How far south have you been on the Monon?
53% Downtown (10th Street trailhead)
22% Not south of Broad Ripple
Are you here working out or just joyriding?
> “I’m here six days a week—96th Street is like a hangout. People here all know my dog. He’s Moe the Monon Dog.”
Do you feel safe on the trail by yourself?
70% Yes
19% Yes—mostly/usually/during the day/in certain areas
4% No
> “Yes, I have my mace right here. I rigged it onto the handlebars.”
Where did you come from to use the trail?
21% Midtown
17% North side
13% Broad Ripple
9% Carmel
7% Downtown
7% Fishers
6% East side
5% Westfield
2% Geist
2% South side
2% Zionsville
2% Out of town (Mooresville and Lafayette)
1% West side
> “We don’t have anything like this [in Lafayette]. I love how clean it is. It’s like people really care.”
Has anyone ever tried to pick you up out here?
> “Nope. Wait, do other people get asked out on the Monon? Am I missing out?!”
> “Yes. I was running with a group, and another group started running with us.”
> “I’ve gotten smiles.”
> “The dog is a magnet.”
How far south do you feel safe alone?
30% Downtown (10th Street trailhead)
21% SoBro or 38th Street
5% Broad Ripple
How much did you spend on the bike you’re riding today?
20% Between $100 and $500
15% Between $500 and $1,000
12% More than $1,000
7% Under $100
> “Our bike rack cost more than both of our bikes combined.”
How would you improve the Monon?
> “Put a bridge over 86th Street. I’ve seen someone hit there. It’s a busy road.”
> “Deal with the brownfields so the area below 38th Street can be developed.”
> “There should be times set aside for people who want to seriously bike. That’s the main public-health problem, beyond crime. Bikes going 30 mph can kill a person. Some guy hit me head-on. Broke my rib.”
Photos by Tony Valainis
This article appeared in the June 2013 issue.