The Benefits Of Bicycles

The days of over-reliance on automobiles are over. While it is unlikely that the metal goliaths rolling down the highway so ingrained into American culture will ever truly go out of style, it is clear that a new road has been paved for a classic mode of transportation.

Enter the bicycle. A mode of transportation synonymous with physical exercise and zero emissions.

Spending on bikes and bike accessories rose 620% from 2020 to 2023, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics at the United States Department of Transportation. With so many new faces on bikes, who should you turn to for advice, accessories or repairs?

One option is Farmstead Bike Shop. An LGBTQ+-friendly space with locations in Minneapolis and Northfield, both locations offer a plethora of bikes for commuters and recreational bikers alike.

Greg Neis and Brianna Lane, the owners of Farmstead, opened the shop nine years ago in Minneapolis and expanded to Northfield three years ago. The Northfield shop also has the Raven’s Nest Cafe within their store.

Neis raced bikes growing up and managed multiple bike shops over the last 15 years before the opening of Farmstead.

“I enjoyed it so much that I decided to open our own shop,” Neis said. “So Bri and I opened Farmstead in Minneapolis.”

Neis said increased infrastructure in Minneapolis and Northfield has allowed for biking to become a more viable means of transportation and recreation.

“There’s an incredible mesh of new dedicated trail bike lanes, bike boulevards,” Neis said. “Truly European style. Separate and lightweight.”

According to National Geographic, bike corridors – like the Midtown Greenway – contribute to Minneapolis’ identity as one of the premier cities for bicycling in the U.S. The Greenway is just one link in the over 250 miles of bikeways stretching throughout the city, and offers easy access to several shops and locations of interest for anyone interested in a bicycle-based adventure.

While the shop has plenty to offer for experienced riders, there are also a lot of resources for the otherwise uninitiated, including group ride experiences.

Lane said they organize social rides where people can ride without the worry of being left behind. They said gravel rides, which have been increasing in popularity recently, are no-drop rides. This essentially means that there is no risk of being left behind by more experienced bikers. They also mentioned they educate people on riding at night and how to ride safely.

“Getting a ride with your friends is a good way to get better and more comfortable,” Lane said.

Lane said these social rides can have anywhere from five to 30 people participating. They said these social rides can increase safety and decrease the stigma around biking.

You’ve almost certainly heard the common criticisms of bicyclists. While every hobby has its awful outliers, the experiences that come with cycling far outweigh the callous connotations that can come when you first dawn the dual wheels on the open road.

Farmstead used to organize three or four overnight camping trips a year pre-COVID where they would travel somewhere on a bike, stay overnight and return home the next day, according to Lane. They said they hope to organize three of these trips next year.

Past these excursions, the popularity of e-bikes has been on the rise over the last few years. According to Bloomberg, e-bikes outpaced electric cars in sales in 2021, and, according to ebikes.org, e-bikes are expected to total over 77 million by 2030.

For those intimidated by the bicycle scene, e-bikes offer a much more efficient ride with far less stress on the rider. Anyone getting into riding should consider what they want from their bike and what bike will suit them best.

Another important area to master for beginner bicyclists is proper maintenance.

Neis said one of the best things a fledgling rider can do is ingratiate themselves at their local bike shops for tune-ups, repairs, modifications and general advice. Neis added that a few simple modifications can do a lot for those who may not be fully comfortable on their bike, especially if it is old.

Neis said the three main things to keep in mind for proper bike maintenance before every ride are to maintain proper air pressure in your tires, make sure your drive chain is properly lubricated and do regular safety checks to ensure operating essentials like your brakes are in working condition.

“Make sure everything is as you left it so you’re not surprised when you’re moving if something is out of place or maladjusted,” Neis said.

More than anything, anyone looking to get on a bike for the first or 5,000th time should remember that riding is for everyone.

“You don’t have to be anything to ride a bike,” Lane said.

Neis echoed this sentiment, saying “It’s an incredibly inclusive, egalitarian activity.”

Biking is an activity for everyone. Whatever your background, biking is an activity that you can enjoy.

“Just go try it,” Neis said. “Have fun, find your people, and get out and play and get some fresh air and exercise. If you feel like going fast, go fast, and if you feel like going slow, go slow. It’s all up to the rider.”

Whether it be for exercise, transportation or simply to pick up a new hobby, consider the bicycle. They say you never forget how to ride a bike; perhaps it is time to remember. Whatever you do, keep it fun, and don’t take it too seriously.

Farmstead Bike Shop
422 Division St., Northfield
4001 Bryant Ave., Minneapolis
www.farmsteadbikeshop.com