having a bike lane and if that happened it would be great ," said Hargreaves , " but I think even more importantly when the ferry is in the water , linking downtown Detroit and downtown Windsor , it will be open to pedestrians and hopefully pedestrians with bikes ."
The love affair
The way you feel your legs torque the chain drive and the sound of coasting tires has a very organic and natural feel . Maybe exercise releases the feel-good chemicals , but falling in love with a bicycle is not unheard of .
" Cycling has always been ... sort of the initial freedom that you get as a child ," said Holt . " The vehicle that allowed you to experience a little bit more of your neighbourhood , away from Mom and Dad driving you around ... cycling opened up the world to you ."