Much media coverage has been given, here is Mountain Xpress’ take on the good news. much more to come. Check out the awesome speach delivered by ‘Asheville on Bikes’ founder, Michael Sule. Bravo!

Hey Cincinnati, what’s cookin up there? Any good bike project to speak of? And how about you, Pittsburgh?

Below is the final list of signatures by zip code. These are your servers, your doctors, your painters, your accountants, your attorneys, your babysitters, your teachers, your stockbrokers, your carpenters, your nurses & your neighbors. Here is the Finalized Asheville Bike Petition representing as many as 7300 people. (Originals are on file at Asheville City Hall.)

Considering that some of our leaders may never actually see all the hand signatures, or fully grasp it’s vision, here is a reminder of our mutual realization, as set forth by the “Asheville Bike Petition”

“To: NC D.O.T., The City Of Asheville and NC Public Officials: We, the undersigned, ask that all available city, state and federal transportation funds be attained and used for projects that will address the following issues in Asheville, NC and Western North Carolina:

1. We recognize that fossil-fuel related travel negatively impacts all cities in the USA.
2. We recognize that increased bicycle travel, as well as safe wheelchair and foot-travel, will beneficially impact the growing transportation, health, and quality of life concerns plaguing all of Asheville, Buncombe County, Western North Carolina and entirety of the United States.
3. We demand the creation, and continued maintenance, of a far-sighted Multimodal Transportation System that includes trails, non-motorized lanes, pedestrian malls, and light-rail projects that help connect outlying areas and ensure sustainable economic development. This mandate addresses incomplete, as well as all future urban, suburban and rural transportation planning projects.
4. By making bicycles part of our daily lives, and encouraging our peers to do the same, we will make Asheville an example of smart-growth & livability.
5. As an important contribution to our transportation history, bicycles and pedestrians preserve the soul of our community-life.

Therefore, we deem it necessary to enhance bicycle and pedestrian use and safety for all people within the city of Asheville, North Carolina. We hereby demand that our public officials, government agencies, businesses and individuals who participate in decision making on transportation projects look towards other vibrant and forward-thinking cities such as Madison, WI., Boulder, CO., Davis & Berkeley, CA., Portland & Corvallis, OR. and Chapel Hill, NC.”

Owners and employees at BioWheels have been commuting on their bikes for years, long before these high gas prices of today. We mainly ride because we love to ride our bikes and enjoy the workout we get passing backed-up traffic. Taking back roads to avoid traffic on the way to work is so energizing. We would much rather ‘burn fat not oil” and be “one less car” and show up to work with a smile on our faces knowing that we just got a free dose of exercise on our zero emission vehicle. Why do people drive cars exclusively? I suppose stretch pants, a land full of pharmaceuticals & lack of concern for our environment help answer that question.

If you are ready to work on your health & put the human element back into your urban landscape, you’ll want a bike for commuting.

BioWheels has you covered. We have bikes from Jamis, Scott, GT, Schwinn, Breezer, and Independent Fabrications. The staff can help you choose the right bike for you.

I need to add that the Breezer brand of bike is a “out of box” commuter with all the bells and whistles: rack, fenders, lights, and lock come stock with all Breezers!

If you have a bike to resurrect, BioWheels has everything you need to turn your new bike or old bike into a practical mode of transportation. It would be wise to equipe your bike with a rack and panier bags to carry your nessesities. Tail light and head light is the law after dark. Fenders will be praised when the roads are wet. Also commuter specific tires are worth their $$, they provide a puncture resistant casing and a stiffer sidewall for handling the extra weight. You may also want to personalize your bike with a different handlebar with different hand positions, such as mustache bars, riser bars, flat bar with bar ends, drop bars, etc…

Cycling specific clothing can make your ride more enjoyable too. High-tech clothing choices at BioWheels can keep you comfy in all kinds of weather. We are stocked up with breathable “Wind Stopper” products from “Gore” such as jackets, pants, gloves, booties,and helmet covers to keep you warm and dry.

Check out the photos of the bikes BioWheels employees ride and also the Breezers, GTs, Schwinns, Jamis, Scott, and Independent Fab.

I can’t wait to ride to work!!!
-Si Ezolt