October 18, 2009Leave a Comment
Here’s your next assignment: We’d like pictures of bikes at work. Cargo bikes, delivery bikes, bikes that get the job done — whatever the job may be. International submissions are welcome.
Deets at Streetsblog.
October 17, 2009Leave a Comment
Today is the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake that destroyed downtown Santa Cruz, wiped out Los Gatos, collapsed the Oakland Bay Bridge, and famously delayed the 1989 World Series.
The ’89 quake changed Bay Area transportation in significant ways. Most importantly, the natural disaster highlighted the vulnerability of so much public investment in a single form of transportation (namely roads and highways).
Earthquake retrospectives have dominated the news in the Bay Area over this past week. One story that stuck out for me was that of a Los Gatos family who took over half an hour to drive three miles on wrecked roads. I fully expect even bicycling to be disrupted, but it’s possible to carry a bike over obstacles — something I cannot do with a car.
My dad was an executive for Motorola in Japan when the 1995 Kobe earthquake hit. He led one of the very first rescue teams to arrive in the devastated zone because he and his team used bicycles to haul relief supplies and portable ceullular base stations into Kobe. I reported previously that many emergency response plans call for the use of bicycle messengers if electronic communication is not available.
If you’re inside a bike shop when a quake hits, however, it might be a good idea to run away if this security video inside InCycle bike shop in Chino, California is any indication. This occurred during the 5.4 quake in July 2008.
October 16, 200914 Comments on Submit your Google Trike Streetview ideas
The Google Maps team has a Google Trike Special Collections Poll and they want your ideas on where to send the Google Trike. The Google Trike is a three wheeler with the Google Maps Streetview Camera so they can collect images of pedestrian malls and trails that are not accessible by car. Google mechanical engineer Dan Ratner is a mountain biker. Like many good ideas, the idea of a Google Streetview trike came while Dan was mountain biking.
I’ve never seen the Google Trike but some people I know have seen it in action in the South Bay collecting local bike path info for inclusion in Google Maps. Interestingly, the Bay Trail in Shoreline Park immediately adjacent to the Googleplex in Mountain View, CA doesn’t have Streetview available (yet).
Via Mashable.
October 15, 20092 Comments on Bicycles and balloons
Gee, wasn’t that fun following the adventures of “Balloon Boy” Falcon Heene today, and it turns out he’s safe and sound at home the whole time. My buddy Brian wonders if this was a publicity stunt.
What else happened today?
US headed for massive decline in carbon emissions.
A San Francisco cyclist hit and run journal entry. With photos! His Boing Boing friends seem to think the driver might actually face some consequences, but the reality is that many hit and run cases are never prosecuted or even investigated.
Thomas Dekker — the guy who played a young “John Connor” in The Sarah Connor Chronicles — was arrested for felony DUI after he hit a bicyclist. The victim is a 17 year old kid who was transported to a hospital for minor injuries.
Bicycle Design looks at the Spooklight.
Riding Pretty: Fall bicycle chic dressing trends.
Curtis rides an old man’s bike with old man gear.
Have a good one!
October 15, 200910 Comments on Arc’teryx urban outdoor wear
Arc’teryx, a Canadian sporting goods company known for their climbing and hiking gear, has introduced their Veilance men’s technical apparel (sorry again, ladies) for the urban environment. Check out this blazer, for example, with Windstopper fabric which would look good and work great while biking to work.
Other items from Arc’teryx Veilance include urban styled technical jackets, pants, sweaters and shirts. The pants have zippered pockets! And with the rugged fabric and high quality, the pants might even last through more than a single season of bike commuting. Some of the shirts also have discrete shoulder pockets.
At several hundred dollars and up for these stylish and well made digs, Veilance will be offered at the premium men’s stores that I never shop at.
Via Bike Commuting in Columbus.
October 15, 20097 Comments on Business travel and bicycles
A little birdy told me that the New York Times may publish an article about business travel and bicycles next Tuesday. The article may or may not quote me.
But it’s a perfect lead in to Bike Hugger’s experiences with travel and bikes. They use S&S Couplers so full sized bikes can be broken down to a size that will fit into a 26″ x 26″ x 10″ case that travels as regular airline luggage.
Recently, though, airlines are charging their bike fees even when the bike case does not exceed 62 linear inches! Unbelievably, Air Canada charges their $50 “bike handling fee” even for a Strida folding bike because they claim “the carriage of bicycles requires additional and special handling procedures.” As if.
Bike Hugger’s suggestion? Don’t tell the airlines your transporting a bike. It’s trade samples, or camping gear.
When I travel, I just rent a bike at my destination or use public transportation.
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