| Doin' Doo Dah--join us for the parade. July 4, noon |
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Author:
PamGoesSplat ::
Posted:
Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:05 am
CB members Jazz, Andrew, Carl and Pam got together to talk about the 25th annual DooDah parade. We liked the idea of "alternative fuel" as the theme. Last year's "float" festooned with smashed cyclists was a big hit--let's see how creative we can be with alternative fuel. Here's a few ideas we generated, along with some I've gotten from emails: Decorate your bike themed with your favorite beverage/riding snack. Signage to indicate what kind of angst motivates you to pedal, how many miles/Twinkie you get, etc. Suspend something in front of your bike that keeps you motivated, a la the old mule/carrot trick. Pull something behind you that keeps you riding. If you can't think of anything, that's OK too--just show up and ride! I've been on this group long enough to know that there are plenty of people with a warped sense of humor, so apply that to doing Doo Dah. I have to ask--is there such a thing as a CB banner? If yes, can it be used for DooDah? If not, I volunteer to make a banner out of a sheet in the best DooDah style. You may be asking yourself, how do I get into DooDah? It's easy--just show up on July 4! Line-up @ noon on Park Street (between Buttles/Goodale). Look for some kind of a CB sign, or just look for bicycles. Here's a link to the web page: DooDah The parade route is Buttles to Dennison to Colins to Neil to 2nd to High Street and ends at the DooDah block party. Join Carl, Jazz, Andrew and Pam for some fun and a chance to promote cycling.Who's up for it? ~Pam (8)
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| Columbus Park(ing) Day Anyone? |
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Author:
lifeontwowheels ::
Posted:
Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:11 am
From CU (22)
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| Cycling as a way to reduce global warming |
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Author:
2wheelsgood ::
Posted:
Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:24 am
Everyone here already knew this I'm sure, but it's nice to have more supporting info such as this Press Release and related study, from the Rails to Trails Conservancy. from: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Bicyclists and Pedestrians Can Cool the Climate Four Federal Pilot Communities Report Saving 67,000 Tons of Greenhouse Gas Annually (CSRwire) WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 28, 2008 - For the first time, the U.S. Department of Transportation confirms in an interim report to Congress on the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program, the climate benefits that can be gained by a community that embraces bicycle and pedestrian travel. The non-motorized trips covered in the report are also viewed as critical parts of the nation's surface transportation system. The federal report reveals that bicycling and walking trips in Columbia, Mo., Marin County, Calif., Minneapolis, and Sheboygan County, Wis., range from 7.3 to an unexpected 19.6 percent of total person trips. In comparison to the four communities, commonly cited data place this figure near 9.5 percent nationally. Additionally, Minneapolis' total non-automobile mode share rises from 19.6 to a high of 29.3 percent of total person trips when transit riders are added. Of critical importance is the fact that these levels of non-motorized transportation in the four communities reduce total vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) by an estimated 156.1 million miles over the course of a year. Based on the VMT reductions reported, a saving of more than $23 million in fuel costs alone, and a reduction of 67,000 metric tons of C02 emissions can be projected. Such a VMT reduction is an essential ingredient, along with improved automobiles and fuels, in meeting the nation's goals of fighting global warming and achieving greater energy independence. "This report just goes to show that, for many travelers, the automobile is not always the mode of choice, and that safe and convenient options will lead them to use their bicycles or their feet to get around," says Columbia Mayor Darwin Hindman. Adds Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey, "This program, and its legacy, will change the face of transportation in communities across the country. Its contribution, and that of walking and bicycling, to the nation's fight against global warming will be notable." This interim report is just one element of the federal Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program, established by Congress in 2005. Still in its initial stages, the program is providing each of the four pilot communities with $25 million over four years to implement a comprehensive set of projects and programs to encourage biking and walking. In addition to reduced greenhouse gas emission, anticipated benefits include congestion relief, low-cost travel alternatives and improved public health. In releasing the report, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters writes: "bicycling and walking…are environmentally friendly solutions to meeting growing mobility demands." The report chronicles the early stages of program mobilization and launch, including early and active public involvement, a rigorous process to evaluate the program and "Implementation Challenges." Also described are "Plans for Implementation"-projects that will build out the seamless network of biking and walking facilities and the education and promotion programs that will encourage travelers to shift to walking and biking for their everyday transportation needs. A copy of this interim report can be found here . A final report on the program will be published in 2011. In the meantime, progress can be monitored on the national program website, www.smartmobility.us which also provides links to the individual websites of each pilot community. (0)
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| Innovate or Die! | ||
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Author:
solitaire ::
Posted:
Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:21 am
I just heard of this google/specialized sponsored competition innovate or die (warning:flash page) which just ended yesterday. The entries are here. I wish I heard about this earlier.
My favorites are: a bicycle/water carrier/filter: a tire pump built into a hub: a tandem tricycle capable of carrying 350lbs, perhaps the best cargo carrying bike i've seen: pedal powered snow plow which would be great for clearing bike trails in the winter (includes a "tubular steel frame for collecting rust" *grin*): (2)
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| Video of a faster commute using a bike |
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Author:
neela ::
Posted:
Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:04 pm
I found a nice video on youtube which shows how much shorter the commute is with an electric bike (vs. a car) in Melbourne Australia. (Location assumed based on the comments.) I put it and a photo here. The photo is one of those classic - look how much less space we take on the road if we ride the bus or all took bikes instead of driving - photos. I would actually spread out the bikes a little bit more, but even then they obviously take up a fraction of the road that the car drivers do. ------- disclaimer: I totally realize that bicycling is more sustainable than scootering, but for now I have to be happy with hardly ever driving a car. (4)
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| How to make a bicycle generator. |
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Author:
moses ::
Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:43 pm
You can use off-the-shelf parts from local stores to make a 296 Watt pedal power bicycle generator to power your TV, laptop or cellphone. 
(0)
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| CNN "Fueling America" |
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Author:
Anonymous ::
Posted:
Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:01 pm
Fueling America: An interesting, and fairly comprehensive, look at the oil issue. Although (and I'll admit I just skimmed this quickly), it doesn't seem much attention was given to the bicycle. All these "save oil" mainstream news items seem to focus on better cars, or ethanol, or whatever else can generate more supply while impacting people in the least possible way. Yeah, good luck with that... (2)
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| How the World Works |
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Author:
Anonymous ::
Posted:
Fri May 25, 2007 2:20 pm
Two posts in Salon.com's "How the World Works" blog: {1} A bicycle built for a better world {2} Biker's, they ain't no good (0)
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