Ohm on the Range – Davis, California

In the expansive tapestry of California's cycling culture, Davis emerges as a vibrant thread, woven with passion, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of two-wheeled excellence. Nestled in the fertile Sacramento Valley, this unassuming town has become synonymous with cycling, earning its stripes as a veritable mecca for riders of all stripes. To understand the genesis of Davis' cycling prominence is to embark on a journey through time, tracing the evolution of a community deeply entrenched in the saddle.

Davis' Rich Cycling History

Long before the advent of carbon frames and electronic shifting, Davis was already pedaling its way into the annals of cycling history. The seeds of its cycling fervor were sown in the 1960s, a time of burgeoning environmental consciousness and a nascent desire for alternative modes of transportation. As the countercultural waves swept across California, Davis stood at the vanguard, embracing bicycles not merely as recreational tools but as instruments of societal change.

This radical change began in 1959 when Emil Mrak, then Chancellor of UC-Davis, had the unique vision of a bicycle-only campus, implementing the most efficient means of travel into mass adoption in the perfect environment, the flat and fair-weathered community of Davis, CA.  The pivotal moment arrived in 1966, when the University of California, Davis, adopted a bold policy mandating the inclusion of bicycle paths, there first of their kind in the United States, in all new campus developments. To drive the point home, car ownership on the UC-Davis campus was also banned, creating a culture shift of green and sustainable transportation.

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This visionary decree laid the groundwork for Davis' transformation into a cycling utopia, fostering a symbiotic relationship between academia and advocacy that endures to this day. Indeed, the university's ethos of sustainability and innovation permeates every aspect of Davis' cycling culture, shaping the town into a living laboratory for pedal-powered progress.

Fuelled by grassroots activism and community engagement, Davis soon emerged as a trailblazer in bicycle infrastructure, erecting an extensive network of dedicated lanes, paths, and roundabouts that crisscross the town like arteries pulsating with life.

By the 1980's, about 30% of Davis residents were commuting by bicycle, which is a remarkable number compared to the national numbers in the USA in 2021, which hovered around 1% . Many say that in the 60's and 70's, those numbers were even higher than 30%. This commitment to cycling accessibility earned Davis the prestigious title of "Bicycle Capital of America," a testament to its unwavering dedication to the two-wheeled way of life.

Where does Davis stand today?

The amount of time and resources that the City of Davis has dedicated to cycling infrastructure cannot be understated. With almost 6 decades of municipal buy-in, Davis has transformed into a veritable oasis for dedicated-bike lanes and pathways, with around 98% of the main streets having some sort of bicycle provision.

There are 63 miles of bicycle pathways and approximately 102 miles of bike lanes, showing a commitment to safety and efficiency for bicycle commuters. The city was even the first in the USA to install bike-only traffic signals, installed in 11 intersections throughout the city. The city takes pride in their unique design concepts and innovation when it comes to transportation infrastructure.

Davis' cycling pedigree extends far beyond mere infrastructure; it is woven into the fabric of everyday existence, manifesting in a myriad of cultural phenomena that define the town's identity. From the iconic Davis Double Century, a grueling 200-mile endurance ride that attracts cyclists from far and wide, to the whimsical Tour de Cluck, a poultry-themed bicycle parade celebrating the town's agricultural heritage, Davis pulsates with the rhythmic cadence of pedal strokes.

Community Driven

Yet perhaps the most enduring legacy of Davis' cycling community lies in its spirit of inclusivity and camaraderie. Here, cyclists of all ages and abilities find sanctuary, united by a shared passion for pedaling and a profound reverence for the open road. Whether navigating the labyrinthine network of bike paths or congregating at one of the town's many cyclist-friendly cafes, Davis offers a sanctuary for those who seek solace in the saddle.

Indeed, to ride through the streets of Davis is to bear witness to a living testament to the transformative power of the bicycle. It is a journey that transcends mere physical exertion, transcending boundaries of geography and time, weaving together the past, present, and future into a seamless tapestry of motion and momentum. Davis stands as a beacon of hope and possibility, a testament to the enduring allure of the humble bicycle and what can be done with dedicated community members and a whimsical idea.

As the sun sets over the golden fields of the Sacramento Valley, casting long shadows across the quiet streets of Davis, one thing remains abundantly clear: the wheels of progress continue to turn, driven ever forward by the indomitable spirit of a community bound together by the simple joy of riding. And in this timeless pursuit of pedal-powered excellence, Davis shines as a guiding light for cyclists everywhere, beckoning all who dare to dream of a world where the journey truly is the destination.