Comments on: Commuter Profile: Jeff Wilson

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:56:41 +0000

Jeff and Matt,

I just moved to the Valencia/Santa Clarita area a few weeks ago and have been biking to work about twice a week (7 miles each way). I have to get from the East side of the I-5 to the West side (to get to the industrial park), and there isn’t a safe way! I only have about a mile of bike path, the rest is on roads with cars going 55 MPH and no street lighting. I come from Columbia, MO which has a VERY active bike commuting organization (www.pednet.org). I’d love to connect with either/both of you and talk about organizing our efforts. I have a few ideas, from Columbia, that would be simple/cheap for us. My addy is jkaylen hotmail

Joe

By: william

william — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:03:36 +0000

Seems like LA area is blowing wide open about commuting. San Diego.. close behind!

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:38:49 +0000

I live in Santa Clarita, and was recently transferred to a work location that is closer to home. I’ve been commuting to work on my bicycle ever since the move, and have not seen a single other commuter… not even the “Latinos on beaters” you mentioned. My commute is a little further than yours, at around 10 miles, however most of the trip is done via the beautiful bike paths. I also like to make it hard for myself by riding a fixed gear. I like it because of the simplicity and how light it is to carry once I get to work. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that it’s nice to hear that there is someone else in this town that is doing what I’m doing. Ride safe, and keep on trying to convince your friends to start riding and clear up our congested streets.

By: Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:39:53 +0000

Justin give it up, I draw house plans in CAD so that makes me a tech guy I guess I am spanish and I do have to yell at the tons of wal mart mountain biking brown boys riding against cycling laws it is what it is. ride or die Jeff! and Justin you would be offended by pretty much anything wouldn’t you lmao. Thought i would put in my two sense its been awhile (just started commuting on a fixed it is alot of fun!), the lord out.

By: Bill Baker

Bill Baker — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:11:51 +0000

Thanks for sharing Jeff! And the more you ride the more people will follow your lead and ditch the car.

By: Tejvan

Tejvan — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:15:03 +0000

Useful interview and that looks a mean bike. You can’t beat a fast racer for commuting.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:20:12 +0000

Raiyn — thanks. That is an important point. “Guys on bikes” come in all flavors!

By: Raiyn

Raiyn — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:32:49 +0000

For the record : “guys on bikes” when used as a counterpoint to “cyclist” bears no deference to race, creed, gender, or any orientation other than direction in traffic.

By: S Weil

S Weil — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:15:12 +0000

There sure does seem to be a large portion of those interviewed that are in the I.T. field. I think they are more often interviewed because their chosen occupation puts them in a position to view the “web,” better in a office/cube environment.
I am a “Bike Communter,” and have been for over a year now. Get this…I work in finance, (Gasp!) Thats right, I am a cube-working-bike-riding-paper-pushing-office-drone! And still get chances to view this site, by the way it is a great resource and very entertaining!

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:32:13 +0000

RL – Honestly the color of skin of the site’s owners isn’t a large concern. You didn’t write this content.

I totally understand that the profiled commuter wasn’t being intentionally demeaning – I said as much. But comments like that really serve as yet another reason people find cyclists obnoxious – even in the “everyday cycling” world of bike commuting you have to have fit some arbitrary criteria to be part of the club. It’s annoying.

Also, you want other cyclists to follow the rules and make the choice to ride? Get them into the club! Give them the high sign, share some water or offer to help them get the fit right on their bikes. Don’t just tell them “you’re doing it wrong” like some cycling LOLcat – it just makes you look like a rude cracker.

In Oakland we have a large population of these “Latinos on beaters” and there are outreach efforts – but even in the Bike To Work Day checkpoint setup you can see the obvious bias in what communities we value cycling to work.

Maybe this is why I just ride my bike though – instead of trying to be a BOB or a freestyler or Bije Commuter.

AND TO BE CLEAR: I’m not calling anyone the ‘R’ word . Just provoking some discussion around a point that bothers me.