tagged w/ Bicycles Not Cars
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--full article/click link--
Caltrain officials will consider removing some seats to accommodate the growing throng of bicyclists who regularly find themselves bumped from rush-hour trains when room runs out for their two-wheelers.
"We obviously know well that there is much more demand for bike capacity," Caltrain chief Michael Scanlon said Thursday.
Scanlon said he has asked Caltrain engineers to review how passenger rail cars can accommodate more bikes - either through reconfiguring or removing seats - without compromising safety or displacing walk-on riders.
He said the result could be modest. He'd like the study to be completed within the next few months so the changes, if feasible, could be implemented by spring.
The announcement came as the Caltrain governing board unanimously adopted the "Bicycle Access and Parking Plan," the rail agency's strategy to deal with bikes on trains and at stations.
"I can't think of anything worse than arriving at the station and not being able to get on the train," said director Jerry Hill.--full article/click link--
Caltrain officials will consider removing some seats to... more
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A solar-powered bicycle has been invented, which could soon take the strain off a commuter's legs and the environment.
The bright yellow 'Cycle Sol' operates like a normal pedal cycle but has a canopy lined with solar cells overhead. When the user pedals in the sunshine the rays charge up a battery which powers a small electric motor hidden in the back wheel.
This then propels the bike forward at speeds of up to 15mph. It also lowers the resistance in peddling to make it easier for the rider to cycle up hills.
The bike was invented by designer Miroslav Miljevic. 'I designed the bike as an eco-friendly piece of technology to help commuters.' he said.
Mr Miljevic, who is based at Z & Co Design in London, says that the motor can be fully charged while the recumbent bike is chained up outside on a sunny day. And when the sun isn't shining the bike can be charged up by plugging it into the electricity mains.
The Cycle Sol is in the concept stage at the moment but Mr Miljevic hopes to mass produce it once he has found a manufacturer.
'It is just like an electric bike but the motor runs on a battery that is powered by solar energy.A solar-powered bicycle has been invented, which could soon take the strain off a... more
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The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition celebrated the installation of San Francisco's first ever bicycle traffic signal at the notoriously dangerous intersection of Fell and Masonic on the Panhandle Path.
The SFBC has spent years advocating for safety improvements at this intersection, and we are relieved that this safety fix is finally in place. This special traffic light separates the crossing light into two phases--pedestrians and bicyclists will receive a white walk and green bicycle signal respectively when it is their turn to cross, and then a separate green arrow will indicate when motor vehicles can turn left. These separate light phases ensure that bicycles and pedestrians do not cross paths with left-turning cars.
Read from the sf bike coalition site: http://www.sfbike.org/?fellmasonic
---article from sfgate.com's City Insider---
San Francisco cyclists and transit officials on Tuesday unveiled new traffic lights to help bikers cross safely at the busy intersection of Masonic Avenue and Fell Street.
Within minutes, cars were ignoring it and blowing through the red no-left-turn arrow.
A biker waits to cross Fell Street at Masonic Avenue.
OK, so it's going to take everyone a few days to get used to the new lights. But cycling advocates said in the long run, the changes are going to prevent a lot of accidents and scary near-misses.
The intersection is among the city's most dangerous, said Leah Shahum, head of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Just three weeks ago a woman was hit by a car while crossing Fell Street and suffered a broken rib.
The lights are on the south side of the intersection, where cars turn left from Fell onto Masonic. A multi-purpose trail runs through that intersection. What happens is cars making the left turn on a green light don't see bikes coming from the trail.
"It's one of those situations where no one's at fault," said Shahum.The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition celebrated the installation of San... more
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There will be a memorial ride for Jordan next Tuesday evening (9/30) at 7:00 pm; gather at the east end of the Panhandle (McKinley statue near Fell and Baker)
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//Remembering Jordan McKay, San Francisco Bicyclist
We're deeply saddened to report that late last Tuesday night that Jordan McKay, a young man and SFBC member, was shot and killed on Cabrillo Street in the Richmond District while riding his bike home from BART. Our hearts go out to Jordan's family and friends; we mourn for him as a fellow urban bicyclist and a fellow human being whose life was ended suddenly and pointlessly on an otherwise peaceful street.
There will be a memorial ride for Jordan next Tuesday evening (9/30) at 7:00 pm; gather at the east end of the Panhandle (McKinley statue near Fell and Baker) and we'll ride into the evening together to inhabit the streets with life and celebrate one life lived too briefly. Wherever you go, ride safe, and remember Jordan.There will be a memorial ride for Jordan next Tuesday evening (9/30) at 7:00 pm;... more
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What do New York City, San Francisco, Portland and Miami have in common? Ah…not much you would say. The first three are revered as some of our country’s most progressive, sustainable and livable cities. But Miami? Well, the times they are ‘a changin’.
Enter BikeMiami.
Last December I wrote an op-ed to the Miami Herald urging city officials to make a Miami more bicycle-friendly. I wrote because the pure lack of attention being paid to bicyclists represented a larger issue. Miami was choosing not to compete as a 21st century city. Although bicycle-friendliness does not encompass all things livable in a city, those cities who have pursued such a noble goal are those that are also progressive in many other ways. As a result, they are capable of outperforming others in the pursuit of new talent, investment and sustainability — a buzzword if I have ever heard one.
One of the items that I mentioned in said op-ed was Bogota’s Ciclovia, an event that closes 70km of city streets and hands them over to what makes a city work, it’s people. The shear success of Ciclovia — with thousands of bicyclists, pedestrians, joggers etc. participating every Sunday — has had a catalytic effect on how North American cities are starting to view their streets. In many respects, Bogota has become what Jane Jacobs calls a ‘pattern city.’ That is, a city that inspires other cities to emulate its success.
Well, mark your calendar Miamians, because the City of Miami is closing several downtown streets for what is now being dubbed BIKEMIAMI. Sources close to Transit Miami confirm this landmark event will take place on Sunday, November 9th. The exact times have not been scheduled, but know that it will likely run from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Bicyclists, skaters, pedestrians, joggers, roller bladers, yoga fanatics and everyone else and there mother will be invited to come downtown and enjoy their city — without cars.
All the details are still being worked out, but TM will be there every step of the way to report on updates and concurrent events as they become available.
A big thank you has to be bestowed upon the Bicycle Action Committee and those within the Mayor’s office who have made this little seed I planted grow into a reality. Also, please know the cooperation across City departments and with groups like the Miami DDA and the folks who run the ING Miami Marathon has been instrumental.
More to come…
In the meantime, check out StreetFilms‘ work documenting Ciclovia type events in the aforementioned cities. I think you will like what you see.
Spread the word.
Maybe we’ll put some magic back in this city yet.What do New York City, San Francisco, Portland and Miami have in common? Ah…not... more
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Forget about trading in your SUV for a Prius, how about scrapping it altogether in place of a bike?
Gas, as we know, is virtually a luxury item these days, and even still the reality of ditching ones car is more achievable for some than for others. But excuses won’t be stopping the Tour de Fat. The Tour de Fat is a rambling carnival of two-wheel toting cyclers advocating bike-for-car swap outs accross the country this Fall.
What you’re likely to find at one of these peaceful demonstrations are bicycles of all shapes, colors, and configurations, live local bands, and hordes of cyclers who fearlessly gather by the thousands in the name of pedal power.
You can burn at least 300 calories an hour or about 25 per mile which requires a good amount of fuel in the form of food, or in this case, beer. The New Belgium Brewing Company is the primary sponsor of the Tour de Fat pumping a steady stream of fermented hops and good spirits throughout this multi-city tour.
For some essential commuter cycling tips and more on the Tour de Fat, read on.
Photo by fastboy.
Read the rest of this entry »
Forget about trading in your SUV for a Prius, how about scrapping it altogether in... more
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This is pretty bad ass. Better than a one-handed manouver, it is a gadget on wheels. lovely!!
You can even download the software if you are willing to geek out
'HELLO IM THE CONTROL PANEL'- LOL
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Gina Trapani's new bike is one of a small fleet of GPS- and cameraphone-equipped bicycles that Flickr has deployed in several cities around the world. Flickr + GPS + solar power + bicycles = how can I not be utterly charmed?
The bikes have handlebar-mounted cameraphones (Nokia N95s, based on the metadata in the Flickr photos) that are set to snap every 60 seconds while the bike is in motion. The photos then get uploaded, along with their geodata, to a special Flickr account.This is pretty bad ass. Better than a one-handed manouver, it is a gadget on wheels.... more
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Proposed bike lanes in Williamsburg, Brooklyn are being criticized by the local Hasidic Jewish community. They are concerned that the paths will encourage more scantily-clad hipster women to ride through their neighborhood. Hasids are not allowed to look at members of the opposite sex, if they are not fully-clothed. The community protested billboards for the new 90210 series, which were then taken down.
On one hand it makes sense to say that an insular community should be allowed to uphold its own standards, but on the other this is a public works project that benefits the entire city.
What do you think?Proposed bike lanes in Williamsburg, Brooklyn are being criticized by the local... more
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It may seem counterintuitive, but according to a recent report more cyclists on the road mean fewer accidents involving cyclists and motor vehicles.
This happens because as more cyclists hit the road, drivers are more aware of their presence. Not only are drivers looking out for cyclists, but as interaction between cars and bikes increase, drivers learn how to drive safely and respectfully around cyclists.
So, if you’ve ever thought about getting out on a bicycle, consider this: you will be safest in communities with the most cyclists; your contribution will not only keep a car off the road, but will help make everyone safer.
Happy riding!It may seem counterintuitive, but according to a recent report more cyclists on the... more
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According to a study by researchers at the University of New South Wales, the number of collisions decreases as the number of bicycles in traffic increases. It sounds like a paradox, they say, but motorists are more likely to drive carefully and respectfully when there are more cyclists on the road.
If that is the case, let's get the pedals turning!According to a study by researchers at the University of New South Wales, the number... more
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ahowes
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added this
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4 years ago
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It's no surprise that many estimates show more people around the country using their bicycles to get around, and now some employers are actually rewarding employees who ride bikes to work with extra benefits.It's no surprise that many estimates show more people around the country using... more
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Good article on the variants of the industry, politcs, economy and international affairs all surrounding the power of the two wheels. Pedal Power indeed, go India!
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Progress is happens one step at a time.
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(image) Pedal power: A file photo of activists at a BJP rally. Political parties have begun to distribute bicycles for free to pull in votes.
Commuting concerns
A significant proportion of the working population even in cities—postmen, newspaper deliverers, snack sellers, construction workers and so on— cycle to work every day.
Their cause hasn’t been helped by roads that have no clearly marked lanes for bicycles, making their daily commute a hazardous affair.
In recent terrorist attacks in Bangalore and Jaipur, bombs were found planted in bicycles. That could crimp demand if more cities and states ask buyers of new bicycles for proof of identity as New Delhi already does.
“This will create a problem because a majority of the people who need a cycle, say in a village, do not have any such proof,” says Ishwar Chugh, director, Atlas Cycles, which produced 250,000 cycles last year.
Still, those who have to, and those who want to, use bicycles, even in cities.
Postman Brahmanand Maji in New Delhi prefers to commute on a cycle. “It’s easier to distribute mail on a cycle.”
The children’s bicycles segment of the market is growing by around 18% a year. Several foreign companies such as Sri Lanka’s Lumala and the US’ Firefox Bikes Pvt. Ltd and Trek Bicycle Corp. are present in this market. At around Rs1.9 lakh, Trek’s high-end bicycle costs as much as the least expensive car currently available in the market, the Maruti 800.
“We are saved by the children, and now the government programme,” says Omkar Pahwa, managing director of the Rs325 crore Avon Cycles Ltd, which produces 1.5 million bicycles a month. The company saw its export m argins drop by 3% last year, but domestic sales grew three times “because of government buying”.
Still, India doesn’t have a cycling culture, says Ludhiana-based Avtar Bhogal, who exports axle hubs to Europe. “In Europe, you can expect a chief executive of a company to ride to office. In India, a politician rides for publicity for one day and the media is all over about it. Then, everyone forgets.”
In June, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party pledged to ride a cycle to work once a week to protest a hike in fuel prices announced by the Union government.
He stopped his pedal-pushing protest last week.
Good article on the variants of the industry, politcs, economy and international... more
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Bikes with chains may be becoming an endangered species. Belt-driven bikes, which were introduced by boutique bike makers a couple of years ago, are just starting to hit the mainstream. Trek has introduced two new urban bikes for 2009 with belt drives rather than chains, and they look pretty sweet.
The benefit to a belt drive system over a chain and shifters system is that it won't stretch and break over time like a chain, weighs significantly less, stays clean (and keeps your cuffs clean) and is quiet. The downside? It's more expensive. The two bikes Trek has unveiled, the District and the Soho, will run you $930 and $990, respectively. But as with all new tech, the prices are always highest right when it starts hitting the mainstream. Look for bikes with belt drives to start coming from many more big bike companies for much less in the coming years.Bikes with chains may be becoming an endangered species. Belt-driven bikes, which were... more
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While Northern Europe and Japan have figured out how to make bicycle commuting a safe, cheap alternative to driving, the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain have not.While Northern Europe and Japan have figured out how to make bicycle commuting a safe,... more
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The first one out of two - Sunday Streets San Francisco, was loads of fun and free of motorized traffic worries. All ages were out there pedaling, walking, running and everything else and on top of it all, was such a gorgeous day. Beautiful!!!
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(SAN FRANCISCO) -- Thousands of people from throughout the Bay Area converged on San Francisco's streets Sunday, but they weren't protesting anything.
Instead, people of all ages rode bicycles and scooters and jogged and strolled on 4.5 miles of waterfront streets closed to car traffic for the city's first Sunday Streets event.
Mayor Gavin Newsom first proposed the street closures in July, modeling it after a program in Bogota, Colombia. Other cities across the world and in the United States have similar street closures.
Newsom took criticism for not taking enough time to talk with merchants and neighborhoods that would be affected. The complaints persuaded city officials to shorten the length of the street closures and cut the time that cars would be banned.
On Sunday, Newsom - who jogged the entire route with his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, - said he would "commit to an objective evaluation" of the event and make any necessary changes for future closures. Merchants at Fisherman's Wharf, who were concerned that closing part of the Embarcadero would hurt their business, are planning to compare sales from this weekend to last weekend to look for any impact.The first one out of two - Sunday Streets San Francisco, was loads of fun and free of... more
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As a bicycler and Portlander, I can attest to the usage of these forms of infrastructure. As a leftie, I think it should be far more widespread, and be seen commonly across the country and world. With a little planning and foresight, we can have cars and bikes co-mingle, increase business to local shops, and make alternative transportation smarter and safer. As a bicycler and Portlander, I can attest to the usage of these forms of... more
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One day while riding her bike in Mt. Tamalpais, Marin County resident Marilyn Price had an idea of getting kids and bicycles together. That idea shortly became Trips for Kids. Founded in 1986, and a non-profit since 1988, Trips for Kids has benefited more than 1200 kids annually.
Truly inspiring story click on image or ‹here› for the full San Francisco Chronicle article (by Shelah Moody, Chronicle Staff Writer)
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Each week, The Chronicle features a Bay Area resident who has won a Jefferson Award for making a difference in his or her community. The awards are administered by the American Institute for Public Service, a national foundation that honors community service. Bay Area residents profiled in The Chronicle are also featured on CBS5-TV and KCBS-AM, which are Jefferson Award media partners, along with The Chronicle.
One day while riding her bike in Mt. Tamalpais, Marin County resident Marilyn Price... more
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Attention pedal lovers at Twin Cities!!!
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Promoting the good bicycling culture in Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, a collaboration between a photographer and media arts studio has been born. Sounds like a great event to participate if you are in the area and share your bike love.
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"...We decided to do something to give back to the Twin Cities to help promote and support a local community that we admire – the local bicycle commuter community.
Minnesota has one of the largest year-round bicycle commuter communities in the country – impressive considering our harsh winters. In order to celebrate and promote biking as a healthy, economic, and traffic reducing lifestyle – we’ve decided to organize a group photo taking place on October 4, 2008 at 3:00pm, rain, shine, or snow, for everyone and anyone who pedals their way around in this crazy world.
Sign up for the Unite Bike 2008 group photo under the RSVP tab to find out the final location and we will see you there.
Unite! Bike! ..."Attention pedal lovers at Twin Cities!!!
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Promoting the good bicycling culture in... more
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Are these the prius of bikes?
Helpful for people with physical things going on, arthritis, bad back etc.
Two wheels are always better than four.
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(ASSOCIATED PRESS) Over 10,000 electric bikes were sold in France last year, up from 6,000 in 2006, according to the Conseil National des Professions du Cycle, an association of bike professionals.
When Honora Wolfe and her husband moved to the outskirts of Boulder, Colo., she wanted an environmentally friendly way to commute to her job as a bookshop owner in the city.
Wolfe, 60, found her solution about a month ago: an electric bicycle. It gets her to work quickly, is easy on her arthritis and is better for the environment than a car.
"I'm not out to win any races," she said. "I want to get a little fresh air and exercise, and cut my carbon footprint, and spend less money on gas. And where I live, I can ride my bike seven months out of the year."
The surging cost of gasoline and a desire for a greener commute are turning more people to electric bikes as an unconventional form of transportation. They function like a typical two-wheeler but with a battery-powered assist, and bike dealers, riders and experts say they are flying off the racks.Are these the prius of bikes?
Helpful for people with physical things going on,... more
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There's a nice video at the likn, I couldnt find how to post it (flash)
Tai-chi and bikes.
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Good perspective when he shares the road with the bus.
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By Mike Lopresti, Gannett News Service
BEIJING — As an out-of-towner on a bicycle, trying to fight four city buses for the same lane, my life flashed before me outside the gates of the Forbidden City. With Chinese subtitles.
But let's not get ahead of the story.
The idea Tuesday was to party like it was 1969. You might remember pictures from Peking back then. More people on bicycles than you could shake a red book of the thoughts of Chairman Mao at.
To relive the good old days, the solution seemed obvious. Commute from the Olympic media center to downtown on a bike. Twelve miles, door to Gate of Heavenly Purity.
One problem. They don't make morning rush hours like they used to back in Mao's salad days. According to the Olympic information desk, in 1978 there were 77,000 vehicles in Beijing. This year, there are three million.
So instead of the Cultural Revolution, we'd be getting southern California. But away we went anyway, a small gaggle of Americans. Besides, there was a story on the Olympic News Service about a grandmother who came on the back of a tricycle 1,440 miles from the Hunan province to see the badminton competition.
And even that wouldn't make it embarrassing if I chickened out, except she's 97.
My bicycle cost $40. One speed, and no foot brakes, but they threw in a bell.
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There's a nice video at the likn, I couldnt find how to post it (flash)
Tai-chi... more
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