Bike-assisted Walking

Bike-assisted walking is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon meandering around a neighborhood. Especially a neighborhood that is a little too far to reach on foot.

I don't know about you, but I am a fanatical walker. I would rather walk that use any other form of transit. Unfortunately, walking isn't the fastest way to get around and I get pretty tired of wandering around my own neighborhood. Maybe where you live is a little more exciting, but sometimes you just want to be somewhere else.

Being somewhere else in Chicago is very easy. The city is a veritable United Nations. A trip down any major thoroughfare exposes you to a myriad languages: signs in Spanish give way to Polish, Russian, Arabic, Serbo-Croatian, Korean, Hebrew, Thai, Hindu, and many, many others. A short bike ride opens up dining options from cuisines around the world. Look at a map, and see where a two to three mile bike ride will take you. I've ended up in all sorts of areas: Edgebrook, Lincolnwood, Devon Ave.,  Andersonville, Lincoln Square and Avondale, and enjoyed menu samplings from Ireland, Poland, India, Sweden, Greece, Middle East, Brazil and Thailand, to name a few.

Of course, many people drive to their destination and then walk. But there is something unappealing about getting into an overheated car on a glorious afternoon and sitting in traffic, and then looking for parking when you get there. You might as well be going to a mall. I'm talking about exploring real neighborhoods at your own pace, and with wind in your hair.

You don't need a very fancy bike to do this. In fact, the more basic your bike the better. Old three-speeds work really well, especially with rear baskets attached. But use any bike with panniers, baskets, milk crate, or a backpack on your back, and you're good to go. And forget about bike clothing. Just wear your regular stuff and shoes you can walk in.

A bike really expands your roaming range. For example, the closest little neighborhood shopping area to where I live is about two and a half miles. Yes, I can get there on foot, and often do, but a round trip is a fairly long walk, and I rarely have the time, leisure and energy to go much beyond that. With a bike, I can ride that distance very quickly, lock up, and explore the offerings of the neighborhood: library, hardware store, consignment shop, toy store, local grocery store. At this point, after fortifying myself with a latte, I still have plenty of time and energy to wander another mile and a half to an area that has two bookstores -- new and used one -- and several other establishments I like to frequent.

A bike also expands your carrying capacity. I don't have to worry if I buy too many books, or take too many from the library, even if I also need some groceries. If you throw a couple of bunji cords into your bag, there is really no limit to what you can carry, be it a pair of shoes, a ream of paper, a bulky toy for your kid, or a thrift-store find.

After walking back, I might get lunch at one of the local restaurants, or treat myself to ice cream at the corner shop. And, even if I'm a little tired at this point, I'm glad I made room for a long, unhurried walk, and now am only a short bike ride away from home.

Comments

[2whls3spds]

Two thumbs up!

We own a small retail shop in a smallish town (9k or so population and about 12 square miles) I can be anywhere in town in under 10 minutes by bike...why drive. Walking is even nicer on a cool evening. Surprisingly I am probably only one of maybe 5 bike riders.

Chicago has always intrigued me, I have had older relatives from that area and was always fascinated by their stories. All are dead and gone now, but the stories of the "streetcar suburbs" still linger.

One day a visit will be in order!

Aaron

[MichaelB]

I love the "Happy Foods" sign. I lived in Chicago until 8 years ago, and the sign always reminded me of the "Value Ape" signs in the Dan Clowes graphic novel, "Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron" - giving a bit of mystery and creepiness to the otherwise cheerful logo. Dan Clowes did live in Chicago at one time, and I've often wondered if Happy Foods was the inspiration for Value Ape.

[Justyna]

Higher gas prices are putting more cyclists on the road. Many of my neighbors are dusting off the old bikes sitting in their garages and coming to us for advice. Maybe once they try it, they'll realize it's not too hard. Congratulations on launching your blog.
As to the Happy Foods sign, I just think it's such an incongruous landmark in an otherwise stodgy neighborhood. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the graphic novel you refer to, but I can see how that giant smiley face would be an inspiration for something bizarre.