Only in Oregon

Virginia Xing (Left featured with community outreach specialist), Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life’s performance analyst who is actively involved in the community outreach program by helping with children’s programs at local schools as well as inspiring local cyclists.

Briefly describe Eugene bike culture and how it differs from other places you’ve lived?

When I first began working here [Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life] I wasn’t riding my bike at all. I was doing just bookkeeping, then I moved back to Taiwan for family and I picked up cycling. I later learned that Eugene is the most heavenly environment for cyclists. From my view it’s truly amazing we have bike paths everywhere, a few miles we get to the country roads. It’s open – safe. The bike lanes connect and can really take you anywhere.

How do you personally participate?

I commute to work, race competitively, participate in-group rides, as well as cyclocross races. However, when I ride to work I find it really refreshing to ride slowly and riding with family, friends, and just myself it really allows me to clear my head. I enjoy them all in combination with one another.

How does the Eugene bike culture influence the community?

It is so bike friendly, you’re able to ride everywhere safe. It is one of the best transportation means in Eugene, if not the best. I find friends more often on bikes than anywhere else. It’s like a tool just like a phone you talk to people using it as a means of communication, when you’re on the bikes you get to know them and it allows the community to become closer.

How do you think Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life contributes to the community?

Our employees volunteer for community outreach and station themselves to help participants in different races with malfunctions to get them back on the road and finish the ride. We often go to schools to do “bike rodeos” to teach kids how to patch a flat and minimum bike maintenance and stay as safe as possible. Any community big ride events we are sure to volunteer our time to help riders. We are definitely out there, which is part of my big part of my responsibility and gratifying to us to contribute back to the community as much as possible.