Ride Along

I had no idea talking with Jazmin Jernigan would lead to me testing out an electric bike (known on the pavement as an “e-bike”), much less meeting someone who builds them locally. The e-bike I rode on Common Street in downtown Shreveport was a tandem e-bike to boot. But I’ll start from the beginning.

Jernigan is a Shreveport native and has been independently operating Aesthetic Innovations, a marketing and graphic design firm, since 2008. I’ve seen her at multiple events around town, from Cohab events to fundraisers at Great Raft Brewing. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen her not smiling.

Her positive attitude and complementary open mind are probably what led a friend and client of hers, Shaun James, to suggest Jernigan attend a Critical Mass event earlier this summer. (Critical Mass is a monthly cycling event that is held in more than 300 cities around the world. Bike Shreveport hosts it locally.)

“I got involved with Bike Shreveport because Shaun basically said, ‘Come out, you can ride one of mine to get comfortable,’” she said. “And I had a blast.”

Turns out, James is the owner of KoolByke, and he builds e-bikes from the ground up. Jernigan described him as both an enthusiast and connector to anyone who enjoys life on two wheels – be they electric or not.

But for Jernigan’s first ride since age 15, James lent her a one-speed bike – one that would be used for extreme sports, for instance.

“It was really fun,” she said.

“It was fun to be with a group of people that really loved to ride, and everybody was so inviting. There were people who were really knowledgeable there that were really outgoing when it came to helping me get comfortable on the ride. That’s what I enjoyed most about it.”

Since that first ride, James and girlfriend, Sydni, have introduced Jernigan to e-bikes, with her favorite being the “Mardi Gras bike.”

What’s it like to ride an e-bike? “It’s exactly the same as riding a regular bike,” she said. “The tires on the Mardi Gras bike are much fatter, so there’s more stability to it. But you get just as much as a workout.”

What’s more than a non-electric bike, is while the motor is on, you have the option to keep your feet stationary or to continue turning the pedals. This is a key benefit for those with physical ailments, such as problems with one’s knee, including Jernigan. When going uphill, the e-bike allows her to reach the top without too much strain.

Months after her first ride with Bike Shreveport, Jernigan now rides downtown, on Clyde Fant Parkway and through the Highland neighborhood.

“[Before Critical Mass] I was afraid,” she said. “But as Shaun told me, you have to ride to get better, so just go. It’s been really pleasant.”

She’ll also run into bikers she met at the first Critical Mass, adding that every person remembers her name and says hello – something she says is a big identifier for her.

“You don’t get that with every event in town. The biking community has been really accepting and really personable,” Jernigan said. “They’re on a first name basis, and even if they don’t remember my name, I am always treated warmly whether at Critical Mass or running into someone at Great Raft Brewing or Twisted Root.”

After Jernigan shared her Bike Shreveport story with me, I met James and saw the famous Mardi Gras bike, along with the tandem e-bike I mentioned earlier. Riding the e-bike was simply thrilling. I look forward to telling you more about it in next month’s issue.

As I left Jernigan and James, I realized I’ve yet to meet anyone who hasn’t had a good, lasting experience after attending a Bike Shreveport event. Check out Facebook. com/BikeShreveport for more information on the next ride.

Karen E. Wissing works in Shreveport-Bossier City and loves her community.

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