10 September 2023

Purportedly, Spartanburg is a bike-friendly city.

The first bike lane I found was on a street that paralleled a major road. That seemed useful, although the patches of grass growing in the lane signaled two things: 1) no one used it and 2) no one maintained it. Then, I got a flat.

Searching for bike racks has been amusing. I live near a parking garage, but the only bike rack on my block offers room for 6 bikes along an alley between my apartment building and the adjacent church. Not sheltered.

Yet, the town is definitely trying, as I find other bike lanes that stretch out from the downtown like threads of a ramshackled spider web anchored to distant twiggy branches of garden shrubs. 

It often fascinates me, as another GenXer who roamed the 80s on a bike, unsupervised from late afternoon until dusk, that our generation hasn’t demanded transportation models that more readily include folks who want to ride a bicycle to the store, or to work, or to school. Did we abandon our love affair with bicycles when E.T. left to go home?

Imagine describing the concept of an automobile to someone who has never heard of or seen one:

“This complex machine makes it easier to get to other places. It either burns flammable liquids or needs a good battery and giant plug for electricity. It’s made from a lot of parts from all over the world, requires a special mechanic to service, and will be worth less and less each year. It will eventually break and stop working altogether. It loses about 10% of its value instantly when purchased, and maybe 30% by the end of that first year. The average price of a new one in 2023 is about 1.5x more than the poverty level income for a family of 4.”

Imagine pitching that purchase to an investment advisor or financial planner.

After a week, I’m still learning what I can and can’t do in Spartanburg without a car and just how bikeable the city can be with a little focus and planning. Although city marketing might be just like any southerner exaggerating their kid’s accomplishments a little bit, I’m not worried. 

My calves are definitely going to benefit from the hills.

Photo courtesy of Gratisography