Bicycling means business in Bloomington

Bicycling is serious business. Movements must be precise and eyes must be lightning sharp. An acute sense of awareness is key to each bicyclist’s repertoire. Of course, there are other aspects of bicycling that are less serious and more carefree.

Some bike owners in Bloomington seem to all have the same passion: to enjoy and participate in things using their bikes.

Fred Rose, manager of Bicycle Garage, Inc., said bikes can be used for many different purposes that all somehow congregate and fit into a person’s daily life.

“There are so many things to indulge yourself in with cycling,” Rose said.  “You can ride them for health, competition, commuting or as a pastime.”

Rose has been bicycling for 25 years, and said that like any other vehicle, there is a certain amount of danger that comes with cycling.

“You have to be aware,” he said. “Cycling is no different than driving a car or walking. But you’re not in an armored cocoon — you have to be proactive.”

Rose added that potholes, steep hills and gravel, which are lesser worries for cars and pedestrians, are huge concerns for bikers and if unnoticed, can seriously injure a biker.

“I’ve had an actual accident with another biker from just going too fast, not paying attention,” said Bicycle Garage, Inc. employee Chris Beck. “My friend got into a bike accident too, and the other biker broke their arm.”

Brien Fields, a salesperson for Revolution Bike and Bean, said in order to prevent accidents his shop takes special precautions to make sure that each bike sold fits the rider, and not the other way around.

“We have consultations that take anywhere from an hour and a half to three hours so that we can make sure the bike is right for the rider,” he said. “This helps reduce injury to the biker as well as increase the rider’s efficiency.”

Don Galligher, owner of Revolution Bike and Bean, is a specialized certified bike fitter and geometric fit specialist.  He studies the different ways in which bikes can fit a human body so that his customers get a personalized feel, not just a bike.

Along with providing custom-fit bicycles, Revolution Bike and Bean includes a coffee bar for customers, something that adds to the shop’s belief that biking should be an enjoyable experience.

“Biking is such a good way to get outside and see the scenery,” Fields said. “You get to see natural settings that you won’t be able to see in a car.”

In addition to being a fulfilling pastime, biking is seen as a way to benefit the environment, personal economy and health.

Fields said he started mountain biking to improve his knees’ joint health after 20 years of playing competitive basketball.

Zach Edwards, mechanic for Revolution Bike and Bean, said he rides to improve the environment and to save money on gas.

Beck said he rides his bike to avoid traffic and get to places faster.

“I try to avoid 10th Street because it is always full of traffic,” Beck said. “But many of the best routes to take are on campus because there is minimal traffic besides the buses.”

Whatever the reason for riding a bike, one thing is common among bikers: they still remember their first bike.

Beck said he received his first bike when he was six, and it was hot pink — a result of his growing up in the late ’80s.

“I got this sweet Ninja Turtle bike when I was six years old,” Edwards said.  “For a first bike, it was pretty cool.”