FAYETTEVILLE - Despite all the trails in Fayetteville, some people still say there are areas that aren't friendly to bike riders.
Monday, kicked off National Bike to Work Week. In Fayetteville, plenty of riders say they don't need a special week, they choose to pedal year round. "I love it, I'm all about riding the bike to work, I do it every day," said TJ Barnes who works at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.
For Barnes, it's a nice three mile ride, almost entirely on a trail. However, not everyone lives and/or works off a bike trail, which means they have to find an alternate route. According to the Fayetteville Police Department, it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk, which means riders must share the street with regular motor vehicles.
"It's a little scary to be on the road on a bike," said Wes Williamson. He and Barnes both said they would rather take the chance getting a ticket on the sidewalk rather than risk getting killed on the road. "You can't believe how many people are talking on cell phones," said Barnes. "It's a fun game, how many people we count on these phones while at the stop light."
However, drivers say the feeling is mutual, and they get angry and scared when riders are swerving in and out of lanes. "The best solution is to build more bike lanes, if we do that then we will be in much better shape," said Lisa Alvarado.
Riders also said they'd like to see more bicycle lanes, but currently only a handful of streets in the city have them. The city is holding an official Bike to Work Day Friday, May 15 at 7 a.m. at Arsaga's on Township.
Monday, kicked off National Bike to Work Week. In Fayetteville, plenty of riders say they don't need a special week, they choose to pedal year round. "I love it, I'm all about riding the bike to work, I do it every day," said TJ Barnes who works at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.
For Barnes, it's a nice three mile ride, almost entirely on a trail. However, not everyone lives and/or works off a bike trail, which means they have to find an alternate route. According to the Fayetteville Police Department, it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk, which means riders must share the street with regular motor vehicles.
"It's a little scary to be on the road on a bike," said Wes Williamson. He and Barnes both said they would rather take the chance getting a ticket on the sidewalk rather than risk getting killed on the road. "You can't believe how many people are talking on cell phones," said Barnes. "It's a fun game, how many people we count on these phones while at the stop light."
However, drivers say the feeling is mutual, and they get angry and scared when riders are swerving in and out of lanes. "The best solution is to build more bike lanes, if we do that then we will be in much better shape," said Lisa Alvarado.
Riders also said they'd like to see more bicycle lanes, but currently only a handful of streets in the city have them. The city is holding an official Bike to Work Day Friday, May 15 at 7 a.m. at Arsaga's on Township.
