Pedaling the right path
By Amber Leberman T
rinity Lutheran Church is a few blocks east of Fort Collins’ bustling College Avenue, and just south of Colorado State Univer-
sity. In a city known for its bicycling culture, thousands of cyclists pass the church every day. Tose who arrive on two wheels—or whose
eyes are attracted to the unusual—will notice three thigh-high red circles bisected by crosses near the church’s main entrance. Te custom- made bicycle racks were installed in memory of a member who had been involved in the congregation’s efforts to become better stewards of the environment. Although these racks greet visitors arriving
A biker stops to learn from Wally Jacobson (right) about Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, Colo. Trinity is one of only four churches in the country recognized by the League of American Bicyclists for its friendliness toward bikers and its biker ministry.
through the front doors, the church’s visibility among the city’s bicycling community is largely out its back doors. Its building is just off Spring Creek Trail, one of the city’s most-used bicycle routes. As part of Trinity’s environmental justice emphasis,
‘It’s to try to connect to the faith, to try to have a softer foot- print on creation.’
Trinity even welcomes cyclists
who don’t dismount. A member’s Eagle Scout project involved replacing a pedestrian/bike bridge across Spring Creek that connects the city trail to the church’s park-
ing lot. Taking a shortcut brings them past the church’s garden, fire pit and outdoor worship space. Trough conversations at bike-oriented businesses
the church facilitates members commuting to worship and community folks arriving at meetings by bicycle. During the city’s two annual bike-to-work days, the
congregation provides participants free breakfast bur- ritos, chair massages, guitar and bagpipe music, and free tune-ups offered in partnership with a bike shop. “Te numbers are incredible,” said Wally Jacobson,
a bike ministry and eco-justice team member. Te congregation served 209 cyclists at the 2014 summer bike-to-work celebration, and 103 at the winter event. Te congregation’s promotion of bicycling is about
more than fun. “I would say, at the deeper level, it’s to try to connect to the faith, to try to have a soſter foot- print on creation and try to be healthier,” Jacobson said. Trinity has promoted bike/walk/carpool to church
events since 2005. Two racks in the building’s rear—one donated through a city program and the other by a mem- ber—are oſten at “good capacity” during worship and evening meetings, said Jeff Nosal, bike ministry member. “We have a lot of Alcoholics Anonymous groups and
Narcotics Anonymous groups that meet at the church,” he said. “A lot of people don’t have vehicles, so these bike racks [are used by] people who come for those meetings.”
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www.thelutheran.org
and by participating in city planning, members have helped grow Trinity’s reputation as a bike-friendly congregation. “Local shops know us as a bike-related church,” Nosal said. “I’m always plugging Trinity. Even if I’m not there on behalf of the congregation, I always represent myself as a member of Trinity.” Trinity was the second church in the U.S. (and
remains only one of four) to be recognized by the League of American Bicyclists. Te U.S. Census estimates that 7.4 percent of Fort
Collins residents commute to work by bicycle, exclud- ing students and other daily travel. A 2009 survey by the regional planning organization estimated that 13.3 percent of all commuters bicycle, and that Fort Collins’ households averaged 2.52 people and 2.18 bikes. “Bicycle-friendly businesses play an integral
role,” said Tessa Greegor, bikes program manager for Fort Collins. “Trinity Lutheran serves as a leader in Fort Collins and throughout the country in terms of its efforts to encour- age bicycling.”
Author bio: Leberman, a former staff member of The Lutheran, is a magazine editor in the Mountain West.
JEFF NOSAL
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