Surprise!!!

 

It all seemed innocent and very low key.  Our local club decided to gather a few people to ride the new cycle track through our downtown area.  The track has, of course, inspired bike haters to complain.  Ignoring the fact that the changes made, reducing and narrowing motorist's lanes, were made for their safety, they focus on the existence of bike lanesto justify their protest. 

 I expected 6-10 people would show up in support of the new cycle track. Instead we found a gathering which rivaled a critical mass ride, well in our community it would qualify.  Over 65 people came and created a very visible crowd of support for the cities new development.

Even non cyclist spouses came out to be part of this transportation sub culture and participate along with the crowd whose ages spanned 6 decades.   

John Knowlton, the club's president tapped me out to drive this bus and I was helped by my two Rivendelian friends, Leah  Peterson and "Doc" Rehkoph.  

It didn't take long for the group to be broken into several groups by the new bike signals which have been installed.   Bike signals are a new curiosity here in Kalamazoo and a major source of conversation among the riders. 

Every kind of bike and rider was represented somewhere in the group. We had a few dedicated roadies, vintage, custom and modern along with Dutch cargo bikes, touring, Big Dummies and trikes. 

After the ride everyone was invited to participate in a survey to be sent to the city, hopefully to be read rather than ignored.  To say it was a successful demonstration of support would be an understatement, hopefully it will help the public accept the benefits they receive from it.