Why Ride a Bike in Boulder?

I know this already, but I'm still amazed when I'm reminded of it. It is often easier to get around by bicycle in Boulder than by car. It is one of the reasons we chose to live here, and it is a major 'quality of life' enhancer. Boulder is just the right size for getting around easily by bike. It is sweet and compact, and very European in that way. I can get to most places I frequent within three miles of my home (which isn't right downtown, either). We have the right weather for riding, too, which helps. The trails and bike lanes here are outstanding, so I think people who live here should ride or walk as much as possible. It would be a shame to not take advantage of the ease of commuting by bike.

My son has a friend who lives two miles from us, and it's a hassle to drive him to his friend's house because the roads are busy ones, with a good deal of traffic and several slow lights. It honestly takes 5 minutes longer to drive between our homes than it does to take the beautiful, easy bike path. I feel that Maximo is safe on the bike path, too, because there are underpasses under those busy streets. He hardly has to be on a street with cars at all, with exception of the few blocks of neighborhood on each end. Recently my husband demonstrated that he was able to get downtown 5 minutes faster by bike than by car, despite part of that commute going right through the heavy foot traffic area of the CU campus.

I love Boulder for the bike lanes, and for the ease of getting around without my car! Even with a family, I still think it is a huge advantage that I have because I live here instead of in one of the suburbs. My kids can ride their bikes to some of their activities, which helps so much. I enjoy running errands on the bike, and my toddler likes riding in the trailer behind me. GO Boulder Bike and Ride Program makes it easy, too, to plan trips around town without using a car.

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