Groups, shops promote downtown biking culture

By Lindsey Juarez

Arlington’s bicycle culture is growing with a small but active health- and environmentally conscious community. Students at the University of Texas at Arlington and local residents sometimes choose to roll rather than drive on the downtown streets.  

Ellie Hernandez from the Front and Center Cyclery said it’s important to promote the biking culture to increase awareness of safety tactics for cyclists and motorists. 

Arlington officials have recognized the cycling community and responded with a way to help out. The Arlington City Council approved a Hike and Bike Master Plan in 2011, which includes bike lanes on the UTA campus and marked bike routes along Center and Mesquite streets downtown. 

One reason for making the plan is so “more people will choose to hike or bike to their destination instead of driving,” according to the Hike and Bike Master Plan.  

Because of the growing number of cyclists, the Arlington community has responded with riding groups and bike shops. 

Bike Friendly Arlington is a group of local cyclists who meet twice a week to ride. The group promotes bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure development in Arlington, according to the BFA website.  

Bike Friendly Arlington’s rides are Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., departing from downtown locations such as Twisted Root Burger and Levitt Pavilion. See the BFA calendar for more details.

Front and Center Cyclery in downtown Arlington offers services including custom bicycle builds and bicycle rentals.  

With so many options for cyclists in downtown Arlington, chances are you’ll see more cyclists on the road in the coming years. Watch out and be sure to share the streets with Arlington’s biking community.