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An Urban Move: No Gas Required

By Kerri Provost

February 04, 2012

People move around, in, and out of Hartford all the time.

Usually, these moves involve a borrowed pick-up or rented U-Haul.

On Saturday morning, Tony Cherolis transported his possessions from East Hartford to his new home in the South Green neighborhood using his bicycle.

He was not alone.

About six friends helped Cherolis lug boxes, a sofa, chairs, and an assortment of other belongings across the Charter Oak Bridge and Founders Bridge with nothing more than muscle and a few wheels.

This adventure was not the first time Cherolis opted to move unwieldy objects via bicycle. In December, he transported a sofa by himself, fully aware that he would be having to move it a second time in the near future.

Today’s move was a distance of five miles, which riders described as mostly flat. Dodging potholes and broken glass along the route were described as the biggest obstacles.

Cherolis, who works in East Hartford, is actually increasing his bicycle commute by moving to Hartford. Because he is a contributing writer for the Beat Bike Blog, it is expected that he will be enthusiastic about more time spent riding his bike.

He said that he is looking forward to creating events, such as this move, that get people out and about in the city. Another event he is working on is having the film Bicycle Dreams screened at the Wadsworth Atheneum in March as a benefit for Bike Walk CT, a bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization.

Encouraging people to get out was not the only reason behind the bike move, Cherolis said. He also wanted to send a message to those who are unwilling to ride or walk a mere one or two miles to their jobs because they find it to be too much of a hassle.

Moving heavy objects by bicycle in February in New England can be done.

As the movers/cyclists helped carry furniture and boxes into Cherolis’ new living room, they talked about Alley Cat and Eel races, people towing Airstreams with bicycles, and bike hearses. While they tried to figure out where to get the mandatory moving meal from, one of the guys said the experience was so fun he “didn’t even need pizza and beer.”

Many photos for this article were taken while riding a bicycle.