Wheelworks is a local bike shop with three locations (two in Belmont, one in Somerville), plenty of workshops, and more bikes than you'd ever have time to ride. In honor of bike week, Bostonist spoke with Wheelworks co-owner Peter Mooney about his biking practices. Check the Wheelworks calendar for upcoming workshops and bike week events.

How did you get started biking?

I joined a group of friends (hours prior to departure) for a cycle tour to Squam lake in NH in 1968 (or 67). I started racing with the North East Bicycle Club soon after that.

What inspired you to take the leap from bike rider to bike maker?

Soon after graduating from high school I moved to England to search for a job with a cycle frame builder. I got very lucky finding work with one of the best "one man" shops in south London, Ron Cooper.

Favorite bike you've ridden/owned?

It's a funny thing, but a bike always feels better, the better your overall shape and conditioning is. With this in mind the Masi road bike I was on in 1974 while riding 250-300mi and racing 3 times a week certainly went the fastest.

Worst crash you've ever had?

Sorry, I'm only telling "happy " bike stories today.

Do you have a favorite biking city? Biking tour? Bike shop (besides your own)?

Boston is actually a great bike city. The control of urban sprawl, (especially to the west) makes it easy to get to the bike friendly roads just west of Rte 128/95, even from down town. As for cycle touring, people come from all over the world to tour in New England.

How about a favorite place to ride in Boston?

The road network I mentioned above, just west of 128/95, is my usual destination.

Biggest biking pet peeve (drivers, roads, other bikers, pedestrians, whatever...)?

In a word, Pavement. Those annoying bumps you feel in a car can swallow you whole on a bike.

What is the biggest legislative or other change needed to make it easier for more people to bike, in Boston or elsewhere?

Bikes and cars need to respect each other's right to use the road. Bikes should be required to follow the "rules of the road," but drivers must realize they don't "own" the road. They must also realize that a scratched bumper for them can put a bike rider in hospital. There are no air bags on bikes. I also support a ban on phone use while driving.

Bikes get hit by cars because drivers don't see them, with this in mind, cyclists need to make themselves visible, especially after dark. Drivers need to expect bikes to be on the road. I think a series of ads reminding drivers to "watch for bikes" or "bikes belong" on the roads might be a good start.

Anti-rage image from Wheelworks site.