The Chainlink

This week Grid Chicago talks with Oboi Reed, founder of the Pioneers Bicycle Club, a new South Side group with the goal of helping more African Americans enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of cycling:
http://gridchicago.com/2011/oboi-reed-from-the-pioneers-bicycle-clu...

Reed talks about his own "healing journey" through biking, the history of the club, and his ideas for getting more South Siders on cycles.

 

What do you think can be done to increase the amount of cycling south of Madison? More lanes, paths and racks, more bike education and the eradication of "bike shop deserts?"


Keep moving forward,

John Greenfield

 

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There's a large number of people on the trail well into the southside, I don't usually go past 31st (mostly due to the constructing of the Marina).

 

Favorite quote"

And I found that when I’m exercising, when I’m eating right, when I’m socializing with family and friends, I feel better than I’ve ever felt before. Bike riding is a way to get two out of the three in one shot. And I love being on the lakefront, being out in the early morning, 7, 8:00 in the morning, the sun is peeking out over the clouds, you’re looking at the blue sky and what appears to be this infinite water, the waves. And you’re seeing beautiful people working out, exercising, smiling and saying hello to each other. And it really has helped me to heal. It truly has made a difference in my health."

 

 

Yeah, the guy has a way with words. Definitely a good prescription for healthy living!
Stopping the violence and shootings that happen everyday!

I think it would be good for more people who live south of Pilsen to come to MBAC meetings, become staff members at CDOT, and volunteer/work for Active Transportation Alliance. When I worked at CDOT, I was the only person who lived south of 16th Street. 

 

When people in positions of authority rarely ride somewhere (like the south side), it's difficult for them to be aware of what's going on, without being informed by someone else. 

This situation is similar to that of having a CTA president who rides the CTA to work. If CTA staff don't ride their own system, how are they going to experience the things that its customers dislike?

I meant to say, "when I worked at the CDOT Bicycle Program, I was the only staff member who lived south of 16th Street". I know there are other CDOT employees who live south of 16th Street.
We definitely need more people from the south side involved in bike advocacy, especially south of Hyde Park.  There are times when I feel like there are only a few of us speaking for many disconnected individuals and groups of south side cyclists.  There are significant gaps in the south side bike route network, and these are a big obstacle to getting more people riding for transportation.  Long dark viaducts and poor pavement conditions under those viaducts are a big piece of the problem.  Bike shop deserts are another.

Hey Riders, 

This is Oboi Reed, the subject of John's wonderful article about The Pioneers Bicycle Club. I can't thank John enough for his beautiful words!

As a native Southsider, please count me in for participation in bike advocacy here in Chicago, around the country, and worldwide. I am new to the community of bike advocacy but I'm clear on what I see and what I experience as a rider living on the Southside of Chicago. And I love this stuff, as bicycling and community health is truly a passion of mine!

Feel free to message me for my contact info. Alternatively, John knows how to reach me as well.

Thanks so much for the great feedback on the article and the important discussion on Southside cycling.

Take care and talk soon!

Rock on,

Oboi 

thanks Mike!

Mike Zumwalt said:

There's a large number of people on the trail well into the southside, I don't usually go past 31st (mostly due to the constructing of the Marina).

 

Favorite quote"

And I found that when I’m exercising, when I’m eating right, when I’m socializing with family and friends, I feel better than I’ve ever felt before. Bike riding is a way to get two out of the three in one shot. And I love being on the lakefront, being out in the early morning, 7, 8:00 in the morning, the sun is peeking out over the clouds, you’re looking at the blue sky and what appears to be this infinite water, the waves. And you’re seeing beautiful people working out, exercising, smiling and saying hello to each other. And it really has helped me to heal. It truly has made a difference in my health."

 

 

So great to have you here! Thanks for all you do, I think it's wonderful.

Olatunji Oboi Reed said:

Hey Riders, 

This is Oboi Reed, the subject of John's wonderful article about The Pioneers Bicycle Club. I can't thank John enough for his beautiful words!

As a native Southsider, please count me in for participation in bike advocacy here in Chicago, around the country, and worldwide. I am new to the community of bike advocacy but I'm clear on what I see and what I experience as a rider living on the Southside of Chicago. And I love this stuff, as bicycling and community health is truly a passion of mine!

Feel free to message me for my contact info. Alternatively, John knows how to reach me as well.

Thanks so much for the great feedback on the article and the important discussion on Southside cycling.

Take care and talk soon!

Rock on,

Oboi 

the pleasure is all mine, thanks much Julie!

Julie Hochstadter said:
So great to have you here! Thanks for all you do, I think it's wonderful.

Olatunji Oboi Reed said:

Hey Riders, 

This is Oboi Reed, the subject of John's wonderful article about The Pioneers Bicycle Club. I can't thank John enough for his beautiful words!

As a native Southsider, please count me in for participation in bike advocacy here in Chicago, around the country, and worldwide. I am new to the community of bike advocacy but I'm clear on what I see and what I experience as a rider living on the Southside of Chicago. And I love this stuff, as bicycling and community health is truly a passion of mine!

Feel free to message me for my contact info. Alternatively, John knows how to reach me as well.

Thanks so much for the great feedback on the article and the important discussion on Southside cycling.

Take care and talk soon!

Rock on,

Oboi 

Anyone who would like to do a south side ride this Saturday is welcome to join the Major Taylor Cycling Club's ride.  The more, the merrier.
Please pick some specific areas where you think that lanes or greenways could be feasible and helpful, and write to CDOT asking for them.  We need more people speaking up for bike infrastructure on the south side to send the message that, if they build it, we WILL come.

Daniel G said:
I'd love to explore more of the south side, where my mother grew up, but there needs to be more lanes. Or greenways/bikeways! I'd hang around the south side as much as possible if the whole place were wrapped in greenways. The north side bike infrastructure is adequate at best, at least the south side has a chance to start from scratch.

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