Gas prices, health concerns and the desire to have fun - these are some of the reasons why Morgan Hill residents are dusting off their bicycles and strapping on their helmets.
Sunshine Bicycles co-owner Steven Cheu said about two or three people enter his store daily with an old bike they'd like to fix up for riding. Last summer, his store only had about one person a day come in with a used bike to fix up.
And he's been sold out of racks, baskets and other accessories, he said.
"People want to start commuting on the road, and they need accessories for that," he said, noting the difference between recreational trail riding and using a bicycle to get from one place to another.
Although no numbers are available, Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee Chairwoman Lisa Aragon said she's definitely seen an increase in bicycling in Morgan Hill in recent months.
And cyclists, be they commuters or cruisers, might not have to wait long for more bike lanes or routes.
In late May, the city council approved the bikeways master plan update, renewing the committee's goals to make Morgan Hill a bike-friendly community.
Improvements made to the city since the original bikeways master plan was adopted in 2001 have included added bike lanes and routes and parking racks throughout Morgan Hill. The city has also incorporated bike paths into the city's general plan, so any road improvements and new developments will include bikeways.
All of this has gotten the voluntary committee a step closer to a goal they've been trying to attain for years. In May, the League of American Bicyclists awarded Morgan Hill an honorable mention as a Bicycle-Friendly Community.
The designation goes to communities with established records in two of five categories that include education, or training children and adult cyclists; engineering, or including bicyclists in the city's transportation plan; enforcement, or police officers enforcing bicyclists' rights and responsibilities; encouragement, or encouraging bicycling through various events; and evaluation, making sure that all these efforts are actually increasing bicycling.
The next major step the committee will take to increase bike riding, and get the city one step closer to the bicycle friendliness designation, is education. Aragon said the committee was working with the Morgan Hill Unified School District to start giving bike education courses and bike rodeos, which incorporate bike safety lessons into obstacle courses and other activities.
Monterey Road, between Dunne and Main avenues, is slated for a bike route, according to the bikeways master plan.
It's not just the high cost of gas that's inspiring locals to ride, enthusiasts say. Aside from health benefits, cost savings and enjoyment, there's also the feel-good notion that they're helping the environment, bicyclists say.
"It's a social thing," Aragon said. "It's getting into town and really being a part of our community, enjoying our local features."
Manny Padilla got his bike from Morgan Hill-based Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., about a month ago. Specialized is the country's fourth-biggest maker of high-end bicycles.
"I used to drive every day to Sun Valley Market to do a quick pick (lottery ticket)," Padilla said. "But it's a lot more fun taking the bike. It's the fresh air and you really get to see Morgan Hill, parts you never really see in a car. On a bike, you notice everything, and we're reminded of why we love living here."
Padilla and his wife, Deborah, also take rides on the weekend.
"It's something to do together," she said. Padilla said more and more, they're finding ways to slip a bike ride into their regular activities. On Saturdays, she rides to her pilates class, and their weekend trips downtown are by bike now.
"We'll think, 'Hey, we could bicycle to do that,'" she said. "We're saving some gas and helping the environment."
Sergio Franchi, a Morgan Hill resident who commutes to Mountain View by Caltrain each day, started bicycling to work three or four times a week in May.
"It's not gas prices or anything," Franchi said, pointing out that he's spent a lot more on bike accessories - rack in the back, trip meter in the front, and various other bells and whistles. "I wanted to start working out, and at the gym it's too easy to just leave before the workout's done. But this way, I'm roped in for 12 miles a day."
Franchi said he's lost about five pounds in the past two months. But, better than weight loss, he has more energy during the day and it's just fun.
"It's addicting," he said. "If I go without riding to work, like on a three-day weekend, I'll go for a 10-mile ride or so, just to get that energy boost."
Steve Caposio, another committee member, said bicycling is much more fulfilling sight-seeing than driving a car. He said he'd like to even see downtown bike tours.
Not so fast, said former Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy, a former triathlete who started riding again after having knee surgery recently. While Kennedy said his major reason for cycling is exercise, he said he also likes to take note of different areas where bike amenities are needed. Downtown is one of those areas, he said.
He noticed it recently after he incorporated two-wheeled transportation into his routine.
"In the morning, rather than driving my car to get my morning cappuccino at Hot Java, occasionally, I'll ride my bike," he said.
Aragon said the committee is also working on connecting existing trails with the downtown area. This would further marry recreational cycling with commuting, she said.
"We want to have (signs) that would direct people better to the (Coyote Creek Trail)," she said, referring to the city's lone, albeit "beautiful," bike trail. "A lot of people don't know about it."
Natalie Everett
Natalie Everett Natalie Everett is the education and city reporter for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.
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