Urban Indy

After graduating from Ball State University in 2010 with a Bachelors degree in Urban Planning and Development, I jumped right into being a practicing professional. Now in my second year as such, I have learned many lessons not taught in the classroom. I have also come to realize some generalizations about the public are strikingly true. Everyday I wake up with the promise that I, with the help of my neighbors in this city, can make the world a better place. All too often, that promise is broken before lunch. But once in a while, there comes along an idea, an alignment of hope that makes me proud to be an “Indy” (nickname pending).

After college I moved back to Indianapolis where I have lived all of my life, but this time I would do it right. A friend and I signed a lease to explore the art of Urban living, as Buckingham so kindly describes it. The shocking proximity of Downtown swept me off my feet, but I immediately got back up because that was my only transportation. I left the car at home and gave myself up to a submissive lifestyle of Indygo, walking and biking and I’ve never looked back…..except when turning or crossing at an intersection. I am now a proud resident of Fall Creek Place.

My commute to work has been expanded slightly and I now ride the bike exclusively for any major travel in the area. The journey is 32 round trip miles and I love it! I am almost positive I will die this way, but I’d rather go out on a bike than in a car. I average about 2 people a week that honk out of anger or provide me dismissive banter to chew on for the day, but every now and then I am provided words of encouragement or envy. People often call me crazy, but end the conversation with positive feelings. When asked why I do it, I often struggle. “Is it for the environment?” they ask. I guess to some degree, though I cite my savings as the biggest motivator. I love biking for the savings, the exercise and yes the environment, but ultimately I ride because it is what I preach. If I am going to subject my friends and family to hours of discussions on the benefits of cycling, I better have my butt on a bike. Likewise, I argue the benefits of urban living and am in the process of that test run.

Indianapolis is my home and I will fight to make it better than when I found it.