Bicycle Blog Cyclelicious

Noddin Elementary School bike rodeo =v= This like this are why the word "W00T" was invented. I'm so glad to hear this close-to-happy-ending. I know as a parent I would have gone crazy. Colorado county seeks bike ban from public roads Just ban crashes. If you make it illegal to crash, nobody will do it. Simple as that. Funny that you consider regulations on a public roadway communistic. Public roads are communistic! It is odd to me how terms like communism and terrorism represent things we don't like, and have lost their true meaning. This is ridiculo.us Lobbyists + Preaching Fear + Tyranny = Disaster

"We're saying to our lobbyist to look at the possibility of having some discretion on what roads can have bike traffic and which cannot."

County Attorney Wakeman said state law gives cities and incorporated towns authority to regulate cycling on roads, but the law is unclear when it comes to counties.

"we have stacks and stacks of e-mails from citizens that live there (opposing cyclists)."
Jack Bike advocacy during times of declining budgets Cyclists to ride in budget protest We need more of this kind of events! Just put yourself in the world of a child these days, put yourself in the head of a individual who doesn't have the chance to explore his or her own world. Someone who's bound to the car of the parents.
Your mother brings you to kindergarten, later to school and then as a result of not knowing any better, as soon as you get the chance, you'll get the drivers license so you can continue the lifestyle you're used to.
We need to provide alternatives, to provide opportunities! Who wouldn't want to protect children from unnecessary slashing? N.Y. Times on Earl Blumenauer League of American Bicyclists finances look a bit shaky In addition to financial problems, the League has alienated many of its long-time and most loyal volunteers by excluding them from League governance.

Five (out of 12) directors are appointed, not elected and thus not answerable or responsible to members.

The current election has three seats open but like Soviet Union elections there is no contest in any of them -- only one candidate per seat.

Sneak Bylaws changes of 2003 made it extremely difficult for members to get on the ballot unless the board approves. This is why the League has a Soviet style election now.

You can read more about these and other problems at www.labreform.org LAB's Form 990 return for 2007 was received by the IRS on 9/22/08 and is posted on the Guidestar website [http://www.guidestar.org] at [http://tinyurl.com/9syh36] . Free registration with the GuideStar website is needed to view such information. Bike commuter benefit now law! Howdy--

It's a start, and maybe it can help shift perceptions, especially if large corporations use it to help encourage cycling.

I don't think it does much for me, being self-employed from home, since it specifies employer reimbursement for travel to and from work. I fail on both counts.

However, I do travel about town for work, usually by bicycle. What I need is to be able to write off my milage as an expense, mile by mile, just as I would in my car. As it stands, I would actually realize such a substantial tax break for driving, it would almost be worth it financially to use the car.

Not only should there be a milage write off, it should be equal that of a car. I realize the expenses are far from equal, but it would be recognition that taking one car off the road has tremendous social benefits. After all, corporations can earn carbon credits for cleaning up--I'd be happy to take credit for the carbon I keep out of the atmosphere in the form of a tax credit.
Happy Trails,
Ron Georg
Moab Nice door zone shot!

20 bucks a month. I'll try not to spend it all in once place. 8-) Awesome! It's about time. It's a baby step in the right direction. Too bad it had to get passed this way. I have to concur that $20 per month is a trifle and is highly unlikely to cause anyone to give up their car.

California's Complete Streets Act was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger on 9/30. Over time it's much more likely to encourage cycling than the Commuter Act (for Californians anyway).

Alan @ EcoVelo Too bad it's all about miniscule tax incentives. The only way to change a culture is to quit subsidizing self destructive behavior and to properly expense services.

First steps:
1. All highways must in effect be toll roads,
2. Raise gas taxes in order to more fully fund road maintenance budgets,
3. Enforce emission standards,
4. Federal level of Complete Street legislation, and
5. Vehicle size rules on public roads or tax vehicles by weight not just book values.

The idea that Sarah Sixpack gets federal subsidies for driving a fuelish SUV to pick up her kids from school, allowed to pollute the surrounding air, destroy the roads, and lower safety standards unnecessarily is irresponsible.
Jack What we need is someone to explain exactly how we bike commuters can take advantage of this...it's only $20 a month, but hey -- a step in the right direction.

Any way to create a tutorial on how to actually DO this? Ghost - I have a followup planned that more or less describes the existing transit benefits and how the bike commuter benefit fits into that. This is the first time I've ever been ashamed to be a cyclist - due to crass feeding at the political trough. Subsidies for cars is no excuse for subsidies for bikes. Instead of adding the second evil, cut the car subsidies! I'll be taking this info to my employer tomorrow morning, but I need to know, so I can prove my case on this, how are they getting reimbursed? Is the government going to reimburse them?

Second, what is a reasonable amount of commuting per month? I generally ride to work 3-5 days per week, as long as the weather plays nice, is that enough? Mike, the specific benefit is IRS Section 132(f). If they already provide benefits under this section of the IRS code (e.g. reimbursement for parking or mass transit) you'll have an easier time, I suspect. Twenty bucks, and that's it. The inflation clause (6) explicitly mentions only the existing two amounts, so this one won't be increasing. This is great. I have been getting $15/MONTH for 3 years. Now its ta free. This is like a __% (fill in your taxable rate) increase. And it cost me was $34K per person in my household to bail out the suits on wall street. Thanks for spreading the word on this. However, it would have been even nicer if the woman in the photo was wearing a helmet. It might mash her nice hair, but that would be better than having to shave it for stitches or worse. Fritz,

While all this is nice, its upon the company's discretion whether it wants to comply with fringe benefitting for bike commuters. Your company's HR may say 'oh, we elected not to comply with section 123 (f)'. I mean 132 (f) Yep, it's all elective. Section 132 is common for large corporations, but probably not so much for smaller businesses. I think it is ironic that the sponsor of this bill ultimately stuck to his guns and voted against the bailout...so this "sweetener" didn't even succeed in buying his vote.

I do think this is a great idea, but there is confusion over what this does. It will allow an employee to designate $20/month of their salary to go to a Transportation Reimbursement Account--as is currently possible for parking and transit at much higher levels. The employer is not going to be giving you an extra benefit; the benefit is that you can avoid paying taxes on $20/month of your salary. The government is not paying you $20, it is just not taxing $20 of your salary.

How you take advantage of this benefit, starting in 2009, is to hope that your employer already has a section 132 plan in place and that this option can be added to it. The cost to the employer is purely administrative, but you do have to get past that initial hurdle if your employer does not currently do anything like this.

I do not see where this law limits cyclists to a choice between bike, park, or transit. My understanding was that you can currently designate both transit and parking, so why not also bike? I agree with Steve A. Subsidizing cars does not create a justification for doing the same for bikes. This issue is a flea on a cow's butt compared to other issues that need to be addressed in this country. To celebrate this subsidy is really quite sad.

Henry S Dave, slight correction -- many employers provide Section 132 benefits on top regular salary, instead of taking it out of the salary pre-tax like cafeteria plans. IRC 132 allows it to be done either way. My last three employers provided my transit benefit on top my salary, while the previous to that took the benefit from my paycheck first pretax.

As part of the defintion of "Qualified Bicycle Commuting Month," the code says "and does not receive any benefit described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1)’" (i.e. the other benefits). So all the feds have done is subsidize commuting... or to put it another way, subsidize employment & tract housing separation.

If they were serious about reducing commuting costs (in both economic and environmental terms) then they would give substantial housing write offs to those that live close to where they work.

As it stands now, non-commuters are penalized for having the smallest commuting carbon footprint! Anyone have any idea how to go about getting the $20 credit? My employer (federal government) provides transit checks at no cost already, so I assume it should be pretty easy. What do I need to do? What does my personnel person need to do? And is the credit only useful as reimbursement for actual expenses? For example, do I get a $13 check if I spend $13 to fix a flat and submit a receipt, or do I just get a $20 check each month? Anon 8:40: First you need to find out if your agency will even offer that benefit for you. It's not required, even for Federal government agencies. Good luck! That's my question as well: do I need to provide receipts/documentation for all of my biking expenes or do I simply receive an extra $20 a month? With that in mind, does my employer need to have receipts/proof on hand for all of their biking commuters? Any help would be much appreciated as my company is seriously considering implementing a program such as this for the year 2009. Anon1:40 - receipts are unlikely. Section 132 has almost no paperwork requirements. Frankly, this section of the IRS code is wide open to fraud and abuse -- the transit checks are frequently available on Craigslist, for example. Hey, I also commute to work via my bike. I would like to develop a mini proposal for my fortune 100 company that I work for... I am thinking this could be kind of a grass roots level of effort to promote this healthy lifestyle.

Has anyone created a little powerpoint summary of the commuter law, examples of companies that have implemented, clarifications in a FAQ section like how many days do you need to commute a month, ideas on how to implement it, etc. This would be so helpful in preparing a proposal. Tom Tom, when you create this presentation let me know and I'll be glad to help you get the word out about it. I think you're breaking new ground here. National Bike Summit 2008 in the news ...fritz...are you getting back east for any of this cycling summit conference ???... Z sez: Yield to Life ...while i'm guilty of making fun of dave z's new moustache, i've always respected him as a cyclist...

...now, w/ his intelligently named "yield to life" i can't tell you how much admiration i have for the guy...no need for me to mirror the worthy objectives here, but needless to say, a well conceived program...

...fritz, you mentioned the exchange amongst various types in sf...i thought it interesting that someone who was objecting to cyclist's riding on certain "dangerous" streets specifically mentioned 'fell st' which has a decent width bike lane on it's south side over a good portion of its length...when it hits the panhandle, blocks before gg park, the lane channels you into paths through the 'handle...
...i've both ridden & driven it recently & find it decent for either of it's purposes...

...i only mention it to shed light on the naysayers who would object even when reasonable accomodations are made...some folks just never like to give ground... thanks for the HPT plug; to add to that rant, just learned that Squid & Co. have canceled Monstertrack! - in part due to the fatality in Chicago and increasing concern about the ability to manage the race.

http://bikeblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/monster-track-9-race-that-isnt.html Got in Fritz and read DaveZ's comments, upsetting but inspirational. His dedication to cycling and his goal to improve the cycling environment will benefit everyone...good for him.
Jack Share the road? My belief that the signs DO help to educate the public is based mostly on my firsthand experience commuting to work when I lived in Atlanta several years ago. Part of my commute was on a fairly busy road (Dekalb Ave) and it was fairly common for me to be honked at or yelled at, especially during the morning rush hour. The rest of my commute was fine. I didn’t have any problems in downtown traffic, but on Dekalb many motorists thought I just should not be on the road. Once the signs went up, the number off motorists who reacted negatively to my presence greatly decreased. The change was dramatic enough to make me a believer that the signs did the job that they were intended to do.

I am not naïve enough to believe that road signs can actually change anyone’s attitude. If someone hates to see bicycles on the road and considers cyclists to be a public nuisance, nothing is going to change their mind. The signs are, however, effective for the drivers who simply do not know that cyclists have a right to be on the road. Maybe these drivers think that bicycles belong on the sidewalk or should stay on greenways and bike paths; I don’t know. Regardless of what these drivers do think, the signs exist to educate them to the fact that bikes DO belong on the road along with cars.

And yes, I do start with the basic assumption that most people are going to continue to use their present mode of transportation (for the foreseeable future at least). Until gas prices increase dramatically from their current level, that is just reality. I wish everyone rode and that I didn’t have to share the road with cars, but it is just not going to happen. No, I don't think you're overanalyzing it at all. I'm sure everyone has thought of this in the back of their minds at least once or twice: "Hey, I'm trying to convince everyone that bikes are fun while griping about what a pain in the rear it is--what's up with that?"

I wouldn't say "share the road" is the wrong message, but maybe only half of the right message? I'm with James--most people do drive their own cars, and that's not going to change. Maybe we should up the ante on the hazards of automobiles? I'm not the hazard, the careless inattentive driver is the hazard! And yet driving with a phone in one hand and a sandwich in the other is seen as a perfectly normal, generally safe thing to do. "what message does this send?" is more complicated - or maybe more simple - than we usually make it. I'm not sure signage have the clout to send messages that aren't strongly reinforced by other attitudes & behaviors. Here's the argumetns I can think of for the other side.
This is a recurring theme - we *want* bicycling to be considered a mainstream activity, not a 'special hazard.' However, for many communities, that's a goal that's going to take serious time and concerted effort because it's a cultural change. We have to be careful and try to make the changes we influence keep moving thigns at their various speeds in the right direction.
Lots of things get those diamond signs - railroads, schools... drivers are expected to pay more attention. Are schools dangerous? Do RR crossing signs discourage using railroads?
I don't see why "share the road" means "with the car you'll continue to use forever." It doesn't say "please," any more than the school signs say "please give the students a little consideration."
The message the signs send are imbued with the culture behind them - that's what we have to change. Definitely, absolutely, we tend to say "safety" and "bicycling" together too often - and to compound the harm, then we stop at "always wear your helmet and obey traffic laws!" Do we treat driving the same way? No... we act as if, with a modicum of caution, practice and training, a person can safely and efficiently use that thing to get places. People don't say "you go on the *interstate*? You are so brave! Those trucks!" Hmm, on that note, this is going to blow people's minds. A human-powered vehicle that's called and looks like a car! Welp, there aren't ads on the telly for bicycles.
However - I dare say there is *much* more presence of cyclists *having fun* than there used to be. The weather channel and AP are reporting on year-round cyclists. One great idea for cities with huge traffic problems during rush hours, etc.

Develop "Bus Only" lanes but allow bicycles in the lane. What a contrast! Peterson and the Bicycle Alliance have many very positive programs in place and the resources provided to cyclists are great. STP ideas are superior to STR but STR is a step in the right direction.

STR signs are the best StL advocates can accomplish. They're not perfect but they do remind everyone about cyclists' rights...which really is NEEDED in a city that places a high priority on motorized travel. If signs aren't important than the whole ad industry must be wasting clients' money.

Much more important than STR signs is advocacy that strongly supports cycling rights, law enforcement and Complete Streets. None of these strategies are supported in St Louis. Local funds are used to build poorly placed bike paths in far out rural areas or in areas where they're not needed.

In the last year in St Louis, major cycling routes have been made much more dangerous and pedestrian routes over highways have been permanently eliminated. Cyclists are told "to get off the road and use sidewalks" by law enforcement and local leaders suggest that cyclist "find their own paths", away from needed main routes. A few more STR signs are the only positive gain.

Making cycling "irresistible" starts by supporting bike friendly environments as advocated by the League of American Bicyclists. The video shows a cyclist riding in the middle of the road and on sidewalks...positive messages? Biking is good but this video is not.

Bicycling is especially dangerous when drivers fail to STR and are not held accountable. Positive videos on STR and keeping cycling safe are available. "Making bicycling look fun" is ridiculous at best when infrastructure and law enforcement are anti-cycling.
Jack will--DC has the bus/bike only lanes, but cars drive in them all the time and the rules are NEVER enforced. They'll only work if the local PD makes a commitment to enforce them, and I doubt there are many jurisdictions where that's likely to happen. Similar idea to bus/bike only lanes is this bus/bike/HOV only during certain times in Denver.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/71961038/ I think I can unequivocally say that there ARE people out there who do work very hard to make driving seem as dangerous as it can be.

My father for instance, is the producer of Red Asphalt, and has spent his life trying to teach people to wear seat belts, not drink and drive, and follow traffic laws for their safety and the safety of others.

Comparing car advertisements to bicycle safety messages is apples and oranges. The purpose of each is different.

I agree that cycling must be encouraged in a way that things like wind energy are, but that costs money. If Specialized could buy GM, why aren't they advertising on television to change public views of cycling?

They're not because they don't see the general public as their target market. And if the bike manufacturers don't see cycling as a product ready for mass media consumption, how can anyone else? San Francisco bike plan on hold two more years ...that's rather harsh...a plan that would serve & benefit thousands of sf cyclists' is put aside indefinitely because one cantankerous curmudgeon, who takes issue w/ anything cycling related, happens to know the procedure for stymieing progress...

...selfish move, anderson... Bicycle haiku and other bicycle blog madness A meme in need of promotion is that it is your patriotic duty to save oil for our boys and girls in uniform.

They need your oil to fight for freedom.

It's one thing to drive a light truck if the tray is full of tools - on the other hand, commuting alone with your laptop in an SUV is an unamerican activity. Yep, Anon, that's kinda how I feel about it. When you drive alone, you drive with Hitler or Osama or Ahmadinejad or al Qaida or whomever the bad guy is. To change the subject slightly, I'd be interested to hear how cyclists in general scored on the GMAC driving test... because I scored a 95% as well. Trek: One World, Two Wheels jzyofwonderful concept, I love your one world, two wheels campaign...I'm there Transportation commission chair explanation and apology That's nice, but any chance she could get her retraction posted in the newspaper rather than just on this blog? City Traffic Commission: Cyclists are insane idiots As Chairperson for the Saratoga Traffic Safety Commission I want to apolgize for allowing any words I have uttered to be so misunderstood and misquoted. This quote is so outrageous as to not even be believable, but I guess we all tend to believe what we read. My quote should have read "that" road which refered to a discussion about one road in Saratoga in particular whose conditions are dangerous for all vehicles in many places. This road has a long history of accidents, community concern and media attention. At this same meeting we later discussed bike lane safety for which the other quotes in the article refer to. I have worked for many years WITH cycling through the commission to add biking lanes, sign appropriately, Safe Routes to School and promoting biking and walking as an althernative to driving. I have always worked diligently to have families bike to school and have been involved in most of the design work in our cities attempt to renovate schools and inmprove traffic in around them to promote safety. I, of course, do not think this awesome sport is insane nor idiotic, and where else would anyone bike if not on the streets? Parking lots! The misquote came from a differnt discussion in the same meeting where we addressed one address on one street. I do reserve the right to have an opinion about one very dangerous road in my city,knowing full well that it is within the rights of all bikers to ride where they want when they want. Thank you,
Brigitte Ballingall Thank your Mr Ballinger for leaving your comment here. I appreciate that. I hope my followup is reasonably accurate! Dear Fritz,

Your follow-up was greatly appreciated and an accurate summary of my post. I wrote a letter and sent it in response to a few emails I recieved yesterday. I will format it as a "Letter to the Editor" that will not "retract" a statement I never made but explain the statement I did make and what it refered to. The quote is not only inaccurate and out of context; it is absurd. I am concerned about the negative publicity this will have for a city that has been committed to cycling promotion and safety. But, I am most concerned of about cylist safety and how this distorted statement might potentially negatively influence that.
Brigitte Ballingall Safe Routes to School and promoting biking and walking as an althernative to driving. I have always worked diligently to have families bike to school and have been involved in most of the design work in our cities attempt to renovate schools and inmprove traffic in around them to promote safety. I, of course, do not think this awesome sport is laptop batteries insane nor idiotic, and where else would anyone bike if not on the streets? Parking lots! The misquote came from a differnt discussion in the same meeting where we addressed one address on one street. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters: Bike facilities a waste This administration has proven time and time again its lack of vision. The "MBA Presidency" is looking more and more like it -- this nation is being run like Enron.

We could create new jobs and fix our infrastructure at the same time with some sort of "War on Sinkholes," but I don't think that has the sexy ring that the "Global Struggle Against Religious Extremism" has. SFPD bicycle training video Yes a step in the right direction. However, rules and enforcement are two different things... let us know when the latter is used to defend and support cyclists' rights. Thanks,
Jack We need an initiative like that here in Melbourne. There is quite a bit of agro between motorists and cyclists at the moment. A few criticisms:

1. San Francisco Police Officers - not that good at acting.

2. "I'll catch up to the motorist, you catch up to the guy on the bicycle." simply means "I'm going to stop up here, you go ALL THE WAY down the street to get that guy". He was greedy by taking the easy catch.

3. When the police officer catches up to the guy down the street, if you look further down the street, there is a car parked facing the wrong direction. I know in many cities that is an offense that can be ticketed.

4. "Bet you coffee" is illegal gambling. The police are not setting a good example.

5. At 6:16 remaining, there is obviously a car with it's hazards on in the bike lane.

6. At 4:56 remaining, you can clearly see the same car parked illegally in the street.

7. The cyclist who was intimidated should have kept what was thrown at him. A littering fine would add insult to injury.

8. The girl hit that hit the car is wearing a microphone on her sweatshirt. Seems sketchy, maybe she's working undercover for the SFPD in some type of insurance fraud scheme.

9. When the group exclaims "Bikes Belong In Traffic, Share The Road", they are obviously taking up the entire road. This can create an unsafe environment for all and is probably illegal.

In all seriousness, it's a great training video for SFPD. A good initiative. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed it very much. Let's hope that drivers get a taste of it as well. Thanks for the post; cool video. It would be nice if they'd include something along those lines in driver's education courses. I've had 3 kids go through driver's ed and none of them have every gotten any information on how to drive around cyclists. I'll try to remember this link for the next 2 kid sessions. Three CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms:

1) Dooring is NOT the most common bike/car crash. The left-turning car clipping the opposite-direction bike is the MOST common.

2) NOBODY, cops included, is using rear-view mirror.

3) If bikes are allowed the FULL use of traffic lanes, wat up with da bike lanes? Suppose SF just lose 'em! Crime and perception I'll look through the files, Fritz. I know I did an informal count of motor vehicles stopping/not stopping in front of the library one afternoon. But I won't have it until this evening, at least. "My best advice to any bicyclist encountering such bias is to vigorously push back. Bicyclist behavior is entirely consistent with traffic behavior in general. Which transportation mode poses the greatest danger? Which mode offers the greatest social benefit?"

YES!!! Hmmm... which direction to "push back?" Global ferocious enforcement for all the violators, or global ferocious focus on the benefits? +1. Plus the effects of my errant biking are far less...

http://ndanger.org/blog/2007/07/02/should-truckers-crush-cars-an-analogy/ No Kidding. I bike to work every day, and it amazes me how many motorists seem to think I shouldn't be on the road, and push by with little to no room left for myself, occasionally causing me to run off the road. Our city by-law says to ride in the middle of the lane if you feel you don't have enough room. Maybe I should try that... We've still got these folks that, I believe, in-your-face confrontation isn't going to help:
this guy ... I'm not sure what will get this guy out of "roads are made for cars." I mean, otherwise sensible people honestly believed for years that "women just can't... (fill in the blank)" or believed in spontaneous generation, for that matter. Guerrilla bicycle facilities lol That sounds like a great idea. They should actually dress up like city blue collars and they wouldn't be bothered. It was up for 2 weeks? Hummm, that's an idea I will bring up to the next critical mass here. Great blog by the way.

Gerry :) That's an idea I've often had. Interesting that they *didn't* want to be confused for the real thing - seems they still actually hope to hold the Real Thing accountable for their delays and inefficiencies. Amoral bicycle commuter welp, it's no longer "cool" to be a hippy dippy except in certain enclaves in Urbana. People are reluctant to admit they are Trying To Be Good, since it's obviously a Lost Cause and simply not comprehended by The Masses. (or perhaps people are reserving the moral stuff for the Religious Right?) Too true... driving in a two-ton energy consuming beast so as to save a bead or two of sweat is serving the devil of civilization. Too bad DOTs in every state have already sold our future to these demons.

The only way civilization will wake up from this stupor is through skyrocketing prices and much unnecessary suffering.
Jack I started riding to work about 15 years ago simply because I love cycling and the commute is free riding time. Back then, I didn't really even think much about the environmental benefit of replacing the car trips. Now, I still primarily ride because I enjoy it, but I also feel good about getting around under my own power. I am lot more of an evangelist for bike commuting these days, and luckily there is a growing receptive audience. I, too, have been recently considering the notion of the morality of driving. I doubt the notion would ever take off, but I'd sure like to see it do so. [my post]. When I'm thinking about, or actually riding, the environment, gas prices, fitness never cross my mind. But if anyone asks me I say, "for the environment, gas prices, fitness". I wrote on a forum days ago that in an era of dwindling resources motorized recreation is nothing short of immoral.

My reasons for practical bicycling are partly selfish, partly idealistic. Why not have both? I never gave up on what was truly good about the hippy dippy stuff, regardless of how the trendoids might sneer. How many of them drive to spinning class? Meanwhile, we who really ride are out there on the road reminding the motoring public that there's another way to do things and some of us are doing it. My new policy is to answer the question of "Why don't you have a car?" with "Because driving when other options exist is unethical."

I can't wait for the blank looks of response. Thanks for the comments, all.

I wonder: Because hippy-dippy is uncool, do we tell others cycling is fun "but I also appreciate the side benefits" doing so for the same reasons many of my Christian friends tell me they fast (or pray or whatever) for practical, non-spiritual reasons? Is it to avoid social ostracisization that all humans naturally avoid? We are like soup or soup ingredients. We rub off on each other, even if we are unique. I try to be curry instead of tofu in the mix :-) Whether it's The MEdia or Your Momma, it isn't in current fashion to do things because it's right. I believe there's an undercurrent of fear that we really can't afford to do that; that there really isn't enough to go around, so if we share, we'll end up with Nothing 'cause we're the sucker. (Okay, I recently read The Road in preparation for GITAP's Velosophie, which is a pretty insipid, too-long book but that's one theme... and in the soup it has rubbed off a little on me.)
Unlike soup I can resist it, though - but that soup is also an arteryin the bloodstream of life, and it's best to resist in ways that don't activate the antibodies of fear that make others surround you with white blood cells and nullify you...
FDR was right. We have nothign to fear but fear itself. That fear really can take us down. Fear not to simplify. I bike because I can't afford a car. Greenville SC Bike To Work Day Thanks for the link Fritz. Actually though, Greenville's urban designer, also a cyclist, is doing all the hard work (like actually planning and coordinating the event). I am just helping out where I can.

It is going to be a great event here in Greenville. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for the mention. Political savvy and bicycling Bicycling advocacy how to Good post Fritz. I don’t mention advocacy issues nearly enough on my blog, but that might change (with maybe a new blog). I just recently took over the advocacy chair position on the board of our local cycling club. I can say from past experience that it takes some time, but the reward on time spent on local advocacy efforts is great. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so I encourage all cyclist to get involved with efforts to make their local communities as bike friendly as possible. good points here; I’ll look forward to reading your next post on the subject. James, that's a good point about the squeaky wheel.

Something to avoid, of course, is being the gripe gut that everybody wants to avoid. There are some people who show up at the meetings and complain about everything. For effective change, we need to provide constructive and realistic plans. It's important to have a positive attitude so the planners will look forward to seeing you. Another important point is to squeek in the presence of the right people. I can't say how things work down your way but here in Canada talking to the city planners will only get you so far.

You see, my finace is this berg's traffic planner tasked with "alternative" means. She knows all the benefits that a larger percentage of the commuter population getting on bikes would bring. She knows all the ways that you can encourage such a change. Squeeking at her will only get you resigned argreement and the phone number of your city councilor.

You see, she doesn't control the budget. The city council sets what will get funding so the only way to effect profound change is to convince them to spend the money. Always talk to those who hold the purse strings. Thanks for clarifying that Fritz. You are right, you definitely don't want to be perceived as a pest, but a little genuine enthusiasm goes a long way... and a positive attitude is imperitive Positive attitude only goes as far as others want it to, then what do you do?

The weakest link in the chain defines the outcome. Until "Complete Streets" are the norm or required by law, I'm afraid that being outspokin' (bike/pedestrian advocate) is too often seen as an additional cost with little benefit.

Check it out:
http://www.completestreets.org/media.html

Jack Every time Santa rolls in Tulsa, Oklahoma, EVERYBODY, the ignorant motorist who calls 911, the clueless cop, and the local radio shock jock, all get a quickie jolt of bike advocacy. Maniac road raging motorist assaults female cyclist There are automobile advocacy groups? You mean like AAA?

It's funny because I see the day when the tables are turned (w/in city limits at least) and the automobile people will be forming small advocacy groups to pressure for wider streets and an increase in the number of city-allowed gas stations (just ban gas stations and speeds over 25mph in city limits and watch the bikes flourish.) Well, Fritz, it's YOUR fault. I bet the cyclist chick is a regular reader of C-licious. Why, the NERVE of biking the public streets!

Perhaps those genius LCI's should update their Effective Cycling classes. Actually, Santa encounters NUMEROUS road rage incidents, which mainly go UNREPORTED, because they are diffused before the cops arrive on the scene.

Certainly, Santa would be more than happy to share his secrets on u-tube, if only someone would hold the camera and edit "How to survive road rage cagers, WITHOUT really trying." I'm relieved you've claimed this one, Fritz, 'cause it's usually MY fault! Austin bicycle safety task force kicks off John Burke: More money for cycling advocacy Federal transportation funding and bicycling Yep. I read the press release from TA, and for now, all I can think about is the utter self-centered attitude and near blindness of it. Iraq and Afghanistan are costing us, what, a billion dollars per day? We need more troops. The troops need more up-armored vehicles, and they CLEARLY need better medical care. Yet TA whines about the loss of bicycle facilities funding. There's a fundamental disconnect in their thinking, a lapse of ethics and ordinary human empathy that reveals a grasping, money-grubbing attitude that I find revolting. Boilerplate news article on cycling Underground Railroad Bicycle Route National Bike Summit '07 I *wish* I were going, but have a work-related conference that conflicts. Ditto, Sue. I wish I could be there too. Wow! What an event. The energy, enthusiasm and advocacy was inspirational. I'll have more comments on The FredCast and The Spokesmen this week. St. Louis County: "Bikes not an option for commute" Hey, you legal eagles out there, throw us a bone on how to stop this kind of crap in the courts. Obviously, they have NO intentions of listening to us. I think Mr. Earls might be misinformed. Sure ten speeds are a little dated, but they still work just fine. Personally, I alternate commuting on an 18 speed and a 1 speed, but I don't see why I couldn't get around on a bike with exactly 10 gears.

Wait, am I missing the point again :) "Hello, This is Emily Litella. I'm not home right now, but I will call you back as soon as possible. Just leave your name, number and what time you called after you hear the sound of the Jeep." Nevermind paul tay - don't give up yet! They may listen. In Atlanta we've been fighting road construction that would take out a bike lane. After tons of letters to the mayor and demonstration bike rides they stopped construction today:

http://www.atlantabike.org/Wesley_Road.html

Try it, it might work. Write tons of letters. Get the local residents involved. Ride the streets involved: show them what it'll be like to share these roads with lots of bikes during rush hour. The link doesn't indicate stopping construction... are they behind on updates?

Time for the monkeywrench gang? bradley, can you arrange for some of your more outspokin' cyclists to visit StL for awhile? We need more critical mass as our letters get the typical canned response and perhaps a few thousand riders would help. Don't worry, we don't have any roads here named Peachtree! Dan's guide to cycling advocacy SAFE bicycle advocacy in Florida... NOT 50 clams Jim Smith is a pseudonym for a reporter from the Sun-Sentinel, the newspaper behind the scam.

Florida has a very strong, close-knit bicycle advocacy community. NOBODY knows the dude or SAFE. Definately a red herring. But, very clever SCAM with the SAFE title. Kinda like the neo-con group American Enterprise Institute or the ultra- left wing People For the American Way. What a bunch of CROCK.

With a name like SAFE, you KNOW it's a SCAM.