Cyclists take to the social circuits

One of the newest social movements in Shreveport-Bossier City is the SBC Bike Social, a group of all-age cyclists who aim to get #buttsonbikes and #makeshreveportweird one pedal turn at a time.

Stephen Pederson, the group’s organizer, is doing that – and practicing what he preaches.

“I very recently have ditched my car completely, so I ride every day,” Pederson, 23, said. “But even before that, it was a very rare day that I didn’t ride my bike.”

Pederson is originally from Otis and started casually biking in college when he attended Louisiana Tech’s Bike Nite, a bicycle social made of students. From there, he was hooked and eventually would lead the group and organize rides.

“I very quickly progressed into a cyclist under the tutelage of some friends and the culture of the bike shop Turbo Goat in Ruston,” Pederson said, who moved to Shreveport May 2013 for his job working with geographic information systems. “That place really changed my life, more than anything else.”

Pederson also has experience biking competitively, but for now biking is purely a social experience with healthy perks. He said in comparison to most bikers in the area, his philosophy puts fitness in the backseat.

“The scene [in Shreveport-Bossier City] mainly consists of folks who ride for fitness. This includes riding on the road and off-road [or trail networks]. We have good infrastructure for both,” he said. “These rides are still fun, and certainly social, but the bike is still very much a forethought when it comes to getting groceries, commuting or riding to a restaurant. This is the attitude that I plan to change. The bike is everything.”

Pederson began SBC Bike Social in April as a means of connecting his friends and acquaintances who were bike riders. His goal is to show that Shreveport has a grid layout that’s easy to navigate on bike.

“We are definitely creating a culture here, starting a movement,” he said. “I think people want to ride their bike more than they do, I’m here to provide the outlet.”

Taking to Facebook, Pederson was able to garner support and bring his idea to life. SBC Bike Social meets throughout the week, but the last Friday of each month is when the masses unite for Critical Manners.

“The focus of Critical Manners is to get new people on bikes, riding in a group, where they know they are safe,” Pederson said. “Then we show them the best ways to get around. It’s a win-win.”

Many cyclists and competitive bikers usually take to the outskirts of the city, but the point of Critical Manners is to show how biking in the heart of city can be done.

Jodie Dupuy, 28, of Shreveport, bikes with the group and recently moved home after living in Hawaii and New York City.

“I was very hesitant to ride here after living in NYC, where there are bike lanes and so much bike awareness,” she said. “I am so impressed with Shreveport, though. Every time I am on my bike, cars give me my space and are patient in passing me. It’s so nice to feel that cars acknowledge you on a bike and want to help keep you safe.”

Dupuy teaches yoga for cyclists on Mondays and Wednesdays at Betty Virginia Park and has been for three months. Pederson met Dupuy at an SBC Bike Social function at Great Raft Brewing.

“I always wanted to have a group to ride with so it was so nice to come back to Shreveport and find exactly what I was looking for,” she said.

Shreveport Councilman Jeff Everson said there’s still more to be done when it comes to improving bike conditions in the city, but we’re on the right track.

“We’ve added bike racks to Sportran buses, started a bike and Pedestrian Master Plan, have several area bike paths and and bike amenities in the works now,” Everson said. “I think it is important that we follow the implementation of our master plan, which calls for giving more consideration to transportation outside of just motor vehicles. The SBC Bike Social is an awesome group, and I love seeing them ride by because they provide proof that this is something that the community wants.”

Esther Kennedy, originally from Melbourne, Australia, also bikes with SBC Bike Social. She said biking in Shreveport was a bit daunting at first, mostly due to the city’s unrecognized cyclist needs. She said after a little while, though, it was smooth sailing.

“I’m used to bike lanes, bike crossings, one-way streets with signage saying ‘Bikes Excepted,’ that sort of thing, but cars are respectful, if not a little scared of bikes,” she said. “Whereas in Australia, bikes are at best tolerated by motorists and at worst, bullied. During a lot of my rides, I think motorists are mystified more than anything else.”

But maybe that’s because the 30-yearold commutes to work (usually in skirts) on a vintage Schwinn with basket, wearing a fluorescent orange helmet. “If I were 30 years older, I’d be certified ‘kooky.’” –Derick Jones

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

SBC Bike Social meets at 6 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday for free yoga for cyclists at Betty Virginia Park, 3901 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport. Every Tuesday, grab your bike and head to Columbia Park, 700 Columbia St., Shreveport, at 7 p.m. and cruise to Bear’s on Fairfield for drink specials. Friday nights (other than Critical Manners), SBC Social meets at 6 p.m. at Rhino Coffee for a casual ride. Critical Manners is the last Friday of the month, every month at 6:30 p.m. at Columbia Park. Recommended routes: https:// www.google.com/maps/d/ edit?mid=ze6dunw4TeQw.k3- tx9K0n_nQ