Bike EVT
Editor’s Note: This article originally published August 18, 2017.
Milltown is made for bicyling. Open infrastructure, lots of nice surface streets laid out in a convenient grid. Beauty.
Getting around is easy here. The elevation gain won’t make your calves cry (ok, maybe Rucker Hill will get ya). And we have some very nice bike lanes and downtown parking spots. There’s even a special bike light, a protected crossing that runs east/west at the intersection of California St. and Broadway.
See? You’re ready to go.
Special bike crossing. California & Broadway.
WHY IS EVERETT SO BIKE-FRIENDLY?
North Everett was built before the rise of the automobile.
City planners set out blocks that were easily navigable by foot, bicycle or horse. To this day it’s easy to travel by bike within this relatively small urban area. Groceries, the post office, bars, restaurants and local parks all lay within a tight radius.
The bicycle, then, could be seen as a most practical and economical mode of urban transportation in our city, relieving traffic congestion and immediately improving local air quality.
I ride in town because it’s a free workout and I never have to worry about parking.
Sign on Hoyt near 21st. Hoyt is a bicycle throughway that connects residential Everett to the downtown core, taking cyclists on a route past the library all the way to Wall Street.
Everett is also a great place to launch a mid- to long-distance bike tour.
Consider the Interurban Trail—a 30 mile trail (16 miles of it are in Snohomish County), a mostly-paved bike path that allows cyclists to access Lynnwood, Edmonds and Seattle without getting hung up on crosswalks or hopping curbs.
Very nice.
Also, there is a bike path that heads east from Hewitt Avenue, going over the trestle and through the valley to Snohomish. It’s a great way to escape the rat race on the weekend and chill in Snoho Boho with a glass of wine and expensive cheeses. From Snohomish you could hop on the Centennial Trail and cruise all the way to Arlington.
Pigeon Creek makes for a destination all your beachy feels. Hit up the Co-op first to pick up seaside snack. Guess how much Martinelli's paid us for product placement?
SO YOU WANT TO BIKE
You do not need to squeeze yourself into a Lycra bodysuit to ride a bicycle. You do not need socks that wick away moisture or shoes that lock into pedals. You do not need a thousand dollar bicycle to ride. A mountain bike rides as well as a road bike rides as well as a BMX.
All that you need to ride a bicycle is a bicycle and some gumption.
Here are the local hookups.
Sharing Wheels
This nonprofit is your best bet for an affordable bike or a cheap fix. They have fully-restored bicycles at a low price point—their whole reason for existing is to connect people with wheels.
Bayside Bikes
My personal favorite bike shop. Eric (owner, bike fixer) truly knows his craft. I go in there all the time with super-amateur questions. Eric knows what I mean and he fixes whatever in a matter of hours. His small business is definitely worth supporting. If you are buying a new bike give Eric a visit.
Tim’s Bike Shop
Knowledgeable employees here. Tim’s is a long-standing Everett institution. They’re more on the BMX and mountain bike side of the spectrum, which is cool. They can also help you out with your cruiser or city bike.
Young cyclist about town.
THAT'S THAT.
Whatever your motive is for navigating the streets on two wheels, you are now empowered to go and do. Enjoy!
Richard Porter is a writer for Live in Everett and an avid cyclist.