SpokeLife - Spring 2019

SPRING 2019

Read & Ride: Biking memoirs inspire

CycloMesa 2019: Arizona’s largest bike festival returns to Mesa How Indoor Cycling Improves Your Outdoor Ride How to Shop Helmets

Welcome

A Letter From

The Team

The City of Mesa has proudly ranked a “Silver Status” as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists since 2015. Mesa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program provides many services and educational opportunities to enrich the safety of cyclists and pedestrians in the City. The goal of the Bike and Pedestrian Program is to increase the ridership and activity throughout the City so residents can take advantage of this form of affordable and healthy transportation.

Mesa in the spring is just about perfect, isn’t it? Not only do we have spring training season (and the Stadium Connector shared-use pathway to help you enjoy a double header at Hohokam and Sloan Park, but it’s also Valley Bike Month in April.

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut—even for cyclists. Valley Bike Month’s events are created to offer inspiration for riders to try something new. Here’s a few ideas of ways to keep your ride interesting: • Try a road race, like El Tour de Mesa, part of CycloMesa on April 6 • Ride a new shared-use pathway—we just posted videos to let riders preview the pathway routes to help plan your ride at mesaaz.gov/bikeped • Commute to work for Bike 2 Work Day on April 17 Remember, when trying new paths and skills on two-wheels, to stay safe. This issue is all about safety just for that reason. From learning how your helmet should properly fit, to preparing the kids to join you on your bike rides, we are coasting into all the tips and tricks in making sure your family has a safe ride. If that isn’t enough, don’t forget you can still sign up for our bicycle basic safety classes, both for adults and children, taught by our Bicycle Safety Educator across the Mesa library branches. We’ve added classes for the season, check out the Mesa Library events page to register.

Thank you to all that took time to fill out our annual survey to provide feedback on Mesa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program programming and the cycling infrastructure in Mesa; check out page 18 for the biggest trends from the survey.

Happy Riding!

City of Mesa Bike & Pedestrian Program team

2

Spring 2019

Spoke Life Mesa received a Platinum Award in the Print Media Publication category by the MarCom Awards for the fall 2018 issue.

The MarCom Awards is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals and is one of the largest international creative competitions for marketing and public relations.

Valley Metro Honors Mesa’s Bike and Pedestrian Program as Champion for Clean Air The City of Mesa Transportation Department’s Bike and Pedestrian Program joined more than 50 Maricopa County Travel Reduction Program employers and individuals on stage to be recognized for their exceptional clean air activities this year at the 31st Annual Clean Air Campaign Awards and Luncheon. In attendance were nearly 500 guests who continually support and promote trip-savings as a way to keep pollution from Valley skies.

Mesa’s Bike and Pedestrian accepted the Outstanding Marketing and Creativity Award, in the category of events with a budget of more than $500 dollars to execute, for last year’s Bike to Work event. Coinciding with Earth Day, the annual event hosted a pancake/smoothie breakfast benefiting local non-profit, We-Cycle-USA, boasting nearly $600 dollars donated and more than 1,336 miles logged by 93 employees cycling to the City, an eight percent increase over the last year’s log.

3

Contributors

Networking Idea Sharing Inspiration

2019

3

Welcome

A Letter From the Editor

7

Two Wheel Tip

Head Gear 101

8

Read & Ride

Book Review: Full Tilt: Ireland to India With a Bicycle

4 Contributors 6

I Bike Mesa

10 Maps

Friday, April 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Jackie Dishner, mountain bike enthusiast, journalist and author of Backroads & Byways of Arizona (The Countryman Press, 2010), has been riding for 15 years. For one of her assignments for SpokeLife magazine, she finally learned how to change a flat tire. But she’s still not giving up thick inner tubes.

Michelle Turner is an Arizona native who is excited about the idea of biking to a grocery store that is being built close to her house. She has already planned a route that will take her along side streets and has bought a bike helmet in anticipation of her grocery store trips.

Meghann Finn Sepulveda is a local freelance writer and communication professional. A native of New York and ASU grad, Meghann enjoys spending her free time running, cooking and volunteering at the school where her children attend. She lives in the East Valley with her husband and three children.

Gretchen Pahiar is an Arizona native and NAU alum. She keeps active by running, working out, playing sports and watching movies with her husband and two kids. Gretchen has been writing in the Valley for more than 15 years and is Principal and Owner of Media by Connection.

Amy McConnell is a City of Mesa PIO by day and a lover of shopping local, supporting the slowfoods movement and connoisseur of Broadway shows by night. This is SpokeLife’s fifth issue with Amy at the helm.

Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa AZ

$25 in advance, $35 at the door, $10 for students Breakfast provided by: Lunch provided by: The Summit gathers leaders, educators, planners, public health professionals, event promoters, and cyclists of all kinds to discuss current issues related to bicycling in Arizona.

Pg14

15 Register Your Ride

The Summit includes:

17 On the Road

Panel Discussions on Active Transportation Plans and Shared Active Transportation Devices

20 What/Where/When

Presentations on: • The Loop, a shared-use path around metro Tucson • Bicycle Education • Bicycle Touring • Bicycle Improvement Funding

Pg 16

Pg 18

14

Ride Now

Kids & Riding Bikes: The Safety and Fun on Two Wheels

16

Cover Story

CycloMesa rolls into Downtown on April 6

18

Survey Says...

How the 2018 Bicycle & Pedestrian Survey Helps to Shape New Projects

www.cazbike.org/summit2019/ Sign up for e-notifications on Mesa’s Bike & Pedestrian Program at mesaaz.gov/bikeped

TRANSPORTATION

MesaBikePedProgram

Report potholes, graffiti, street light outages and more, download the City’s free mobile app. Search Mesa CityLink to download from the App Store or Google Play. @cityofmesa

@cityofmesa

City of Mesa Bike & Pedestrian Team: Mark Venti, Jim Hash, Ashley Barinka, Al Zubi and Maria Angelica Deeb (left to right)

4

Spring 2019

5

Who’s Who on our Paths & Trails?

Two Wheel Tip

Head Gear 101 By: Jackie Dishner

Mike Sowers Age: 38 GIS Specialist

Bicycling background: I’m a mountain biker! I’ve been riding for about twenty years and have ridden all over the Southwest. Recently my interest has been in longer multi-day bikepacking rides and races. The Southwest is a beautiful place full of open space and it’s great to experience it from a bicycle.

How many miles do you ride or commute each year? 1,000 Average length of ride? 15 miles How often do you ride or commute? I ride 3-4 times per week What do you like most about riding in Mesa? Mesa is a great place to ride! I’ve lived in Mesa for over ten years and have seen the extensive network of bike facilities grow to connect great destinations. Living in a community that can be safely navigated by bike is important to me and it’s clear that Mesa continues to make this a priority.

Isaac King Age: 38 Emergency Room Tech and Nursing Student

Bicycling background: I’ve been riding recreationally since I was a kid—maybe since age eight. For the last 10 years though, I’ve been racing. Right now, my favorite place to ride is near Power Road and the 202 on Hawes.

If you ask a group of cyclists for their crash stories, be prepared for the gory details — road rashes, bruises, concussions, and maybe pictures of stitched up muscle tears or facial cuts. Chances are, they lived to tell about it because they wore a helmet.

Virginia-based cyclist Robert Alan Duncan mentions what happened after he rubbed tires with a guy in front of him during a 105-mile ride, “I never felt my head hit the ground. But when I took off my helmet, it was smashed flat in the back.”

The helmet did exactly what it was supposed to do, says Randy Archer, owner of Archer’s Bikes on Country Club Drive in Mesa, “It took the impact.” Once impact happens, manufacturers recommend replacement. When buying that next helmet, Archer says to consider the following: Budget. Price points can range from $50 to $400. Expect to pay more for better design and materials, lighter feel, more padding, ventilation and comfort, and more shade.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC certification means the helmet meets standard safety requirements.

Look for at least that and skip the cheap $20 models that are unrated. Higher rated helmets cost more but provide an extra layer of protection, such as dual density foam.

Functionality/Style. Helmets are designed to fit the type of cycling you’ll do. But that doesn’t mean a road cyclist shouldn’t opt for a full-face feature typically meant for downhill rides. Buy what you like and what fits right, so you’ll be sure to wear it.

How many miles do you ride or commute each year? Last year I hit 2,000 miles on 156 rides!! The elevation gain total was 156,000 feet.

Bike Safety for Kids

The City of Mesa Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is giving away free CPSC-certified helmets to kids, ages 5-11, this spring.

To get one, kids must attend one class of Bicycle Basics for Kids at participating branches of the Mesa Library.

Each one-hour class, starting at 3 p.m., covers the importance of wearing helmets and other safety gear, brain education, road signs and safety signals, and a short video. When the program ends, kids are fitted with their new helmets. Preregistration is required at mesalibrary.org/events.

2019 FALCON FIELD AIRPORT

Average length of ride? 15 miles How often do you ride or commute? I ride 2-3 times per week right now. My nursing school is starting to eat into some of my ride time.

What do you like most about riding in Mesa? The scenery and desert beauty across Mesa’s trails make me feel like I’m out on the edge of civilization. It’s amazing that the trails can feel so remote, but still be so accessible.

SATURDAY,

30 Open House MARCH

9 AM – 3 PM

4636 E. Fighter Aces Dr. (McKellips Rd. & Falcon Dr.)

Mesa, Arizona

www.falconfieldairport.com *Canned food donations for United Food Bank

• Free Admission & Parking • Airplanes & Helicopters on Display • Aviation Careers Information • Classic Car Show & Model Railroads

• Historical Exhibits

» CAF Museum & Southwest Military Transport Show open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. » Discounted admission $5/person or $10/family of 4

• 100 Club of Arizona » Public safety picnic

7

Read & Ride

Book Review: Full Tilt: Ireland to India With a Bicycle

Mesa Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

By: MariaAngelia Deeb Photo credit: Ivan Martinez

s a staff member on the Bicycle & Pedestrian Program, I talk all things bike. I read bike plans, social media posts about bikes, and over the holidays, even curled up with a memoir about a woman’s bike voyage in India back in the 1960’s.

Full Tilt: Ireland to India With a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy is the story of Murphy’s 1963 bicycle trip to India. The book is based on her travel journal. Traveling alone through rough country the journal is her only companion which captures, Murphy’s humor, challenges and resolve. So much happens along this trip that her adventures are the muse for a life-long series of books.

True adventures are described where different cultures and people are met, pistols are drawn, and tears are shed. She regales readers with stories of fending off wolves and the occasional individual with bad intentions, but most of her interactions showcase the beauty of the land and the people she encounters. (There was much more of a plot than the usual bike plans I typically read from our traffic engineering team!)

One of the neatest parts of the book is the map which highlights

ON

!

T H G I N US TO

d n a ! p u p o P UConnectMesa k r a P e h T t a s e i v o Ride-in-M You bring blankets and we will supply the popcorn! We encourage families to ride their bicycles or walk to the park. Remember your helmets and bike lights!

Transportation and Neighborhood Outreach are teaming up to invite you to join us for a fun night with a Movie at the Park along with the next UConnectMesa Pop-Up! event. Stop by with the family for free Mesa giveaways, meet city staff, learn about helpful city resources, and enjoy a movie on us! SRP will provide the FREE kettle corn!

Please visit our website for up-to-date information on each movie, http://mesaaz.gov/bikeped https://www.facebook.com/MesaBikePedProgram/

Looking to pump up your two-wheeler wisdom?

From manuals to memoirs to mysteries, the Mesa Public Library system has hundreds more books about bicycles.

The Libraries also partner with City of Mesa Bicycle and Pedestrian Program to provide bicycle safety classes: Smart Cycling Fundamentals (ages 12+) and Bicycle Basics for Kids (ages 5-11). These classes rotate between library branches and provide free bicycle safety gear to registered participants.

With around 200 other free library events monthly, there’s much more to explore. Stop in and get inspired by a community of minds in motion.

8

DATE

LOCATION

TIME

MOVIE

February 23, 2019

Red Mountain Park

6:45pm

Incredibles 2

March 2, 2019

Mariposa Park

7:00pm The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature

Whitman Park

7:30pm

April 20, 2019 May 4, 2019

Rancho del Mar Park 7:45pm

Peter Rabbit Show Dogs

movies subject to change or cancellation without notice

Murphy’s route. She rode from Dunkirk, across Europe, through Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan; She crossed the Himalayas into Pakistan and India.

In the five decades since Full Tilt’s release, Murphy has traveled and written other books, but this, her first, still provides perhaps the greatest introduction to anyone seeking a life of adventure in a wide, wild world on two-wheels.

TRANSPORTATION

Spring 2019

Delivering water and power.™

10

11

12

Spring 2019

13

Ride Now

Must-Do Mesa

Photo credit: Christie Captain

Kids & Riding Bikes The Safety and Fun on Two Wheels By: Gretchen Pahia

Bike riding is a longtime childhood right of passage, and keeping kids safe while on the two wheels should be top of mind.

For parents, encouraging a child to ride a bike is not only a way to establish healthy exercise habits but it can also help with learning development and mental health.

Ashley Brinka, Mesa’s Bike and Pedestrian Safety Educator, says there are some very simple rules to follow that will make everyone’s ride enjoyable.

“Everyone should wear a properly-fitted helmet, ride on the sidewalk if you can and if not, ride in the same direction as traffic. Kids and parents should also use hand signals, wear bright colors and use lights. And always, stick together when riding with your children, until you are comfortable letting them ride on

t u O t i p Kee t. It Matters.

Recycle Righ

By: Michelle Turner

their own.”

It isn’t just physical benefits that come with bike riding it is also great for the environment, which is a very timely lesson to teach kids. Using bikes instead of driving will reduce carbon emissions, ease traffic congestion and can help cut back parking issues. This all helps leave our earth just a little bit of a greener and healthier place to live.

Best of all, the time spent riding bikes together encourages family communication, supports togetherness and is a great reminder that there are a lot of things you can do as a family.

Recycling Made Easy

Items should be loose, empty, dry and relatively clean

Clean Boxes

Metal Cans

Remove and discard all liners, Styrofoam & plastic packaging

Food & beverage only

Bagged Recyclables

(Remember items should be loose)

14

Food & Liquid Waste

Clean Paper

Bottles, Jugs & Jars

Plastic Bags & Packaging

http://reportit.leadsonline.com/main/mainPage.aspx Note: A Leads on Line Personal Property Inventory does not register your property with the Mesa Police Department .

Do You Know Your Serial Number?

NEED YOUR BIKE?

Whether recycling at home, work or school, knowing what is and what is not accepted in the recycle bin can sometimes be a challenge. Nationally, 25% of the items placed in the recycle bin are actually not accepted. Unfortunately, this contamination is having a negative effect on the global recycling market, including jeopardizing Mesa’s recycling program. Non-accepted items cannot be processed and are ruining perfectly good recyclables. So what should you do?

Simply focus on recycling the basic core products below. And when in doubt, it’s always better to keep it out. Even though some things may say they are recyclable, they may not be accepted for different reasons. Want to learn more? Visit MesaRecycles.org.

Keep These Out of the Recycle Bin

STOLEN!

You can also create your own personal property inventory at Leads On Line:

How to avoid bicycle theft

When in

Doubt

Register your Ride

Your Bike Was Just

If you heard the words, “Your Bike Was Just STOLEN,” do you have all of the necessary information to provide to Police in order to get it back?

Fill out this card, Submit it On-Line, or Print and Mail it to or Drop it off at any Mesa Police station to register your bike.

Textiles

No paper towels, napkins, tissues or paper plates

Yard Waste

Foam Products

(Ruins perfectly good recyclables) (Includes case wrap & shrink wrap) (Clothes, shoes, linens, rugs, etc.) (Green barrel service available) (No market for this material)

Spring 2019

If you want to prevent your bike from being stolen, you must always keep it secure, say Mesa Police Department Crime-Prevention officers.

It’s easy to think since you are going inside the house or store for only a minute to just leave your bike unlocked for that short time.

“But then you get a phone call and that second you were going to be inside the house takes five minutes and your bike can be gone,’’ says Lindy Marino, crime prevention officer for Mesa Police Department Red Mountain District.

A bike can disappear in seconds, taken by someone who wants it for their personal use or to pawn it, she said.

To thwart these thieves, Marino said cyclists should use a high-quality lock with an equally high-quality cable or chain and secure their bike to a post, tree, stairway or any other stationary structure. If no non-moving objects are available, bring your bike with you. You can always put a towel down on the floor and store the bike inside of your home, she said.

If you use a bike rack on your car, make sure the bike is fastened to the rack and the rack is fastened to the car. “It doesn’t matter if the rack is on the hood, it just has to be secured.’’

Marino said.

She suggests using a u-lock or a cylinder lock which goes through the wheels and the bike’s frame. Older devices that use a combination local and cable are child’s play for thieves, she said.

Make sure to register your bike with the city of Mesa. By registering, recording your bike’s serial number and photographing your bike, you greatly increase your chances of recovering it if it is stolen, she said. If you own more than one bike, make sure each is registered.

To register your bike, go to https://www. mesaaz.gov/residents/police/services-forms/ bicycle-registration

Your Bicycle Serial Number is located on the bottom of the pedal casing. If your bike does not have one, engrave your Driver’s License number in this location and record that number on the registration card below.

~ PHOTOGRAPH IT ~ REGISTER IT ~ LOCK IT ~ WEAR A HELMET ~ OBEY TRAFFIC LAWS

Bicycle Registration ~ Be sure to print a copy for your records before submitting. * Indicates REQUIRED Field *Name: _______________________________________________________________ *Phone: (_______) _______ - ____________

*Age: _____

*Sex: M ___

*Bike Make: ____________________________________________________

F ___ Fenders? Yes ___ No ___

*Bike Model: ____________________________________________________________________________ *Bike Color(s): ______________________ ______________________ Bike Size: ___________________

*Serial #: __________________________________________________ If No Serial # Found on Bike, Complete Next Line: Owner Applied #: __________________________________ Driver’s Lic.? Yes ___ No ___ State: ______ Notes: __________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Date Submitted: _____ /_____ /20_____

___ Mailed In

___ Dropped Off

___ Submitted On-Line

* By checking this box you are attesting to the truthfulness of the information contained in the Registration Form and confirm that you understand that false reporting to the Police is a crime.

This Section for Mesa Police Department Use Only:

RMS Bike ID#___________

SUBMIT FORM

Received ____ / ____ / 20___ Entered By: ______________________ Badge#__________ MPD 514(F)

New 7/13

Photo credit: Ryan Glauser

15

Cover Story Photo credit: Ryan Glauser

CycloMesa rolls into Downtown on April 6 By: Meghann Finn Sepulveda

Grab your bikes, gather your kids and get ready to have fun at CycloMesa, taking place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 at the Mesa Convention Center. The 9th annual family-friendly event, which is put on by the City of Mesa Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, includes plenty of activities such as a zip line and rock wall, along with food trucks and live music.

Photo credits: Christie Captain

FREE EVENT 4/6/19 9am-1pm Mesa Convention Center

ZIPLINE ROCKWALL INFLATABLES BMX SHOWS

Fun for all ages Adults and children are encouraged to bring their bikes to the event and enjoy full, free access to dozens of activities.

“This family-oriented festival was created to inspire residents and visitors to be active and healthy and raise awareness about bicycling for recreation and as an environmentally-friendly mode of transportation,” said Al Zubi, bicycle and pedestrian manager for the City of Mesa.

“We expect nearly 10,000 people will attend this popular event.”

The event includes roller derby races, a BMX freestyle show, an Extreme Sports Zone, and an Adventure Zone complete with a zip line and rockclimbing wall.

Children and toddlers will enjoy the Kids Zone, featuring multiple bounce inflatables, carnival games, circus performers and aerial workshops.

Kids can also participate in an educational bicycle rodeo and maneuver through an obstacle course to learn about bike safety and proper equipment and get fitted for a free helmet.

16

BIKE RODEO

Plenty of food trucks and vendors will be on hand, along with a beer garden for adults age 21 and older featuring outdoor patio games like corn hole and Giant Jenga.

AERIAL ARTS

Rock and roll Live music will be played on stage throughout the day and will include performances by local artists and amateur bands.

Attendees can also cheer on the 1,500 bicyclists who are expected to participate in El Tour de Mesa, professionally organized by Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc., that includes a 100K bike ride, 50K bike ride and 5 and 10-mile fun rides through Mesa. A designated viewing area complete with bleachers will be set up for spectators who want to watch the bicyclists cross the start and finish line.

“It’s exciting that this major bicycling event attracts thousands of visitors to Mesa each year,” Zubi explained.

“We’re thrilled the festival will return for the ninth year.”

A free bike valet is available to those who want to walk around the event, explore Downtown Mesa or enjoy a delicious meal at one of the nearby restaurants. Plenty of parking will be available.

Spring 2019

EL TOUR DE MESA

FOOD TRUCKS Mark your calendars!

CycloMesa will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 at the Mesa Convention Center, located at 263 N. Center Street in Downtown Mesa.

Admission is free. For more information, visit cyclomesa.com.

& MORE

WWW.CYCLOMESA.COM 17

Survey Says...

Photo credit: Ryan Glauser

How the 2018 Bicycle & Pedestrian Survey Helps to Shape New Projects

along the canal to the Arizona Department of Transportation right of way along the 202 freeway will also get upgrades. Enhancements to the rest of the loop will take place in 2020.

The recent survey results show loud and clear that City of Mesa residents are interested in cycling for fun and recreation as well as for commuting reasons, Zubi said. A whopping 90 percent of the respondents say they bike for their health; almost 20 percent said they commute via cycle.

Cycling for exercise certainly makes sense, especially in Mesa, Zubi says.

“We have beautiful trails and are working to make them safer all the time. When people ride their bikes for fun or to go to work, they are improving their own health but they are also reducing congestion and improving air quality.

“People are becoming more health conscious,’’ he added. “Maybe they are golfing less. Maybe what we are seeing is that cycling is becoming the new golf.’’

By: Michelle Turner

“Bike lanes that are separate and buffered from traffic.’’

That’s what cyclists surveyed by the City of Mesa believe will improve their biking experience, according to a survey of more than 550 city residents.

Every year, the City of Mesa Transportation Department’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program surveys Mesa residents to get better insights in how to improve cycling in the city. This latest survey drew the most response ever -- thanks in part to a robust social-media participation campaign.

Ninety-five percent of the survey respondents said they wanted separate and buffered bike lanes to make their recreation and commuting bike riding easier and safer. Almost 80 percent said they plan their biking routes so they can avoid vehicle traffic.

The City of Mesa is already working to install more bike lanes. Later this year, the City will begin preliminary work on Phase Two of a pathway that will go along the Red Mountain 202 Freeway between Elliott and Hawes roads, said Al Zubi, Supervising Engineer for the City of Mesa’s Transportation Department.

The new path will be asphalt paved and will have landscaping as well as benches for seating. Current plans call for it to cross the freeway at Elliott. And as a result of feedback from cyclists, city engineers are looking to include surface parking near that crossing.

A similar pathway that runs from Baseline to Elliott roads along the freeway has already been completed, Zubi said.

“We know that our residents really appreciate being able to ride away from cars and we are trying to provide 18

that as much as we can.’’

After the Elliot to Hawes path is completed, work is expected to begin on freeway-adjacent path that will go from Hawes to Power Road, a pathway that will allow cyclists to bike into Gilbert, Chandler and Tempe.

Improvements along the Salt River Project’s Eastern Canal that runs from Lindsay Road to Brown Road will be made beginning later this year. The Lehi Loop, beginning on McDowell Road and following Spring 2019

19

And you thought your commute was rough

On the Road

How Indoor Cycling Can Improve Your Outdoor Ride By: Jackie Dishner Summer’s not my favorite time for bicycling in Phoenix — it’s too hot — but I was training for a September 60-mile ride. So I tried an indoor cycling class at the YMCA near my house. For the same ride the year before, I’d failed to train for hills, and it showed in my performance.

Fortunately, this indoor class leaned heavy on hill climbs, and I was able to meet my outdoor challenge with less grunts and more grins. I’d improved in both strength and endurance.

That’s because my indoor rides mimicked my outdoor experience.

That’s how it should be, if you follow the logic of Colorado-based Jennifer Sage, founder of the Indoor Cycling Association.

She trains indoor cycling instructors to “keep it real” and teach as if students were riding actual bikes.

“It’s best if you can find a facility that uses bikes with power meters,” says Sage, and that students learn how to determine perceived exertion for quantifiable proof when they’ve gained strength in turning the pedals. Instruction should also avoid pedaling too fast with no resistance. It’s wasted energy. Instead, use resistance to a cadence between 60 rpm - 110 rpm for the best outcome.

And if instructors use weights or upper body exercises while on the bike, she says it can lead to injury. Besides, it isn’t anything you’d ever do on the road or trail. If that describes your class, Sage says refrain from it, enjoy the music and practicing full circle pedals. “You can transfer all of this to your outdoor ride.”

20

Where to Indoor Group Cycle The following exercise facilities in the Mesa area offer a variety of indoor cycling classes, serving beginner to elite. Several feature drop-in options, so you can test different classes out to find the right fit without having to pay membership fees.

Mesa Police Department

Desert Fitness — North Mesa 1927 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 102, Mesa 480-534-2740 desertfitnessaz.com

“Hiring the Future”

My Fitness Studio 3130 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 110, Mesa 480-813-3856 myfitnessstudioaz.com

•

Radius Fitness 1839 S. Crimson Rd., Suite 102, Mesa 480-530-8318 radius-fitness.com

• • • • •

Ross Farnsworth East Valley Family YMCA 1807 S. Sunview, Mesa 480-649-9622 valleyymca.org/eastvalley

Various Detective Assignments SWAT K-9 Unit Aviation/Airport Unit Traffic/Motors Unit School Resource Officers

• • • • • •

Competitive Salary Comprehensive Benefits Tuition Reimbursement Public Safety Retirement Plan Promotional Opportunities Shift Differential Pay

MPDJOBS.COM Spring 2019

Joi nMP D @mesaaz.gov

21

What/Where/When

› EVENTS 2019

› BIKE SHOPS

Blazing Saddles Ride Club

ABC Bicycle & Jetski Rentals

March 2 Movies in the Park at Mariposa Park 7 p.m.

Mesaaz.gov/bikeped

May 4 Movies in the Park at Rancho de Mar Park 7:45 p.m.

Mesaaz.gov/bikeped

March 6 Kids Bicycle Safety Class 3 p.m.

Mesalibrary.org/events

June 5 Kids Bicycle Safety Class 3 p.m.

Mesalibrary.org/events

March 7 Kids Bicycle Safety Class 3 p.m.

Mesalibrary.org/events

June 6 Kids Bicycle Safety Class 3 p.m.

Mesalibrary.org/events

Advocacy, rider education and trail work. The Gravity Rider community includes downhillers, freeriders, all-mountain riders, dirt jumpers and BMX riders of

April 6 El Tour de Mesa 6:30 a.m. perimeterbicycling.com/ el-tour-de-mesa/

June 12 Bicycling FUN-damentals Adult Class 6 p.m.

Mesalibrary.org/events

all ages.

Group road and mountain bike rides for all levels. Skills and maintenance clinics. meetup.com/bike-masters-bikesdirect-blazing-saddles-rides-club Gravity Riders Organization of Arizona

gravityridersaz.com San Tan Shredders Group rides for mountain bikers of all levels.

April 6 Mesa Adventure Challenge Bike Edition 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. mesaaz.gov/things-to-do/ mesa-adventure-challenge

Tempe Bicycle Action Group

April 20 Movies in the Park at Whitman Park 7:30 p.m.

Mesaaz.gov/bikeped April 24 Bicycling FUN-damentals Adult Class 6 p.m.

Mesalibrary.org/events

3655 E. Main Street 480-641-2453 abcjetski.com

Adventure Bicycle Company 1110 W. Southern Avenue 480-649-3374 2336 E. Baseline Road 480-649-3394 adventurebicycle.com

Archer’s Bikes

1530 N. Country Club Drive 480-275-5818 archersbikes.com

Bikes Direct Mesa 1545 S. Power Road 480-891-8901 bikesdirectaz.com

Bike Masters Gilbert

April 6 CycloMesa 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Cyclomesa.com

April 17 Bike to Work Day 7-9 a.m.

Mesaaz.gov/bikeped

22

› BIKE CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

meetup.com/santan-shredders

Working to make bicycling a prominent, safe and convenient form of transportation and recreation in the region. Also hosts group rides and events. biketempe.org We-Cycle-USA Help kids and adults in need to recycle and refurbish bikes. wecycleusa.org

San Tan Village Mall 2244 E. Williams Field Road 480-857-7000 bikemastersaz.com

DNA Cycles

2031 N. Power Road 480-924-2453 dnacycles.com

Electra Bike Shop 1545 S. Power Road 480-428-2349

Mike’s Bike Chalet

5050 E. University Drive 480-807-2944 mikesbikechalet.com

Paragon Cycling

1106 N. Gilbert Road 480-830-1620 paragoncycling.com

Performance Bicycle 1155 S. Power Road 480-832-0034 performancebike.com

Two Wheel Jones

2837 N. Power Road #110 480-380-8222 twowheeljones.com

Spring 2019

23

Recent trends continue to highlight a strong desire for communities to be bike-friendly, and the City of Mesa’s Transportation Department Bike & Pedestrian Program is continuously working on creating enhanced pedestrian pathways to provide safe connections for residents to travel through the city on two-wheels.

Stay up to date with current projects and announcements!

Sign up for e-notifications on Mesa’s Bike & Pedestrian Program at mesaaz.gov/bikeped or follow us: MesaBikePedProgram @cityofmesa @cityofmesa