Artkansas 

I popped into Little Rock's newest bike store to see what it was like. The proprietor had just moved to Little Rock and was unfamiliar with it. Luckily I had just picked up a copy of the Arkansas Times with this article on the State of Biking in Little Rock. https://www.arktimes.com/Articles/Art...0-207419dfa2e9

It doesn't just talk about commuters, but it will give you a fairly reasonable picture of where Little Rock is at bicycle wise.

-=(8)=-

Good article. Could be written about a lot of different places now, as far as issues go.
The only thing I wish writers would change is the cost stuff. "Pretty penny", etc....
Anyone can hit Craigsist and make a bulletproof commuter for under 200.00.

How is Fayetteville, AR.... similar ?

vegipowrd

Most of Fayetteville is great, but some parts are still fairly hard to get to. We've been building a ton of trail for the last few years, but accessibility still depends on what niehrborhood you live in. Most business districts are connected by trails as are many of the largest employers. Some businesses are starting to realize that proximity to the trails will bring them money.
F-town is both supper hilly as well as still developing. There are still a number of things that can cut a neighborhood out, particularly for kids. The trail system master plan will take care of most of that in the next 2-3 years.

-=(8)=-

thank you Vegi !
'Zactly what I was looking for !
Trails connecting large employers !

Be safe !

tcs

He moved to an unfamiliar place to open a bike shop in a recession? I want to party with that wild man.

tcs

Artkansas 

He and his father run a 2 store chain. They moved one shop from Cabot to Little Rock. The Maumelle store stayed where it is. I suspect that his father is more familiar with Little Rock. But you are right, its a gutsy move.

Artkansas 

Well, they don't call it "The Hill" for nothing. As Vegiepowrd said, its super hilly. I have to respect those who ride there. I've met Matt Mihalevich, Fayetteville's Trails Coordinator, he's a great guy doing a good job. I don't think that Little Rock even has a Trails Coordinator.

If you want more info, you can check out the Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks website at https://www.bconwa.com/

vegipowrd

The new trail system has let me switch to riding fixed. I had a low geared single speed until they finished the north-south backbone in the fall. Still have my geared road bike, but a flatter and carfree corridor has changed the entire cycling game out here.

Bike Coalition of the Ozarks is doing some cool stuff. They don't always do the best advertising, but they are some great folks.

smd3

What's the new store called? Did they move the store from hwy 89? I visited a store there a few times, it never seemed terribly busy.

I always went to chainwheel, I knew someone that worked there.

We would mostly ride the river trail, over the bridge, then ride back in to the rivermarket area to a pub.

Little Rock seems like a really bad place to try to commute. The whole city is basically a highway, surface streets are in really bad condition.

I was stationed at the base.

recumelectric

Nice article, Artkansas. What's your opinion? Is Little Rock a good or a bad place to commute?

Mith242

I haven't really been into biking since I was a kid. But the new trail system in Fayetteville is getting me back into it. I'm looking to buy a new bicycle in a couple of weeks to make better use of the trail system. While bike lanes are nice and have their uses I really like having an option to get off the side of the streets. Now that the Scull Creek Trail is pretty much completed you have a nice north-south corridor through the city.

no1mad 

An LBS opened up around 8 months ago in the next 'burb over. I met the owner. He moved from Chicago to a small town west of Tulsa. (If you know anything about Tulsa, you know all of the development/growth/$$ is E of Downtown.) He specializes in BMX. Not a bad move considering there is a newish ABA track in Sand Springs and that the nearest LBS was about 15 miles away before he opened.