Photo: Artur Ciesielski

With the opening of the Valley Metro light rail the valley has shrunk.  Distance is about accessibility and because of the light rail there is greater freedom of movement.  I'm not talking about taking the car and going to work: this is about recreation and ditching the car however exhilarating it is to spew fumes into the air and run corners at 50mph. 

In many cities in America and Europe you can get by just fine with out car and you actually get to see more, not in quantity but in quality: things look different at 10 miles per hour then 60 mph. 

There is a sense of freedom from not having to be bound by a car.  I know this is difficult to see in the Western part of the U.S. as we are born with gasoline in the vein and a car key in the crib.  With no car you can get on anywhere or off anywhere without having to go back to the car.

In Phoenix, you can get on the trolley in Central Phoenix and go to Mill Ave in Tempe then ride along Tempe Town Lake and ride up to Downtown Scottsdale, come back or go west along the Arizona Canal.   This would be hard walking but this is why it's called Urban Bike: public transportation and cycling make it possible.  To be realistic, I have reservations about using the bus, but none the light rail: there is no logical reason for this, it just is. 

The series is called Urban Bike because between a car and walking, cycling is the quintessential green transportation.   I urge you to take a bike, rent one if you need to and explore Phoenix. 

Cycle to learn about a neighborhood.

If you are buying a home in a Phoenix neighborhood get on a bike and ride around: what do the streets look like, are the homes well kept, what stores are around: stop and have a coffee at the local coffee house, talk to the locals about living there.  You'll definitely get to know the area better, in more detail.    

How about exploring several urban neighborhoods using a bike to choose which you want to focus on. 

I know not many will want to do this but you should try and we're willing to go with you and share our thought and to point out the interesting things we know about urban Phoenix while cycling through it.

I took a trip from North East Phoenix down through North Central Phoenix.  On the way I found a place I know but never had a reason to enter: Pomona Road, a small street that only exists in Central Phoenix.   I also noticed the large amount of homes being remodeled or improved in some way.  Central Phoenix is evolving despite the slower economy.  Some brownstone projects on Maryland and Missouri are at a stand still for good reason: we don't need more inventory now but, other homes are being remade.

There are also lots of new restaurants opening and other already deeply rooted places like Lux are filled with people and they make a damed good iced latte. 

If you're taking a bike on the light rail read this. 

The trip to Tempe from Central Phoenix via the light rail was quite quick and pleasant: It's very relaxing to be chauffeured around.  You could ride the bike there from Central Phoenix but the trip is harsh: you'll be passing lots of industrial complexes, rough streets, the dry Salt River, graffiti painted highway passes, rogue shopping carts and occasional stay dogs. [the latter sounds like good topic for Hoozdo Mag] This sort of stuff has its charm but not everyone will want to make it part of their weekend bike trip. 

In downtown Tempe you can spend an entire day exploring the area from the lake to A mountain, to Tempe Center For The Arts and of course the many restaurants.   The grass covered embankment of the Tempe Lake makes a nice place for a picnic and rest before continuing the trip and heading back.  Just keep the percentages in a brown bag. 

The light rail has opened up the valley.  I was one of tens of people with a bike on the rail.  There were cyclists just taking a leisurely trip and others going to work.  There are 28 stops and most are a good place to jump off and ride the area.