I Love Riding in the City

Name: Kirk Logan Johnson
Location: Edina, MN
Occupation: Software Project Manager

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
The best part about biking in Edina is my daily 18-mile commute to downtown. I sold my car three years ago but my Surly Steamroller gives me more freedom than I ever imagined.
My commute is the perfect mix of urban, forest, and prairie alchemy. Where else can you see graffiti-covered cars in an old concrete graveyard, and five minutes later see a kid toting his violin through the woods?

Edina is breaking away from its car-centered transportation roots. Specifically, the city is taking a close look at its first Comprehensive Bicycle Transportation Plan (www.bikeedina.org). I served on the Bike Edina Task Force, and remain involved in the promotion of biking in my city. Changing people’s attitudes about bicycle transportation is real work, but it can be done.

Why do you love riding in the city?
I looked at an old blog, “I’m heading toward Hennepin on 9th Street after rushing to Minneapolis from Edina. This is a typical scene at rush hour, which as you might know is a bit of a misnomer: The cars aren’t rushing—they’re stuck. I’m the one rushing.”

Poetry Anyone?
I wrote this thinking about the California fires last year and the untapped transportation power represented by millions of under-used bikes:

Cars burn. Bikes beckon.
Anagram for cars is scar;
Pedal turns to plead.

Check out kirk-johnson.blogspot.com