Switching Gears

Those who stayed on the peninsula for spring break were rewarded with cold and rainy days. Ironically, the weather after spring break has become sunny and relatively warm. Because of this transition some Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) students are venturing out on bicycles for exercise, leisure, or for just getting around campus.

A CSUMB student living in Monterey can realistically bike to campus by using the bike paths. According to Robert Cepeda, Service Manager, at Sports Center Bicycles in Seaside, "There are bike paths running out from all the way in Pacific Grove straight out to the campuses, so from Monterey or Pacific Grove it is generally a half hour ride." He believes biking is a viable means of transportation.

Aside from fitness, biking is also a way to save the environment and contribute to society's well being. Cepeda said, "Keeping down the emissions helps out the community." According to the University of Chicago, their biking program "supports campus sustainability" by decreasing parking, congestion, pollution, and "reduces single occupancy vehicle use."

Current gas prices in the Peninsula are about four dollars a gallon. Cepeda said, "With rising gas prices and insurance people can save easily on average two to three thousand dollars a year."

According to NBC News, the increasing gas prices have resulted in a growing number of bicycle sales. CSUMB students have the opportunity to rent a bike via the Otter Cycle Center. The center is run by staff mechanic, Aron Casaday, and student aide, Zach Eurich. Both instruct students during their recreational rides on a regular basis. Eurich, who also races bikes, instructs students in the Bicycle Handling Skills 101 and 102 courses; teaching the basics such as gear shifting, braking, and navigating traffic. These bicycle outings offer free rentals and teach students bicycle handling skills that cycles through throughout the month.

According to Eurich, their 103, 104, and 105 classes are more aggressive techniques often used in racing. In those classes, Eurich teaches how to corner aggressively while surrounded by large group of cyclists; as well as effectively climbing and descending a hill. Eurich said, "If you take 101, 102, and 103 you will have the confidence—hopefully—and the bike handling skills to descend with me and do forty five miles an hour on a sweeping corner on Barlow Canyon." He stressed the outings are designed to be fun and engaging, "We're here for you, we're here to instruct you," and "even if you're going three miles an hour we'll be sitting next to you going three miles an hour."

Eurich suggests students get set up with a bike by going to a bike shop. He explained depending on preference it can cost from $300 for a beach cruiser, $500-$800 for a mountain bike, and a $1,000 for a road bike. Both Eurich and Cepeda recommended students to purchase their bike at a bike shop in order to avoid unreliable products. According to Cepeda, bikes purchased at big brand name stores "have numerous safety issues as far as quality."