Mighk Wilson
Mighk Wilson (pronounced “Mike”) says he’s been bike commuting for nearly 40 years, starting with his first paper route at age 10. In 1987 he toured the U.S., from Orlando to Portland, Maine, to the Oregon coast, and down to Oakland, California. If it can be done on a bike he’s probably done it (except for working as a bike messenger). In addition to touring and commuting he’s raced (a bit), mountain-biked (not enough), been an advocate, built mountain bike trails, played bike polo, and met the woman who became his wife and tandem co-pilot (Carol, former Executive Director of Florida Bicycle Association). He’s biked over 150,000 miles and in 37 states (plus Ontario).
He has been a cycling educator for more than 15 years, working with the Florida Traffic & Bicycle Safety Education Program and Florida Bicycle Association (FBA). Mighk developed the Alternative Transportation Education for FBA; the program is being conducted through Seminole County Courts and the Florida Safety Council, and is the co-developer of FBA’s new traffic cycling course. He has been a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for Metroplan Orlando since 1993, and has recently taken on additional duties in smart growth planning and analysis. He received his bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and Growth Management at Rollins College in the spring of 2008. He has served on the board of Florida Bicycle Association since 1999.
Having used a bicycle as his primary mode of transport for so long he’s come to realize that he lives in a kind of alternate reality.
“It occurred to me the other day that I live in a different reality from nearly everybody else. Every so often I’ll bump into a casual, non-cyclist acquaintance I haven’t seen for some months. As often as not that person will ask, “Still riding your bike?”
“I find it hard to resist rolling my eyes and saying, “Well duh, yes, why wouldn’t I be?” Perhaps I should respond with, “Sure. You still driving a car?” In my reality bicycling is normal. In theirs it’s pretty strange.”
“In my reality bicycling is not only normal, it is safe, easy, and (most of the time) fun. Bikeways are not necessary and most motorists are courteous. Of the few who aren’t courteous, most are just poor, pathetic convicts in a prison of their own making, so I try not to give them a hard time.”