By Allie Gavette
Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life is not only a place to purchase bicycles, but is a great example of a local business getting heavily involved in the Eugene community. A goal of Paul’s is to figure out how to get more people riding, and to improve the convenience and safety for riders of all ages.
Paul's won "Best Bike Shop/Repair" in Eugene for 2009-2010
Some people at Paul’s have jobs specifically focused on Community Outreach. One of these important people is Paul Adkins (not to be confused with the namesake of the shop, Paul Nicholson), who also happens to be the President of Greater Eugene Area Riders. GEARs is a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes bicycle riding for both transportation and recreation. They work with the community to coordinate weekly rides, provide safety and skill education, defend the rights and responsibilities of bike riders, and overall, work to enhance the bicycle culture in Eugene and its surrounding area.
Luckily, the city of Eugene (like another bike-friendly city—Boulder, CO) seems to share the same values in promoting bicycle transportation and recreation. Although there is always some opposition in providing funding for new developments, Eugene has a hard-core group of bikers who are willing to endure the rain and other obstacles to ride. There are already great trails around the city and its surroundings, and drivers are respectful of the riders, for the most part. Paul points out that a lot of drivers are also bicycle riders, so they can understand and respect their alternative mode of transportation.
In fact, Paul has noticed that more and more customers are choosing bikes in exchange for car transportation. People are looking to reduce their carbon footprint as well as making the conscious choice of a more active and healthy mode of transportation.
The City of Eugene is looking to follow in Portland’s footsteps using the Smart Trips Program, which is a direct marketing technique that involves people going door-to-door in neighborhoods, making sure people understand their options of alternative transportation already available to them.
Paul’s has had a hand in recent community activities: neighborhood block parties, complete with a “bike rodeo” and tune-ups; classes at elementary schools; bike maintenance workshops; commuting competitions for local businesses; and the upcoming Kidical Mass, an event put on by GEARs, which promotes awareness that “Kids are Traffic too,” and educates families on how to involve their children on rides.
The next class at Paul’s is titled Art and the Zen of Bike Maintenance, and will be held on Feb. 2nd, 6:30-8:00 PM.
Boulder Bike Story
Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life
Greater Eugene Area Riders
Kidical Mass
SmartTrips, Portland
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