Phillip Barron The Herald-Sun Sep 21, 2004 : 9:32 am ET DURHAM — The new American Tobacco District could be a great jump-start to revitalizing downtown Durham, but several things need to happen to realize its potential. Right now, Durham is an archipelago of bicycle and pedestrian-friendly islands. Ninth Street, Brightleaf with West Village, downtown, Fayetteville Street near N.C. Central University; these are all bikeable and walkable areas. Each has sidewalks, some have bike lanes on the roads, and they all have that urban feel that makes you wonder why you need a car. They are all islands, however. Islands […]

The Herald Sun September 9, 2004 Ruth Coppinger, a post-doctoral researcher in Duke University’s Pharmacology Department, rides her bike 8 miles from the Woodcroft area to work nearly everyday. When asked why she chooses to ride, she says “I like commuting by bike because I share a smile and a ‘Good morning!’ with other people on the trail and in the neighborhoods. It makes me happy and calm.” She’s not the only one. As more bike lanes and greenways are built, the number of riders is only increasing. Several readers of this column have written in to say how much […]

Phillip Barron The Herald-Sun August 10, 2004 12:10 pm DURHAM — When I was a kid, riding a bicycle with multiple gears was something for adults. My blue banana-seat cruiser had only one gear at the rear wheel. I admired my dad and the older neighborhood kids who could change gears, go faster and ride greater distances. I dreamed about the day when I’d share that privilege. My first 10-speed didn’t just make it easier to climb hills, it confirmed my maturity. Today, the term “10-speed” sounds dated. Bicycle manufacturers cram gears onto bikes allowing riders to select from as […]

Phillip Barron The Herald-Sun July 28, 2004 9:10 pm DURHAM — I ride a bicycle for many reasons. It’s healthy — riding my bike for an hour to and from work every day is a reasonable workout. It’s fun — there’s nothing like mountain biking in Pisgah National Forest. It costs less than driving a car — I save a lot of money on gas. It’s a cleaner mode of transportation than any automobile — the Triangle region has some of the worst air quality in the nation. Converting food to energy is a lot cleaner and more efficient than […]