How Our Community Benefits from Bicycle Evangelism

By Gary J. Boulanger

May 2001 Spoke `N' Link (DCC newsletter)

Bicycling is awesome. Turn to the person sitting next to you and say: “Bicycling is awesome!” You and I both know the wonderful benefits of riding a bike, and it’s high time we start preaching the good word to our non-believing neighbors.

Certainly, action speaks louder than words. Your co-workers, neighbors, family and friends observe how passionate you are about bicycling, but have you ever asked them to join you on a ride? Are they too set in their sedentary ways to pull the dusty Huffy off the garage hook and join you on the bike paths this weekend? Remember, no one is beyond reach! Here’s a good old-fashioned sermon to get you fired up to share your passion for bicycling:

1.) First, invite your co-worker, neighbor, family member or friend on a short (3-4 mile) ride. Just the two of you. A big group ride would freak them out. You may get some resistance at first, but politely offer to help them tune-up their bike, making sure to lube the chain, air the tires, and properly fit them if they need it. A sweet bribe of grabbing lunch or a snack at the end of the ride always helps.

2.) Most non-bicyclists don’t own a helmet; that’s okay for starters. Who among us wore a helmet when we first started riding? Who among us remembers that functional helmets didn’t exist until the mid 1980s? Let your new potential cycling buddy realize for themselves after a ride or two how important a helmet is to their well-being.

3.) Mentor them, don’t lecture. The maiden voyage should be enjoyable and helpful. Don’t try to dispense too much advice. If they’ve ever ridden a bike, they know most of the essentials. Just remind them to ride with traffic, shift while pedaling, and be mindful of other cyclists on the path or road.

This may seem very obvious to you, but often times devout cyclists take the baby steps of riding for granted. Use polite persistence and be mindful of the beginner’s apprehensions. In time, you may have a convert on your hands, eager to get their hands on every bicycling magazine, mail-order catalog, and DCC newsletter they can find. Be there for them, and let them ask you for advice when they’re ready.

Now go, and be fishers of men (and women). Everyone benefits when you become more of a bike evangelist than a bicyclist.

Gary Boulanger is the new executive director of Bike Miami Valley. He welcomes any suggestions on bicycling-related improvements for Dayton, and can be reached at 937-463-2707 or bikevangelist@hotmail.com. He’s a commuter and avid cyclist, and looks forward to many miles of smiles with DCC members.




Two Wheels, One Voice.