Amy Greene on Bicycle Commuting

Amy Greene - Evergreen Employee
ITSV - Academic Computing

Office of Sustainability: How and when did you first get into biking?

Amy: Ever since I was a kid with my Huffy BMX bike I've enjoyed riding. In college I didn't have a car and got around primarily via bus and bicycle, but as soon as I got my first car my bike started collecting dust. It was shortly after seeing Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" that I realized if things were going to change it had to start with me. I had also recently had a physical where I discovered I was 20 pounds overweight - yikes! I knew my old mountain bike from college was too heavy and the tires too big to really enjoy riding to work everyday so I went into my local bike shop and found the perfect commuter bike with fenders and lights. I was ready to ride.

My first commute was in November 2006 and it was possibly one of the most physically exhausting things I have ever done. I rode from the Eastside of town out to Evergreen, 9.5 miles. I was so slow that chubby children on mountain bikes were passing me. It was very humbling. When I got home that night I was completely spent - I had to reevaluate, this was not going to work. The next day I chose a modified commute; I rode downhill to the bus station and took the bus the rest of the way to Evergreen. For the ride home sometimes I would ride all the way or take the bus downtown and ride home the rest of the way. After doing this for a year I gradually didn't need the bus anymore.

Office of Sustainability: What do you enjoy most about it?

Amy: The quiet sense of flying through space. I think this is what delights children... and me.

Hills. Many cyclists hate them - they are what make cycling work. But I've come to really enjoy the challenge of a good hill and as a way to explore where I'm at physically. How strong am I? How much energy do I have today? Riding your bike up a hill gives you a very immediate experience of your current level of fitness. When you ride the same hill everyday you gradually experience your body getting stronger and stronger. It's an amazing feeling.

Office of Sustainability: How has biking changed you?

Amy: After losing 20 pounds I feel much less self conscious about my body - I appreciate it everyday as an amazing animal pedaling machine - it's beautiful.

I have more energy. When I get to work each morning I walk in the door completely charged from a great ride. It's a fabulous way to start the day.

I smile more at others in general. Eye contact with motorists is simply a matter of self-preservation. You can't help but have this spill over into the rest of your life.

I learned how to sweat. I had never really sweat before I started riding - now I sweat buckets.

Community building

You can't hide on a bike. You're out there; you're a part of the fabric of Olympia. When you see yourself as one of the threads I find it easier to connect with other people. I say good morning to a whole slew of local Olympians every morning as I wind through the neighborhoods. It's wonderful. I also enjoy meeting other cycling enthusiast on one of the many Capitol City Bike Club rides. It's a great way to meet folks in the community and get out and explore some of the amazing countryside that surrounds us without having to plan your own route.

Office of Sustainability: Other things you'd like the Evergreen community to know?

Amy: Tips for bike commuters:

Smile. Smile at other cyclists - they're like family. Smile at motorists, show them how much fun you're having, make them envious. Smile at motorists even when they do silly car-centric things oblivious to cyclist. Let them know you're there and you're friendly - reserve yelling for the most egregious offenders.

It's ok not to know what the hell you're doing. Watch others who seem to have a clue and ask questions, you'll be amazed at how willing other cyclists are to share information.