My (mostly non cycling) buddy Michael in Denver asked what the point of this Speed Vest is. Why is it helpful for motorists to know how fast a cyclist is going?

I think motorists see a bike and mostly think “slow.” And yes, we generally are slower than most traffic. But there have been occasions when I’m traveling at or near the speed limit and it seems like drivers behind me still feel compelled to pass me just before attempting a right turn.

Would something like this Speed Vest showing I’m traveling at 27 mph in a 35 mph zone help prevent right hooks? I don’t know, but I certainly understand the rational behind it.

Lance Armstrong responded to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s inquiry this morning on Twitter and confirmed he will race next May in the 2010 Amgen Tour of California.

This was followed by responses from Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and David Zabriskie that they also plan to race in California next May, followed by a Twitter conversation in which they list the reasons they like to race in the Amgen Tour of California.

As far a Twitter PR stunts go, this one was pretty cute and very well executed.

Well, the official announcement was supposed to be at 10 AM, but several people (including the Governator) pre-announced about a half hour ago. Here are the host cities.

Stage 1, Sunday May 16: Amgen Tour of California will begin with a 78 mile race from Nevada City to Sacramento.

Stage 2, Monday May 17: Davis to Santa Rosa.

Stage 3, Tuesday May 18: San Francisco to Santa Cruz, including the Bonny Doon hill climb but without the Golden Gate Bridge.

Stage 4, Wednesday May 19: San Jose to Modesto.

Stage 5, Thursday May 20: Visalia to Bakersfield. (Bakersfield?)

Stage 6, Friday May 21: Pasadena to Big Bear.

Stage 7, Saturday May 22: Los Angeles Time Trial.

Stage 8, Sunday May 23: Thousands Oaks / Santa Monica Mountains circuit. Title sponsor Amgen is headquartered in Thousdand Oaks, CA.

The host cities were revealed during a cute, pre-arranged Twitter conversation between California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and David Zabriskie. The cyclists listed “8 reasons to race the Tour of California” which turned out to be a list of the stages and host cities. According to Tour of California organizer AEG sports, this is the first time an event of this stature has been announced on Twitter.

Elsewhere:

• Bike World News on 2010 route.
• AEG doesn’t like San Diego because of bureaucratic inefficiencies.
• Podium Cafe AToC Route discussion.

The first San Jose Bike to the Movie night is tonight, Thursday, October 22 at the Camera 12, on South Second between San Carlos and Paseo de San Antonio (that pedestrian mall type area).

Tonight it’s “Quicksilver” with Kevin Bacon as a down on his luck stockbroker who discovers purpose as a bike messenger. The story is a little hokey but there’s great footage of NYC fixed gear bike messengers doing their thing back in the 80s.

The Silicon Valley Bike Coalition will also have some bike schwag to raffle off. Watching the movie is (wait for it…) FREE. The SVBC encourages you to ride your bike to this movie night. Light rail and bus are also good options — the Winchester/Mtn View and Santa Teresa/Alum Rock lines both run nearby. If you’re coming from up the peninsula somewhere, the free downtown DASH bus can get you there from Diridon Station (but it stops running at 7 PM), and VTA bus routes 22/522, 23, 64, 81 and several others will get you to within walking distance of the movie.

Race Across the Sky about the Leadville 100 endurance race also shows TONIGHT in theaters across the Bay Area.

Me, I’m joining The Spokesmen to record a bicycling podcast tonight to talk about the Tour of California host cities (to be announced today) and other bike tidbits.

I lived in Boulder County and frequently cycled in the city of Boulder, and I can attest to the bike friendliness and amazing cycling opportunities there. Boulder residents began building for non car transportation in the 60s. Last year, 46% of the city’s transportation budget was spent on cycling, pedestrian and public transit projects! The 2008 Census community survey released last month shows that 10% of commuters ride their bikes to work.

Via 303 Cycling.