Hello! I’m Reg (yes, THAT Reg for all you punk rockers and fishbowl drinkers from the 90’s and 00’s), Reg McMeen, that is, and I love Lincoln! I’ve been here since 1980 when I started at UNL but I was pretty familiar with our fair city growing up seeing as my parents and their extended families were from here, as well. I spent a lot of those years running bars and restaurants and raising a family so there wasn’t a lot of time for biking, although there was always a bike in the garage that I hoped to get to eventually. That day finally came when the nest emptied and I discovered how easy it was to get around on Lincoln’s amazing trail system.
The Billy Wolfe trail ran right through my neighborhood at 70th & Pioneers so that’s where my adventure began. Getting downtown was a breeze and only took maybe an extra 10 minutes versus commuting in my car. I was hooked. Soon I was leaving half an hour earlier so I could travel the Boosalis trail to the Rock Island and on into downtown. Eventually, I thought I knew ALL the trails and how to get around but a whole new world was opened up to me when I began riding with The Pub Pedalers on Wednesday nights. New routes every week and new restaurants, too! Riding with a group is great and there are a ton of opportunities if you do a little digging on Facebook. Great Plains Bicycle Club is a good place to start.
What would I like to improve in the Lincoln cycling scene? How about more awareness? Participation? A more favorable view of cycling by non-cyclists? More emphasis on which city streets are safer for cyclists between trails? More information regarding accessibility to bikes (bike rentals, The Bike Kitchen, UNL and LPD bike auctions…)
As stated earlier, I love Lincoln and the trail system is one of the biggest reasons why. There are so many hidden gems in this town that are accessible by bike (bonus points if you can tell me where this Buddha is located!). Riding out to a concert at Pinewood Bowl (or any event for that matter) could not be easier. From Red Winged Blackbirds to White Tail Deer and even Skunks, wildlife is abundant on Salt Creek Levee and Jamaica North trails. And, I feel completely at ease taking my grandkids for a spin on the trails, too.
I feel a special bond with the bikers, e-bikers, walkers, runners, skateboarders, walkers or anyone else who has discovered and is taking advantage of our trails. I like to call them The People of the Paths and I feel like we are all kindred spirits. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to spread the word about all of this stuff as a Board Member of BicycLincoln. Ride on!