Author: Richard Masoner

San Jose City Council Debate TONIGHT

Richard MasonerApril 5, 20162 Comments on San Jose City Council Debate TONIGHT

We’re giving a lot of attention to the national 2016 election in the United States, but local decisions can have a more immediate and greater impact than those at the Federal level. Elections for five of the ten city council seats in America’s third largest city take place in June.

San Jose City Council District Map 2016

Most candidates focus on three key issues at the local level: public safety, housing, and traffic congestion. The focus I’ll have on our candidates here at Cyclelicious will be on transportation, and primarily their views on improving cycling for San Jose residents and visitors.

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Posted In politics | san jose

Hey Planetizen: NASCAR racers already promote responsible driving!

Richard MasonerApril 1, 2016Leave a Comment

VeloNews: NASCAR and bicycle safety

In an April Fools Day posting, Planetizen joked about NASCAR’s participation in the “20 Is Plenty” campaign, which advocates slower speeds and responsible driving to help keep other road users (and especially people on foot and on bike) safer.

The advertisement campaign and public service announcements will feature Matt Kenseth, driver of the 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing. “Focusing on the number 20 is a concept I can get behind,” said Kenseth at the press conference announcing the campaign. “But when you’re driving through my neighborhood, focus on not going above 20 miles per hour. I have kids.”

Initial fan reaction has not reflected NASCAR’s sudden, surprising interest in the personal safety of automobile travelers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

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Posted In safety

Hey Google: Robot bicycles are already a thing

Richard MasonerApril 1, 20164 Comments on Hey Google: Robot bicycles are already a thing

By now you’ve seen the Google self driving bicycle video.

I began planning for today about six months ago when I talked with a film studies student at UC Santa Cruz about creating a video for the same concept of an autonomous bicycle. We began the process of storyboarding and conceptualizing the look of the bike when I Googled “autonomous bicycle” and learned that not only is it already a thing, but it’s been a thing for nearly a decade now.

Asian Institute of Technology Autonomous Bicycle 2008

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Posted In Asia

The Richard Nixon of Brazil rides a bicycle

Richard MasonerMarch 31, 20161 Comment on The Richard Nixon of Brazil rides a bicycle

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff rides a bicycle

Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, rides a bicycle around Alvorada Palace in Brasilia accompanied by her security detail.

The Lava Jato scandal has embroiled her presidency, when a young prosecutor investigations into corporate corruption at Petrobras and other large companies began revealing high level political involvement. The National Congress is considering impeaching her for alleged involvement even has President Rousseff’s approval rating among her electorate drops into the single digits.

Posted In Quick news