Join the revolution
On Sunday afternoons, anyone in Shreveport- Bossier City can visit The Bike Container located in Shreveport Common (869 Texas Ave.) to talk shop with members of Bike Shreveport’s #BikeGang.
You don’t have to be a pro-cyclist to visit this co-op (or any co-op for that matter, right?). This is a home for commuters, beginners and lovers of bikes. Whether you’re in need of new air in your front tire, a fix on a rusted chain or general conversation about biking in the twin cities, members of the #BikeGang would love to have you and your wheels visit. There are a few regular faces you’ll find at the co-op and on most of the Bike Shreveport rides; get to know a few here, with their official Bike Shreveport titles, beginning with their fearless leader, Mr. Stephen Pederson (also known as @speederson).
Pederson (“Leader Stuff,” of Otis) Q: Why do you bike in Shreveport? Pederson: Because it is the best way to experience the city, meet its people and see its history. Q: What do you enjoy most about the #BikeGang?
Pederson: The fact that I was able to bring people [that feel the same way as I do about bikes] together. It doesn’t matter what else we agree/disagree on; these are some of my best friends in the world.
Q: What do you most hope for cyclists in Shreveport?
Pederson: I just want to see the city support cycling as a transportation option, [complete] with city-supported maps, bike racks and a few routes – mostly signage indicating bike routes through the city. We have a bicyclefriendly city as it exists. Imagine if some effort was put into it; it could have the same national recognition that New Orleans gets for being bike-friendly. NOLA made the choice to put bikes on the map. And that’s what happens.
Q: One thing you will not ride your bike without?
Pederson: A flat-repair kit.
Garrett Johnson (“Adviser/Gram- Getter” of Mandeville)
Q: Why do you bike in Shreveport? Johnson: I bike in Shreveport for many reasons: exercise, ease of parking (especially for festivals), friendship, aesthetic beauty of simple machines, cycling tradition, camaraderie, but when it comes down to it, riding a bicycle is really just an insane amount of F-U-N.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the #BikeGang?
Johnson: The #BikeGang fosters a shared sense of community. Our group ranges from people that want to sight-see along Texas Avenue, leisurely roll to the farmers market, go for a group road ride to see the sunflower fields in Belcher, support local charity bike rides or even compete in racing. There’s something for everyone, at every level of expertise or commitment.
Q: What do you most hope for cyclists in Shreveport?
Johnson: I hope that cyclists in Shreveport will encourage, not only one another but also those who think that there is some physical or societal barrier to simply riding a bike. The Bike Container is a great example of how we can break down barriers to ridership in Shreveport by offering free bicycle repair, maintenance and advice.
Meaux Loridans (“Policy/Wisdom/ Safety,” of New World’s most populous city)
Q: Why do you bike in Shreveport?
Loridans: I bike in Shreveport for fun, health, cost savings and environmental reasons. The grid par of Shreveport is a great place to use bikes for transport.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the #BikeGang?
Loridans: The #BikeGang is a great group/subculture that makes me feel less like a rarity for being mostly car-free.
Q: What do you most hope for cyclists in Shreveport?
Loridans: I’d like to see the Unified Development [Code] place strict connectivity requirements on future subdivisions so that at least a 10’ right of way for bike pedestrians is required in any cardinal direction not otherwise connected to a public street or roadway. This would allow kids and the elderly or infirm to get to schools, parks, libraries and businesses without having to be shuttled by car out on the heavily traveled arterial roads that now connect cul-desac subdivisions.
Jonathan Toups (“Content Manager” of Thibodaux and Baton Rouge)
Q: Why do you bike in Shreveport?
Toups: I ride in Shreveport because I live here. I’d do the same if I lived in New Orleans or Tbilisi.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the #BikeGang?
Toups: I enjoy the people I’ve met.
There’s a core group of us who have the same interests as me. I love riding with those guys.
Q: What do you most hope for cyclists in Shreveport?
Toups: I don’t have any achievable, overarching hope. Shreveport is already a really good town to ride a bicycle. I would love way more hills, but that’s not something that can be changed. I suppose it would be nice for areas of commerce (Youree and East 70th) to be more easily accessed by bicycle rather than feeling like one is gambling with their safety.
Q: One thing you will not ride your bike without?
Toups: I will not ride without a helmet. At one point, I was OK with not wearing it on slow rides, but too much can go wrong for me not to protect myself in the best way I can. The helmet is barely noticeable to its wearer making its use mandatory for me.
Dieter Long (“Photographer/Good Looks,” of Shreveport)
Q: Why do you bike in Shreveport?
Long: I bike for both mental and physical health. Commuting via bike is relatively easy and isn’t harsh on the environment. Plus, it is cheaper.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the #BikeGang?
Long: Selflessness and camaraderie.
The ability to help others without expecting anything in return is amazing.
Meet more members of the #BikeGang at the co-op 3 to 7 p.m. Sundays, or online at bikeshreveport.com.
