Cruising in My Mueller Mobile
Guest Post by Mike Sears, Creative Director & Realtor’s Assistant at Mueller Residential Group
Living the Mueller Life Since 2009
When I first moved to Mueller Austin in 2009, I was instantly hooked on the walkability. After years of navigating Austin traffic, the ability to lace up my sneakers and pop over to the park or the pool, or just go for a walk through the greenways was something I didn’t realize I was missing from my days on campus at UT. Pepper in brief stints in Dallas and Cedar Park, and Mueller felt like Stepford (always love an elevator pun). Mueller was designed to be people-first, and that intentional planning shows up in every sidewalk, trail, and shady tree canopy.
That “everything within reach” lifestyle is what’s kept me here for more than 15 years. But Mueller isn’t just where I live - it’s also where my family has planted deep roots. My parents live four doors down from me on the same street. My brother and his family are just a few blocks away. If you’re picturing Thanksgiving dinner as a neighborhood block party, you’re not far off. It’s a built-in village, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
From One Side of Mueller to the Other
In 2014, my wife and I decided to make the classic Mueller move: relocating from one part of the neighborhood to another. Our first house together was great, but as Mueller was finally starting to grow into itself, we realized we wanted to be closer to the action - HEB, the Alamo Drafthouse, and the shops and restaurants along Aldrich Street.
For us, proximity to activity wasn’t about convenience alone - it was about lifestyle. We wanted to be able to grab groceries without the headache of parking, to never be late to a movie, and to be able to walk off an indulgent meal at Colleen’s or L’oca d’Oro.
That move sealed the deal. We weren’t just Mueller residents - we were officially part of the heartbeat of the neighborhood.
The “Mueller Mobile” Is Born
Fast-forward to today, and I’m not just a Mueller resident. As Creative Director and Realtor’s Assistant at Mueller Residential Group (MRG), I live and work right here in the neighborhood. When your home, your office, and the majority of your clients’ listings are all within a couple miles, the idea of commuting by car starts to feel… silly.
That’s where my e-bike comes in.
What started as a casual purchase has become my daily workhorse - my “Mueller Mobile.” Whether I’m riding to an open house on Tom Miller, meeting a photographer for a listing shoot off Berkman, or running down to Aldrich to pick up print proofs, I’m doing it on two wheels. And here’s the kicker: I can often get places faster than if I drove.
Between Austin’s traffic lights, crowded intersections, and the inevitable parking hunt, hopping in the car is sometimes the slowest option. On my e-bike, I’m gliding past the congestion in Mueller’s dedicated bike lanes or zipping through the neighborhood trails. It’s smooth, efficient, and - let’s be honest - pretty fun.
Why the E-Bike Works in Mueller
You can live in a dozen Austin neighborhoods and never fully commit to a bike-centric lifestyle. That’s because most areas weren’t built with cyclists in mind. Mueller is different.
Here’s why my e-bike has become indispensable here:
Dedicated Infrastructure
Mueller’s wide bike lanes and extensive trail system make biking safe and practical. I don’t feel like I’m competing with cars.Short Distances
The majority of my daily errands and MRG business needs are within 1–2 miles. That’s the sweet spot for e-bikes - no sweat, no stress.Lifestyle Sync
Because the neighborhood is already so walkable, it’s a natural transition to two wheels. Walking takes time; biking doubles my radius without doubling the effort.Community Culture
Mueller residents embrace alternative transportation. Whether it’s scooters, strollers, or cargo bikes, you’re in good company.
A Day in the Life with the Mueller Mobile
Take a random Thursday. I’ll start my morning with a quick ride to grab coffee at Whichcraft or Fleet. From there, I might head to an MRG listing on Moreno, snapping a few creative photos or coordinating signage. By mid-day, I’m riding across Berkman to meet the team at Torchy’s for a working lunch. Later in the afternoon, I might zip over to my parents’ place - four doors down, remember? - to check in on them before heading home.
If I’ve got evening plans, I can be at Alamo Drafthouse in less than 5 minutes, park my bike at the rack, and still be early for previews. Meanwhile, anyone driving is still circling the garage.
That’s the rhythm of Mueller life with an e-bike. It’s not just transportation - it’s integration. Every trip becomes part of the neighborhood experience.
Work Meets Lifestyle
Joining Mueller Residential Group blurred the line between my personal and professional worlds in the best way possible. Because so many of our listings are right here in Mueller or within a couple miles, my e-bike isn’t just a convenience - it’s a business tool.
Here’s what that looks like:
Open Houses: Instead of worrying about where to stash my car, I roll up, lock my bike, and I’m ready to host.
Quick Errands: Yard signs, flyers, staging pieces - I can carry more than you’d think in a backpack or attached panniers.
Neighborhood Tours: When I’m helping agents brainstorm creative angles for a listing, biking the area gives me fresh perspective. It’s easier to highlight the walkability and amenities when you’re literally experiencing them in the moment.
Client Connections: Let’s be real - showing up on an e-bike makes people smile. It’s memorable, approachable, and very “Mueller.”
Speed vs. Car Culture
The Austin traffic conversation is almost its own cliché at this point. Everyone has a story about getting stuck on I-35 or circling for 20 minutes to park downtown. But here’s the truth: in Mueller, an e-bike can often beat a car.
Between uncrowded bike lanes, fewer stops, and front-row parking at your destination, I’m shaving minutes off nearly every trip. I’m not idling in front of HEB waiting for someone to vacate a spot. I’m already inside grabbing a bag of breakfast tacos.
That shift - from planning around traffic to planning around convenience - has been a game changer.
The Bigger Picture
Mueller Austin was designed to prioritize sustainability, and biking fits that ethos perfectly. Every ride on my Mueller Mobile means fewer emissions, less noise, and a healthier lifestyle. It’s a small contribution, but multiplied across a neighborhood, it adds up.
And it’s not just about the environment. It’s about quality of life. When I’m on my e-bike, I’m more connected to the neighborhood. I see familiar faces, wave to kids riding to school, and notice the little changes - like a new shop opening or a mural going up - that I’d miss from behind a windshield.
Why I’ll Never Go Back
Do I still own a car? Sure. There are times when four wheels make sense - big grocery runs, road trips, or those classic Texas downpours. But if it’s within Mueller or just a couple miles out, you’ll find me on my e-bike.
It’s faster. It’s easier. It’s healthier. And honestly, it’s more fun.
For me, the Mueller Mobile isn’t just transportation - it’s an extension of the community lifestyle I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy since 2009. It’s a reminder that Mueller was built to be different, and living here means leaning into those differences.
Final Thoughts
When I first hopped on my e-bike, I didn’t think I was changing the way I lived and worked. I thought I was just trying out a new gadget. But a few thousand miles later, it’s clear: this isn’t a toy. It’s a tool. It’s freedom on two wheels. It’s how I stay plugged into the neighborhood I love while helping the Mueller Residential Group bring even more people into the fold.
So if you see me cruising down Berkman on my Mueller Mobile, give me a wave. Chances are I’m heading to a listing, a coffee meeting, or maybe just a quick stop at HEB. Either way, I’ll probably beat you there.
Mueller Residential Group is a paid sponsor of eventsinmueller. Contact hello@eventsinmueller.com to learn more.
