Definition:
Utility Cycling; The act of using the bicycle for any practical purpose or pursuit.
Please note, it’s okay to enjoy the act of “practical” cycling!
How does one get started on this? It’s not hard. Start with just one trip. Pick some errand or chore that would ordinarily be done in a car. Grab a bicycle. Then Ride to do the trip. It’s that simple.
The errand could be returning that library book, or picking up that perscription. It could be going to that club meeting. It could be dropping the video in the box, or going to the Post Office. Note: It doesn’t have to be any great or grand thing. Just replace one trip by car with one trip by bike.
What kind of bike? One that rolls and will get you there. Likely you have access to something of the sort. Sure, it could be a bit of over-kill to take your beloved carbon wonder-bike to the drug store, but so what? On the other hand, it might seem a bit beneath your dignity to take the old clunker mountain bike out and ride it to the store to pick up that loaf of bread. Again, so what? Are either of these trips really worth burning a gallon of gasoline? What do you really have to lose?
Great journeys start with one step. Grand buildings begin with one shovel of dirt moved. Every large accomplishment is luanched with some small deed. So it is with utility cycling. One does not become a dedicated transportation cyclist all at once. For that matter, one doesn’t necessarily need to ever completely replace the automobile. But it makes good sense to replace at least some of our driving with something more positive and beneficial.
We’ll discuss purpose built bikes and tactics in future articles in this series. But for now, look for that one trip. The one that could be replaced by a bike ride. It doesn’t have to be long. No need for epics yet. Just find that one short trip and replace it with a gentle bike ride. That’s a great way to start.
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