The new Memphis Bike Route Tours, opened in fall 2003, are agreat way to get to know the city, but cyclists should be aware ofpossible hazards.
Biking veterans and novices alike can now discover Memphis on 60plus miles of city streets for on-road bicycle tours.
These routes are intended, not only for recreation, but also foruse as a commuter alternative. The routes join neighborhoods,commercial areas and many Memphis attractions.
"The routes are really nice," said Alex Turner, who has startedusing the tours for exercise. "It makes exercising a lot more fun-- you have interesting scenery. I've seen a lot more of Memphisthan I knew existed, even though I may have driven down the streetbefore."
There are five "neighborhood" routes and one, much longer,"Memphis" route that runs the perimeter of the city.
Each route begins at a designated starting point that includesparking, restrooms, water and route information. The routes arenumbered and marked with route signs every mile and at every streetturn.
The East Memphis Tour, Route 50, is 16 miles long and providesaccess to Audubon Park, Memphis Botanical Gardens, Dixon Galleryand Gardens and Lichterman Park and Nature Center.
Starting at the Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium, the CentralMemphis Tour, Route 40, is 19 miles long. This route tours severaldifferent neighborhoods and Overton Park, which includes theMemphis Zoo and the Brooks Museum of Art. It also takes the riderpast many antique shops and the Children's Museum of Memphis.Memphis' two universities, Christian Brothers University and TheUniversity of Memphis, are also on this tour.
The Downtown Tour, Route 9, begins in the historic PinchDistrict and continues through downtown and midtown for nine miles.This tour offers views of the Mississippi River, the Pyramid, MudIsland River Park, the historic Cobblestone Landing and BealeStreet. Tree lined streets offer a nice setting for midtown's early20th century homes. Overton Park, the Memphis Zoo and Brooks Museumof Art are accessible on this route.
The Raleigh Frayser Tour, Route 30, is contained within thecommunities of Raleigh and Frayser, and is 17 miles long. Startingat the Ed Rice Community Center, which offers many recreationalactivities, the route goes around Lake Windemere and usesJames/Stage Road, a 19th century stage coach route between Memphisand Nashville.
Route 20, the North Memphis Tour, is 14 miles long. The tourbegins downtown and then goes over to Mud Island with views ofHarbor Town, Mississippi Greenbelt Park and the Mississippi River.The route continues through north Memphis with views of the WolfRiver Flood Plain. Access to Overton Park, the Memphis Zoo and theBrooks Museum of Art are also on this route.
The Perimeter Tour does not have a route number because it usesthe outer boundaries of the other routes. This tour is 49 mileslong and uses the starting points of the other routes as places torest and refuel.
The Mississippi River Trail is a nationally designated bikeroute and is part of the North Memphis Tour and the Perimeter Tour.Unfortunately, part of this route is recommended only forexperienced adult cyclists, because it runs along the very narrowNorth Second Street, a two-lane highway with no shoulder, thatcould be quite dangerous.
Although the tours seem like a great idea, what about ridersafety? Some of the bike routes go through or near some of Memphis'neighborhoods with a reputation for crime. Cyclists are alsoexpected to ride in the street with automotive traffic and areresponsible for their own safety. Should they be worried?
Waitress Britton Pinkham recalls an experience she had.
"I was riding bikes with my friend in a residential neighborhoodwhen we were harassed by a man in a truck," she recounts. "Weweren't in the middle of the street either. We were as close as wecould be to the sidewalk so we wouldn't get run over. This insaneguy drives up behind us yelling for us to move. He then started toswerve like he was going to hit us. We pulled over and got up onthe sidewalk. I couldn't believe it, but the guy came back and didthe same thing again. Needless to say, my friend and I werecompletely freaked out. I don't think we'll ride down that streetagain."
Aside from the occasional "insane guy," most drivers seem to beaccepting of cyclists in the road, said Derek Myers, DeputyDirector of Police Services at the University of Memphis.
"You always have a little bit of concern when cars and bikes aretogether on the same streets," Myers said. "As long as they bothfollow the rules, I don't see any problem with it."
Many drivers do not realize that cyclists are supposed to ridetheir bikes on the street with the rest of street traffic,according to Tennessee law. The sidewalks are meant only forpedestrians.
What about the neighborhoods that do not seem so safe?
"I always say that people in groups are much safer than thosealone," advised Myers.
But if you do not feel comfortable where you are, the best thingto do is just to leave the area, Myers said.
