Nashvillians who hope for bicycling to become a practical, safe and sustainable daily mode of transportation know the city has a long way to go to reach that goal.
This became apparent as Nashville faced an unexpected distinction in 2023 – it was crowned America’s worst commuting city, surpassing urban hubs like New York and Los Angeles. Forbes Home based this ranking on the percentage of households without access to a car, the city’s average commute time to work, a walking score, a transit score and a bike score.
Decades of commuting challenges have led to passionate calls for change in the city’s transit infrastructure – a call embraced by Nashville’s newly elected mayor, Freddie O’Connell. A native Nashvillian, the mayor transcends the role of a typical political figure. He stands as a trusted advocate for the cycling community, yearning for safer, more accessible streets. His vision extends beyond traditional transit improvements; it encompasses a commitment to making cycling an integral part of Nashville’s transportation landscape. In this mayor, Nashville finds a fresh start – a new beginning for a city that has ranked among the nation’s toughest for both commuters and cyclists alike. Even O’Connell’s trusted dealmaker, the former Metro Councilperson and new Chief Development Officer for the city , Bob Mendes, often commutes to work by bicycle and can tell you the status of various bike lanes around the city.
“Freddie is now in a seat to make a difference,” said Austin Bauman, an avid cyclist and owner of two local bike shops, Green Fleet Bikes and Shelby Ave Bicycle Company. “He was just another guy at the advocacy meetings because he believed in it just like the rest of us. He just kept showing up. A key part of his and our potential success is having people continue to support him in these issues.”
Nashville’s recent distinction as the nation’s most challenging commuting city in 2023 is tied to another stark statistic: in a 2022 study, the city earned the unenviable fourth-worst ranking for bicycling in the United States. Two cyclists in Nashville died this year because of traffic violence as did dozens of pedestrians.
“People often say that Nashville is too hilly, or it gets too hot in Tennessee [to bike],” said Tyler Logel, also known as Tyler the Bike Guy. Logel spends well over 40 hours a week on his bike as a courier and daily bike commuter. “These aren’t things that people in other cities really think about. Milwaukee, one of the bicycle-commuting capitals, is extremely cold five months out of the year.”
Within these challenges, local cycling advocates harbor optimism. They see in the mayor’s vision a Nashville where cycling is safe, convenient and woven into residents’ daily lives. “Freddie being elected has pushed a much greater confidence in the city,” Logel said “Conversations within the bike community are very positive. That is very hopeful.”
Both Logel and Bauman see a positive path forward that requires unity, collaboration, and a collective commitment to change. It’s not “us versus them.” It’s a shared vision where cyclists, engineers, planners and policymakers come together, listening to each other’s perspectives, and working collaboratively to design streets prioritizing safety, accessibility and sustainability.
“Private contractors working to improve city infrastructure aren’t commuters,” Logel said. “They don’t fully understand bicycles, but they’re eager to reach out to the community in January and have a meeting with commuters and downtown riders to address practical issues in infrastructure.”
Bauman adds, “We have to stop and listen to each other. Just like fixing a bike in a shop requires understanding the customer’s problem, improving bike safety and the commuting experience in Nashville depends on city leaders and stakeholders who listen to each other.”
In the spirit of listening and unity, Nashville embarks on a journey in 2024 toward safer streets and a brighter future, a future where the voices of cyclists, engineers, planners and policymakers harmonize to create a thriving, bicycle-friendly community.