8675309jl

I've recently relocated to Memphis, TN for work. It seems to be a very un-Bike type of towm. I would like to know if there is anyone on this board that commutes in Memphis?

vendorz

Never lived there, but I've been in and out of Memphis all my life... I agree, it is not very bike-oriented. On the other hand, the traffic isn't so intense that it is undoable.

KnoxBreezer

I guess it depends on what part of town you are in and where you have to go. I grew up in Memphis, and I can say it's probably not very high on the "bike-friendly" list. That being said... if you live in the burbs and commute to destinations inside the burbs, you're probalby better off than having to go "into the city" and back by bike. Investigate the bus system, do they have racks on the front of the busses? May make it easier to partially bike/bus to work and back.

garysol1 

First off ....Welcome to Memphis. I thought you just moved to Western PA? We came here the long way from Pittsburgh. No, Memphis is not western PA but it is growing on us. If you have any local questions.....cycling or otherwise please feel free to send me message.

DynamicD74

I grew up in Memphis, as well. I don't know that much about commuting in Memphis, but I do know that Memphis has some great bike trails around Shelby Farms that you might enjoy for more leisurely riding.

gpsblake

I've only driven through Memphis by car but it is one of the places I would like to visit on a bike. Is crossing the Mississippi in Memphis doable on a bike without risking your health?

garysol1 

That would be a negative. I actually don't know where the closest bicycle crossing would be.
Note: I am told the RT.55 Bridge has a sidewalk but I have my doubts you would want to ride across it.

DynamicD74

I wonder if you could bike across on the old Harrahan bridge. It is the old railroad bridge that runs beside the "old," bridge that goes across the river. Native or long time Memphians refer to the older bridge, not the I-40 bridge, but the I-55 bridge, as the "old," bridge. Anyway, I don't know if the old Harrahan bridge is still in use or not, but if it's not, that might be a candidate for crossing the Mississippi at Memphis.

garysol1 

Can you even get to that bridge using roads that you can ride on or would he have to get on RT55?

Kermit 43

I know this is an old thread but I didn't want to start a new one.

I've just started commuting and have seen at least 6 different people commuting this week. There are a few specific roads that can get you between downtown and out to Germantown rather safely.

Anyone on here that's commuting in memphis?

The sidewalk on I 55 is safe to ride if you want to cross the river.

Artkansas 

Well, I commute a little down I-40 in Little Rock. Little Rock is pretty anti-bike, and according to one cyclist I know, was voted as the worst city in the U.S. for bicycling in 1990.

That set me looking for a bicycle advocacy group to improve conditions in Little Rock. I found Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas and am now active in that. Recently, Little Rock got an Honorable Mention by the Bike Friendly Communities folks. So we are making headway.

A quick search of the web did not turn up a Bicycle Advocacy group in Memphis, but did turn up a bicycle coop, RevolutionsMemphis. Also you might check out the Mississippi River Trail organization. There might be like-minded people there.

gulfcoast

I moved to Memphis about two years ago and have been commuting by bike. First, let me start by saying that Memphis is NOT a bike friendly town. Drivers here are completely unaware of cyclist and have no concept of actually sharing the road with a bicycle. As for the bike infrastructure (bike lanes, paths, wide shoulders), it is almost non-existent. On a positive note, it is nice to know there is one more bike commuter in this city. I hope you keep your guard up and assume that they just don't see you. Make sure you are very visible on the road by adding bike lights and wearing high visibility or reflective gear. Last but not least, keep on riding. Take your lane and ride like you mean it. It is possible that we are influencing future bike commuters.