Still Riding Despite Being Hit by a Car
As several dozens of local bicyclists prepared for a protest ride around Midtown last Friday, Gabriel Garcia proudly rode up with his blue Mataro fixed gear Aventon, an increasingly popular brand for urban commuters.
“Honestly, more representation for bikes and more bike lanes,” Garcia explained as to some of the reasons for his participation. Garcia says he is hopeful the cycling infrastructure will get better here in Reno, as new construction projects include more bike lanes. “I know that they started doing a project on North Virginia,” he said, talking about current work around the University, which also includes a new bus station. “I think they definitely need to do more stuff, especially in the outer areas like Lemon Valley.” Garcia hit a note that has been resonating throughout the cycling community for some time, as in more bike lanes in the outlying valleys connecting them to the center of the city.
Garcia says he rides mostly for pleasure and enjoys mountain biking as much as riding along the Truckee River. He believes the cycling community here in Reno is strong, but could be stronger. “You just don’t see many riders in the city,” which he says has maybe lost some of its momentum due to COVID and the hazy air brought on by a raging fire season.
Garcia says he has been hit by a car in the past but took equal blame for the incident. “But people need to slow down and watch for riders and not push riders out of the road,” he said. It is a two-way street Garcia feels is improving. He thinks the multi-use lane is a good idea, like the ones with big bicycle symbols in Midtown “especially when you’re riding with more riders.” He says he regularly uses the existing multi-use lane on Riverside Dr. by Idlewild Park.
Jeff Carter has been active in the cycling community for a long time and as a business owner wants more awareness and safety for cyclists.
Hoping to Start a New Tradition
Jeff Carter, the owner of the Glass Die, a board game parlour with craft drinks in Midtown, said he hopes to make the protest ride a weekly one, planning to take advantage of the recently completed construction in Midtown. The lane on Virginia street extending from California Avenue down to Mt. Rose Street is now designed to allow cyclists to use the entire space. Before last week’s group ride, Carter talked about the history of the project and how the community can move forward to make it even safer for riders. There was talk about starting a petition to lower the speed limit in that section to 15 miles per hour.
As the ride began, over 60 cyclists took to the street safely navigating the residential roads up towards Virginia street. When the group reached Virginia street everyone began riding next to one another, while keeping adequate social distance, occupying the entire lane. The group rode down to Mt. Rose Street where the designated lane ends, turned around and continued back up towards California Avenue. This exemplifies the community Garcia talked about. There are several organized group rides in the area during the week and weekends for varying levels and terrains.
Many onlookers and drivers yelled words or praise and honked their horns showing support as the cyclists looped around Midtown.
“I think it’s going to be growing, honestly, booming in the next few years,” Garcia said of cycling’s local growth. He has also works in the cycling industry, with the Reno Bike Project, a local non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and access to cycling.
August 2020 Reporting and Photography for Our Town Reno by Richard Bednarski