Real People Doing Real Things: Biking Success Stories
Melvin Kohn, M.D.
Oregon State Epidemiologist
Administrator of the Public Health Division
Oregon Department of Human Services
Dr. Mel Kohn has been biking for almost 25 years. During college, medical school and most of his career, he has biked to and from work in New York, Boston and New Orleans. In 1999, he moved to Portland and has found it easy to get around on his bike.
It takes about 15 to 20 minutes for Kohn to bike from home to work in the state office building near Lloyd Center. As one might imagine, his primary reasons for biking focus on health.
“Biking is a great way to start the day,” says Kohn. “It allows time to be in the fresh air and wake up. It's great exercise, and really benefits my mental health.”
Kohn saves money by not having to pay for monthly parking at the state office building. He also saves time during rush hour when his bike whizzes by slow, congested traffic. In addition, he rides his bike as much as possible for personal errands because "it's simply more pleasant.”
Kohn says that a helmet is essential to safe bike riding. “With medical school and all, my brain is the most expensive thing I own.”
He adds, “Every rider needs to wear a helmet. While saving time and money are great goals, they don't matter if you're badly injured.
"I feel good that I am doing something positive for the environment by doing my part to reduce traffic, burn less gas and create less air pollution,” Kohn says.
Lumsen family
Beaverton, Oregon
Bike-riders
For the Lumsens, bike riding is more than a summer activity; it´s their main source of local transportation.
Living near Washington Square, they are close to most necessary amenities and thus, bike wherever they can. Due to the rising price of gas, biking in lieu of driving to their destinations does more than help the family´s budget.
“Traveling by bike slows the world down a little bit--it makes me happier,” says Monica Lumsen, a stay-at-home mom. “Traffic and all the stress caused by driving are no longer an issue.”
What began as a fun family activity in the park near their home has quickly turned into a way of life for this busy family.
“We all wear backpacks, load them up at the store and bike back home,” says Lumsen.
And that´s consistent with most of the errands the Lumsens run close to their home.
“We go to the store, the gym and everywhere we can. It´s fun to have a destination in mind. Why drive less than a mile if it's not necessary?” Lumsen says.
Lumsen adds, “It´s better for everyday things, and it gets us outside and exercising. I wish everybody would bike, or at least think about it.”