Scientists On Bikes

Photography: Deb Greco

One can’t help but wonder if more North Americans might start thinking seriously about biking to work if they had that little bit of extra incentive to do so. Well, at the California Academy of Sciences (CAS), that’s just what they’re getting! The Academy’s Commuter Incentive Program encourages employees to find transportation alternatives (biking, walking or public transit) to driving to work alone in their cars. CAS employees have the option of receiving extra vacation time or cash, which sounded too good to be true, so I met up with a few Academy scientists to get the skinny. Laura Eklund is an anthropologist, Brian Simison is an evolutionary biologist and Stan Blum is the Research Information Manager (and ichthyologist).

How long have you been using a bike for transportation and why?
Laura: Oh always! Why? I don’t want to pay to park. I don’t like buses, being on someone else’s schedule, crowds. I’m cheap and lazy. That’s why I ride a bike.

Brian: All through grad school, so since 1992. Parking was a nightmare. Tickets. I hate to drive. It’s more my dislike of driving. Sometimes I ride my skateboard or walk.

Stan: I was bitten by the bicycling bug in 2003. I used to commute by bicycle in grad school and I sort of lost it when I was in big cities like New York and DC. When I moved here I was within distance of commuting by bicycle again.

What do you love about riding a bike in San Francisco?
Laura: It’s bike-friendly. There are a lot of bikes on the road so I feel like drivers are aware and considerate for the most part.

Brian: Not dealing with traffic and parking.

Stan: I like riding. I need the exercise. I like being able to let my mind wander as I ride so it’s almost like a daily meditation so to speak, on a bicycle.

What do you dislike about riding a bike in San Francisco?
Laura: The hills. The wind.

Brian: I don’t like riding on busy streets.

What would you say to encourage folks to give bike commuting a try?
Brian: Obey the rules. Don’t go the wrong way. Let the cars go first.

Stan: It’s not that bad. You have to ride defensively, but it’s all about picking your route. Explore. It’s very different than going by car. Route yourself through parks and streets with bike lanes.

Laura: Don’t be afraid. Give yourself a few days to get used to riding in the city. Give yourself a week to get physically comfortable - because you will; you will get comfortable.

What would you say to people who would ride to work, but are afraid they’ll get to work with helmet hair?
Laura: Travel sizes! I’m pretty girly. I put product in my hair; I wear makeup; I wear jewelry. So I keep travel sizes of products at work just to touch things up.

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About the Author

Deb Greco is a book geek who thinks writing is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Riding her bike around the city comes a close second. She loves catching waves, beach days, and the smell of sunscreen. [more...]

Published in Momentum No. 42

In our Public Space issue, we meet Mia Birk of Portland and Fred Kent of NYC, both of whom have shaped and revitalized public space in their respective cities. We learn about Los Angeles bike culture and explore the usual sampling of arts, culture and gear.