Do Kids Ride Bikes Anymore?

As a youngster growing up in the Bay Area during the 1940's and 1950's, bicycles were an integral part of my life. My friends and I rode our bikes to and from school, after school, on weekends, and always over the long lazy summer vacation. For much of this period, my friends and I had "Longhorn" handle bars that permitted us to "ride" a friend (particularly when it involved a girl!) on the bike as we tooled around our community. All we needed for riding our bikes was a t-shirt (boring white or with stripes...believe it or not there were no messages or advertising on the shirts in those days), jeans, sneakers and, if necessary, a jacket. I am, of course, speaking here for the "guys." Girls also rode bikes but not nearly as much.

So, where am I going on this? Who cares about my bike riding a generation or two ago?

My point is that bikes are still very much in use but primarily by adults. I seldom see children riding their bikes, and if they do ride them, it is primarily on the block where they live or if they are lucky, at a designed competitive bicycle facility. Few children ride bikes to school: either the bus takes them or it's the family car driven by a somewhat harried mom or dad prior to heading off to work. After school, weekends and holidays find children in their homes (or the homes of their friends) playing video games, watching television, on the computer or on the telephone.

Parents worried about the safety of their children may also contribute to the lesser amount of recreational bike riding. Parents worry about both the potential danger from automobiles and also about child abduction. I don't think any of us worried about child abduction when I was riding my bike as a youngster.

The opposite seems true for adults. Many more adults are on bicycles than when I was young. Many ride my Fresno street since it is a great getaway from Fresno to Woodward Park and/or the foothills. Some, particularly couples, ride shorter distances for fun and exercise. Others, like me, use them to get to work (I ride to the nearest FAX stop, place the bike on the front of the bus, take off the bike at bus stop near Fresno City College where I teach, and then ride to my office). Some adults ride bicycles because it is their only form of transportation.

To its credit, the City of Fresno has significantly expanded the number of bike lanes. This is, unfortunately, not always easy to do or welcomed by homeowners and businesses along streets where added bike lanes mean less on-street parking. The reality is, however, that Fresno will continue to press for more bike lanes (Full disclosure: I certainly did when I was a member of the Council.)

I am saddened at the decrease in bicycle riding by youngsters, but cheered by the increased bicycle riding by adults. In a perfect world, I would encourage everyone to ride a bike, receive wonderful exercise and in the process spare some of the air. And parents, please pry the remote from the hand of your children and send them outside.

Be an activist by contacting your council member and ask for more bike lanes. Contact the City Clerk to volunteer to serve on the City of Fresno Bicycle Commission.

You don't have to be Lance Armstrong to go biking!

Coming Soon. . .

1) A neglected slice of Fresno finally gets city water.
2) Fresno's choices on high speed rail and rail consolidation.
3) What's with this "Clunker" deal? Comments are welcome.

Click on "Comments" below or e-mail me at abriancalhoun@gmail.com.