As y’all know by now, we’re passionate about cycling here at AltDaily.

Dah bikes.

So when we heard about Go Green Bikes out of Norfolk, we were tremendously excited. A company that rents bikes by the day, week, or month, and even delivers? What a perfect way to get visiting friends on two wheels, or to get a bikeless buddy to try it out for a day to help them realize what a wonderfully bikable place it is we have here.

I sent Go Green Bikes owner Jennifer Warren some questions to learn more about her part in making our city greener and bikier (yah, it’s a word now.)

AltDaily: Give me your elevator speech on your company. What’s it all about?

Jennifer Warren: Go Green Bikes is a bike delivery service that started July 1st of 2009.  You call me, you tell me how many bikes you want to rent, I deliver them to your residence or hotel and pick them up from you at a pre-arranged time from the same place.  You get a bike, bike lock, helmet, and a basket upon request.

What sort of market research did you do before starting up? Does Norfolk trend as a bike-friendly place?

My research actually came from Tybee Island in Atlanta. Noticing how our Tidewater area has become more bike friendly and seeing how we have attracted more visitors over the years it seemed like a great idea and a good way to give back to the community. The more our city grows, the more environmentally conscious it seems to become. I just wanted to be a part of that positive growth and keep the momentum in that forward thinking motion.

Jenn. (Photo | DeAnna Casey Photography)

Tell me about where your passion for bikes came from. (Also, where you’re from and such.)

My father was in the military so I traveled some as child. I attended Maury High School, played tennis and graduated from George Mason University. I lived in New York for 3 years. This is probably where bikes first piqued my interest. I moved back into the Tidewater Area in 2004 and have happily rooted here since. The more I see our city grow, the more it drives me to get back to the basics and utilize a more cost effective, low emissions mode of transportation. Bikes are a great way to get a little exercise while get a different take on a new city and it’s surroundings; or, seeing the city where you have lived for years in a totally new light with new-found respect and experiences.

What was your career before this?

I am a communications major, so I have had many careers in my  life thus far. What motivated to actually start this business was the unfortunate situation of losing my job. I was unemployed for a year and a half. Starting this business gave me hope, motivation, determination, and empowerment to accomplish things in my life.

Picture you rollin.

Clearly cycling has not been as supported as it could be on an institutional level here in Norfolk (see: lack of bike lanes). What are three big changes you’d like to see that would positively affect local bike culture?

I will second that on the bike lanes. But something as simple as accessible bike racks would be a great start.  All too often you drive around by the water and restaurants and see four, five and even six bikes locked, chained and intertwined to one electrical pole or a parking meter. I feel that if we support a local biking community with “bike spaces” of their own we would see a large increase of bike traffic.

For those that haven’t ridden around here much… Do you think it’s safe? What are your safety tips?

Of course there are always the non-bike friendly, high traffic areas. But I provide a map to my customers that navigates them on which paths are great, good, moderate traffic, and high traffic routes.

Last question: What are your favorite bike rides here in the area?

My favorite bike route by far is starting in Ghent, riding through Stockley Gardens, going over the bridge and crossing that the light on Brambleton Ave., heading down the cobblestone road around to the Pagoda passing Nauticus and riding through Town Point Park to catch the Ferry over to Downtown Portsmouth to ride along the water and down near the Naval Hospital and ending up at my favorite restaurant, STILL.

For more information, check out their website.