John Murphy, a mentor with the Bike Buddy Program.
What made you want to be a part of the Bike Buddy program?
“I really enjoy commuting to work by bike during the day. It’s a nice break in the day, and I like to help people feel more comfortable biking around town, using it as transportation.”
What are some good tips for people wanting to bike more around town?
“The thing I’d like people to know about commuting by bike in Denton is that they shouldn’t be put off by stories about drivers being rude. I’ve been commuting for a number of years, and I’ve learned that if I make an effort to be visible, to follow traffic signals, to act in a predictable way, that the vast majority of the time drivers notice me, they’re aware of me, they wave me through, they’re courteous. It’d also be good for drivers to remember that the person they see on a bike, they’re also a motorist at other times. So we’re aware of the need for motorists to see us. And they should also be aware that the person they see on a bike is not there to slow them down. They’re out to run an errand, and they’re somebody’s daughter or son. I’d like people to use the sight of bicyclists on the road as a reminder that there are lots of ways to get around.”