Go Far Go Biking

With Main Street currently out of order, it seems as though Peoria is becoming less and less friendly toward any mode of transportation that’s not walking.
Driving around campus can be a bit difficult now that traffic is being directed through the residential streets, but burning gas doesn’t have to be the only means of transportation.
Surprisingly, Peoria is a rather large hub for biking, which may seem a little backwards seeing as there are only so many bike lanes and trails around the city.
A quick Google search of “Peoria biking” will debunk this notion.
Bike Peoria is one of the frontrunners in turning the city into a more bicycle-friendly place. The organization’s website has a number of resources from bicycle rules and regulations to different trails in the area.
Cycling groups like this help to create a community of bicyclists and forge a discussion about issues of safety and advocacy, etc. Events are planned throughout the year, such as the “Ride of Silence,” which honors bicyclists who were killed or injured on public roads.
You don’t have to be involved in a club to appreciate the beauty of biking around Peoria. Just riding through the residential neighborhoods is a great way to familiarize yourself with the area in a way that you wouldn’t in a car.
For some students, bringing a bike to college isn’t necessarily a first thought. Finding a bike may be hard for people who aren’t looking to break the bank. Luckily, there are a number of stores in the area that have bikes for incredibly reasonable prices.
Pawn shops can be goldmines for finding basic road bikes, which are generally a bit older to begin with. Speaking from my own experience, you can find some great deals on websites like Craigslist — not every seller is insane, I promise.
Some Peoria folks love bicycling so much that they want bike maintenance to be something everyone can have access to. Bike Peoria has a bicycle co-op on Main where people can go to get their bikes repaired while learning how to do it at the same time. For members this is free, but for non-members it’s only $4 an hour.
We have more resources than we know, and it’s time that we take advantage.
There is so much for this city to offer us as young adults, and when driving, we often overlook some of the awesome pockets of the city. Combining biking with exploring the city can help make the college experience better by creating a sense of understanding and pride in the place that we’ll be for four years.
Peoria is a great city if you can get outside the Bradley bubble. Hop on your bike and experience it firsthand.