Case Study: Sydney Sepulveda
Sydney Sepulveda is a superstar Program Manager with the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC). After purchasing her first adult bicycle in graduate school, the turquoise cruiser became her primary mode of transportation in no time. With a wicker basket up front and a rack in the back, Sydney was able to commute with any needed cargo on her beloved bicycle! Once or twice a week, Sydney commutes by bicycle – whether to work, run an errand, or go for an evening ride.
She knows first hand that switching to a bicycle commute can be scary as you have to share the road with vehicles much larger than you. Sydney shared a few pieces of advice to overcome this fear: "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Don't get caught up in having the perfect bike, attire, or tools and equipment. Find a route that you feel comfortable riding, ride the route a couple times when you aren't pressed for time, and set a small goal, like riding once a month or once every few weeks. When you begin feeling more comfortable, set goals to commute by bike more frequently.” And of course, there is power in numbers! Finding a buddy to bicycle with is a quick and easy way to build confidence on the road.
Once you start rolling, it won’t take long to fall in love with a bicycle commute. For Sydney, there is a sense of childhood nostalgia when you feel “the breeze tickle your skin and your heart pump with the warm rush of energy from each push of the pedals.” Plus, the benefits for personal health and the overall environment only increase the joy of riding!
As a team member with MMDC, Sydney has been thrilled to see the network of bike lanes consistently grow throughout the years. The innovative approach of using discarded tires to create barriers around bike lanes, finding low-cost methods for traffic calming in the Medical District, and increasing asphalt art create a more enjoyable ride for all. Momentum is consistently building to support sustainable transportation, and there is no reason to stop here!
“Memphis is still in need of more infrastructure to support people on bikes, like protected bike lanes, traffic calming devices, landscaping and street trees, and a more connected trail network. Building infrastructure around people outside of a car will also help create safer and more enjoyable streets for all users,” Sydney concluded. We agree!
Visit the MMDC website to learn more about the unique work they are doing to change the face of transportation in Memphis.