International News | Consider Biking

Dooring Illegal in Chicago

Author: meredith :: Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:07 am

Quote:

When a motorist flings open a door in front of a cyclist passing in the bike lane, Chicago bikers call it a "dooring" and often just charge it to the cost of riding in a big city.

As of Wednesday, the City Council calls it illegal and will charge motorists $150 to $500 for each violation.

The legislation joined a pack of other bike-friendly laws passed by the council Wednesday. The laws impose fines on motorists who turn in front of or pass too close to cyclists, or who park in a bike lane.

"We are committed to making Chicago the most bicycle-friendly city in the country, and safety is a very critical part of the plan," Mayor Daley said after the measure passed.

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Biker road rage? WTF
Author: razzmatazz :: Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:22 pm Another incident... http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/07/another_driver_another_cyclist.html (11) Replies

Tour de Donut

Author: meredith :: Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:08 pm

Quote:

First-time participant Blake Stevens of Edwardsville said the ride was fun. "I got to see some guy puke after eating 25 doughnuts, so that was interesting," Stevens said.

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Green Bike Project....
Author: razzmatazz :: Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:19 am Interesting. Something some of you who want to start commuting might want to keep an eye on..? I don't know if this will be a national project, or just something to a specific area. http://bikehugger.com/2008/07/green_bike_project_spotted.htm (0) Replies

25MPH for all residential streets
Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:57 am Not bike-specific, but certainly very bike-friendly, is this ordinance in Springfield, MO to mandate that all residential streets be 25MPH (the bill was passed, states "public streets" which I could see being confusing, and allows higher speed limits if posted). I don't see why we don't have that over here, after all, why should roads in suburban neighborhoods all be safe (25MPH) while people can speed through urban neighborhoods (35MPH)? I'd like to see an effort to have our city adopt a similar (more strongly and clearly worded) policy. hint hint (3) Replies

25MPH for all residential streets

Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:57 am

Not bike-specific, but certainly very bike-friendly, is this ordinance in Springfield, MO to mandate that all residential streets be 25MPH (the bill was passed, states "public streets" which I could see being confusing, and allows higher speed limits if posted). I don't see why we don't have that over here, after all, why should roads in suburban neighborhoods all be safe (25MPH) while people can speed through urban neighborhoods (35MPH)? I'd like to see an effort to have our city adopt a similar (more strongly and clearly worded) policy. *hint hint*

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bike parking reqs in other US cities
Author: neela :: Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:58 am Today I stumbled across some possibly helpful info... especially if you were going to craft some new rules for bike parking. http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/parkcomp1.htm Compiled in 2002, it lists many different jurisdictions in different states with the bike parking requirements. A shorter older list is here: http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/parkcomp.htm And here are some generic but good bike parking recommendations: http://www.cora.com.au/advocacy.html Source for all was MassBike: http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/parking.htm (1) Replies

bike parking reqs in other US cities

Author: neela :: Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:58 am

Today I stumbled across some possibly helpful info... especially if you were going to craft some new rules for bike parking.

http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/parkcomp1.htm
Compiled in 2002, it lists many different jurisdictions in different states with the bike parking requirements.

A shorter older list is here: http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/parkcomp.htm

And here are some generic but good bike parking recommendations:
http://www.cora.com.au/advocacy.html

Source for all was MassBike: http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/parking.htm

(1) Replies

Get Lit program, Portland
Author: meredith :: Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:02 pm I forget who mentioned an interest in passing out free bike lights, but I learned about a program in Portland that did the same thing. They received a grant from their ODOT and then purchased reduced-price lights from Planet Bike. It's the Get Lit program, which could be a good model for someone here. Though I'm not sure if we have a grant program that would fund this. ?? (1) Replies

Get Lit program, Portland

Author: meredith :: Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:02 pm

I forget who mentioned an interest in passing out free bike lights, but I learned about a program in Portland that did the same thing. They received a grant from their ODOT and then purchased reduced-price lights from Planet Bike. It's the Get Lit program, which could be a good model for someone here. Though I'm not sure if we have a grant program that would fund this. ??

(1) Replies

Obama Likes Bikes

Author: meredith :: Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:27 pm

Quote:

CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN) - Barack Obama, in a private 20-minute meeting with members of the Bikes Belong board of directors, told them if he were elected president he would increase funding for cycling and pedestrian projects. And the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee also said he would support Safe Routes to Schools programs.

He also told them he seldom makes promises on what he would do if elected president, but that this was a promise he would keep. Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong, laid out the industry's position on boosting funding for cycling-related projects and for Safe Routes to Schools at the meeting.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) called the opportunity for industry leaders - both suppliers and retailers- -to meet privately with a presidential candidate so early in a campaign for the White House was historic. "It's important for this industry to understand that it is a force," said Blumenauer, shortly after Obama left the event.

Stan Day, SRAM's president, said that Obama "gets it". He pointed out that Obama understands that bicycles can be part of a solution to issues as diverse as health care, obesity, energy and environmental policy. "He does his homework and he can connect the dots," he said.

Of the estimated 160 guests who turned out for the event, Day estimated close to 60 represented the bicycle industry ranging from suppliers, retailers and advocates. Among the guests were Greg LeMond and his wife, Kathryn. Obama, in his remarks to the guests, thanked the LeMonds for attending.

Chris Kegel, owner of Wheel & Sprocket, a six-store chain of stores in the greater Milwaukee area, drove to Chicago early Thursday evening to attend the fundraiser at the home of F.K. Day and his wife, Leah. Day is vice-president of SRAM.

"I think it's very important that we (the bicycle industry) were involved with this type of event," Kegel said. Kegel added that he personally supports Obama and believes that Obama can help end the partisanship that divides the country.

Chicago retailer, JoAnne McSweeny, owner of Trek Bicycles on Michigan Avenue, said she has followed Obama's career for ears and supports Obama's run for president. She, like many others, said Obama's support for cycling is important for the nation's future.

During a conversational 15-minute speech, Obama poked fun at himself telling the crowd that when he was photographed last weekend riding a bike with his children, he looked like Urkel. For those unfamiliar with Steve Urkel, he was the nerdy, bespectacled semi-hero on the long running sitcom "Family Matters." The show was centered on an African-American middle class family living in Chicago.

Obama said he had no idea at the time he was riding with his children that he would soon meet with so many members from the industry. However, he pointed out, he knew photographers would be snapping photos of him on his bike, and that he wore his helmet to set an example for the kids.

Tom Petrie, president of Velimpex, who flew to Chicago Thursday afternoon, said he didn't expect to hear Obama lay out a specific agenda for the bicycle industry. "However, it was refreshing to see somebody trying to unite the country instead of trying to divide it with wedge issues. I find it refreshing and, frankly, necessary," Petrie said.

For a complete report on the event, read the July 1 issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News.

And another one: Obama Rakes in $$ at Chicago Fundraisers

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Bike-friendly bumper stickers

Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 3:03 pm

They're trying this out in Albuquerque, NM.

Quote:

cycling activism 101

Posted by Chelly on March 7, 2008 at 3:30pm

In the wake of yet another cyclist being killed by a motor vehicle - a hit and run no less - with (so far) very minimal consequence for the driver, I wonder if bumper stickers are worth the effort - details about the crash that killed Roy Sekreta are available or I have posted a copy of an article about the crash on my Duke City Fix web page.

The bumper sticker idea was born late last fall, after James Quinn was killed and in memory of Paula Higgins, a cycling team mate of mine for many years who also died in a car vs. bike incident in 2006. My cycling team Olev Rapido felt we had to start somewhere to improve motorist/cyclist interactions. Bumper stickers are what we have right now. They bumper say "Share the Road" and "5 Feet to Pass: It's the Law" and show a car and a bicycle appropriately occupying the road together. They are just waiting for you to pick them up and prominently display them.

You can go to our webstie to see the bumper stickers and a complete list of the bike shops that are helping us spread these cycling friendly messages.

These bumper stickers are free, but if we want to see more than the 2000 bumper sticker we initially had printed on display in the greater metro Albuquerque area of 800,000+ people, we need your help. If you want to make a donation, go to our Bicycling Awareness Initiative website
for more information

Thanks!

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Cyclists in Barcelona protest 450€ fine
Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 9:46 pm In Barcelona a law was recently passed banning cyclists from locking up bikes on city infrastructure such as light poles, trees, etc and those found guilty of doing so are fined 450€ plus a 59€ fee for getting your bike returned. A photo-blog aptly named 59€ documents protests against this law by simply locking up items that are not bikes to said infrastructure and taking photos. The site is in Spanish, but aside from what I explained it's not really necessary to know any, the pictures speak for themselves. (1) Replies

Cyclists in Barcelona protest 450€ fine

Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 9:46 pm

In Barcelona a law was recently passed banning cyclists from locking up bikes on city infrastructure such as light poles, trees, etc and those found guilty of doing so are fined 450€ plus a 59€ fee for getting your bike returned. A photo-blog aptly named 59€ documents protests against this law by simply locking up items that are not bikes to said infrastructure and taking photos. The site is in Spanish, but aside from what I explained it's not really necessary to know any, the pictures speak for themselves.

(1) Replies

World Naked Bike Ride
Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:43 pm Columbus is listed, but who is going to ride it? (6) Replies

Minneapolis Star Tribune: City opens Greenway pit stop
Author: Doktor Troyer :: Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 8:42 am Hello Everyone: This could be a real model for Columbus. -- JT. **************** Cyclists get their own Greenway pit stop By JIM FOTI, Star Tribune Last update: May 17, 2008 - 12:50 AM The 5,500-square-foot center on the Midtown Greenway includes private showers for riders, a big shower stall for washing bikes and 150 secure indoor bicycle parking spots that riders can access around the clock. There's an array of helmets, water bottles and other equipment for sale, plus a full-service repair counter. "We want to make sure that this is a model for what happens all over the city to give amenities to bike riders," said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, one of the local leaders who spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, as bike commuters too hurried to stop whizzed past the podium. The city contributed $434,000 of the more than $800,000 in construction costs, while $283,000 came from federal grant money...... http://www.startribune.com/local/19033144.html (0) Replies

Minneapolis Star Tribune: City opens Greenway pit stop

Author: Doktor Troyer :: Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 8:42 am

Hello Everyone:

This could be a real model for Columbus.

-- JT.

****************
Cyclists get their own Greenway pit stop
By JIM FOTI, Star Tribune
Last update: May 17, 2008 - 12:50 AM

The 5,500-square-foot center on the Midtown Greenway includes private showers for riders, a big shower stall for washing bikes and 150 secure indoor bicycle parking spots that riders can access around the clock. There's an array of helmets, water bottles and other equipment for sale, plus a full-service repair counter.

"We want to make sure that this is a model for what happens all over the city to give amenities to bike riders," said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, one of the local leaders who spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, as bike commuters too hurried to stop whizzed past the podium.

The city contributed $434,000 of the more than $800,000 in construction costs, while $283,000 came from federal grant money......
http://www.startribune.com/local/19033144.html

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Bike lane in Barcelona: a joke.
Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:26 pm Here's a video of someone going straight down a bike lane in Barcelona. You can find the same phenomena in New York, but I thought I'd show this since Europe is thought of as being much more ped and cyclist friendly. It's not perfect and Spanish cities are closer to large American ones than some other European nations in this respect. This is what we don't want.

Bike lane in Barcelona: a joke.

Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:26 pm

Here's a video of someone going straight down a bike lane in Barcelona. You can find the same phenomena in New York, but I thought I'd show this since Europe is thought of as being much more ped and cyclist friendly. It's not perfect and Spanish cities are closer to large American ones than some other European nations in this respect. This is what we don't want.

Pro-biking org People Power in Santa Cruz goes renegade.

Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:33 am

The grass isn't always greener on the other side. In Santa Cruz, another fatality in the same location took place earlier this month while CDOT (known there as Caltrans) has done nothing. They did, however, according to People Power widen this road to 4 lanes (doesn't say what it was before). Here's what they did.

Quote:

Caltrans has refused to put up the signs, stating that they don't think it is safe for cyclists to ride in the lane, even after the Santa Cruz Police, the Traffic Safety Coalition, and others have pointed out that it is not safe to ride to the right of cars and trucks. Caltrans is basically telling us that cyclists have no right to use the street. Mission Street has 3 bike shops and numerous homes and businesses frequented by cyclists. Though cyclists should, and do, avoid Mission whenever possible, riding Mission for short stretches is a often necessary. The only safe way to do so is in the middle of the right lane. Our right to exist is not being recognized by Caltrans.

It is mentioned here that Mission is actually a 25MPH.

Here's the news article

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China begins banning bicycles
Author: austinkocher :: Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:57 pm The World: Banished Bicycles; China's Car Culture Hits Some Potholes ... so glad people are following our example of being car-centered, heavy oil consumers ... "...and I'm proud to be an American... " (0) Replies

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