National Bike Bill

Recognizing the importance of bicycling in transportation and recreation Take Action!

Contact Your Senator on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee

House Congressional Resolution 305 (H.CON.RES. 305), dubbed the National Bike Bill sponsored by Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), which passed the House of Representatives on May 21, 2008, is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, this Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 10am. Please take a moment to contact your Senator on the Committee to thank them in advance for their support of this resolution which recognizes the importance of bicycling in transportation and recreation.

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Felt Curbside fixed gear bicycle.

chris has left a new comment on your post "Felt Curbside fixed gear bicycle":

It's so funny how so many people feel threatened by some kids wearing thrift store clothes while riding a bike with one speed. The very audacity of a new generation of kids getting excited about riding must be your worst nightmare. I think what most pisses off bike store employees is that these kids are just buying bikes; no spandex, no power bars and no special shoes. Ride your bike the way you want to and don't worry about if other peoples drive train is as expensive as yours.



Posted by chris to Cyclelicious at 7/29/2008 02:34:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Portland traffic count: 18% of vehicles are bikes.

Fritz has left a new comment on your post "Portland traffic count: 18% of vehicles are bikes":

I guess my headline's a little misleading. I think your conjecture that the bridge is a popular bicycling route is correct. The number of cyclists on I-5, for example, will be nil, while the highways carry a significant percentage of the car commuters in Portland.



Posted by Fritz to Cyclelicious at 7/29/2008 12:52:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Full lockers at work.

Jennifer has left a new comment on your post "Full lockers at work":

Yes, but instead of celebrating the old guard are mostly complaining about how reckless, dangerous, and rude all the newbies are. It's like they can't quite cope with the loss of their exclusive "bike commuter" status.

And sometimes I wonder if that's how I feel, too. But why? Is this not what we wanted?



Posted by Jennifer to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 05:37:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Full lockers at work.

2tiretracks has left a new comment on your post "Full lockers at work":

Yup! I've been commuting by bike for almost a year now and there's been an absolute rise in bike commuters on my 6 mile route. It's terribly exciting to see. 2 (and sometimes 3, out of 18) of my co-workers commute by bike now, too.



Posted by 2tiretracks to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 05:11:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Sports headlines.

Fritz has left a new comment on your post "Sports headlines":

Thanks for that story, Ed. "Bicycle Stylist"?

The proposal to turn turn existing parking meters into art reminds me of a friend who's the director of Art In Public Places for a city in Colorado. Many of the bike racks in her city are installed as public sculpture and funded by her office as functional art.



Posted by Fritz to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 03:58:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Sports headlines.

---- Ed ---- has left a new comment on your post "Sports headlines":

In San Francisco, a proposal to replace standard parking meters with new electronic multi-space meters would reduce the amount of available bike parking. See the article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/17/BA8A11QAAG.DTL



Posted by ---- Ed ---- to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 03:35:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Full lockers at work.

Chris has left a new comment on your post "Full lockers at work":

Make up some "I biked to work today" stickers like they do for voting. Then when someone comes up to brag, give them a sticker!

I've been seeing the same thing at my office as well. A fellow commuter said he had even read my blog about riding. I was a bit surprise since I don't really think anyone is listening.



Posted by Chris to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 03:08:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Full lockers at work.

spokencontract has left a new comment on your post "Full lockers at work":

There has been more and more bike lane traffic over the past few months. I am still the sole bike commuter in my small office of 12, but there have been more bikes out there to and from. In the past I had clear roads the whole way and would finish my ride having only passed 3 or 4 other cyclists, but this summer I've noticed a huge increase in the number of bikes on the road through Boston and Cambridge.



Posted by spokencontract to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 02:24:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Full lockers at work.

BurnFromWithin has left a new comment on your post "Full lockers at work":

I've noticed a couple more people bike commuting. I even ran into a guy on the local trail the other day that was confused by a detour that is up right now. He said it was his first time riding to work, so I showed him how to navigate around the detour.

I've been trying to get into it a little bit more often myself, but it takes a little more effort than just getting in a car so I've had mixed results. The difference is that personally I do it because I enjoy cycling (and do enjoy the days I make it to work via the bike). I'm not doing it for high gas prices or anything like that. I have a fuel-efficient car and probably save myself less than $3 in gas each day I ride - and when you consider the cost in food (extra calories burned), bicycle maintenance (yearly tune-ups, new parts, etc).. its probably a wash for me.



Posted by BurnFromWithin to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 12:33:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Happy 100th Birthday Model T.

Fritz has left a new comment on your post "Happy 100th Birthday Model T":

Jim Hair, I like your thinking. Smaller cars still give us convenience but without the soul-sucking destruction that the modern automobile has delivered.



Posted by Fritz to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 11:42:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Full lockers at work.

JPTwins has left a new comment on your post "Full lockers at work":

I've noticed a few more bikes around, but we have some tiny little locker/handicapped bathrooms, and for the first time ever, i'm noticing that they are full. As in, I have to wait until the people are done showering to even get in. I also unfortunately hang my sweaty clothes off my bike in my cube. tacky, but people don't really come to my cube (and no, it's not causal!)



Posted by JPTwins to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 11:08:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Zippered bike sorts.

Fritz has left a new comment on your post "Zippered bike sorts":

For a guy, anyway, zippered shorts don't seem that great of an idea.



Posted by Fritz to Cyclelicious at 7/28/2008 10:57:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Zippered bike sorts.

bikesgonewild has left a new comment on your post "Zippered bike sorts":

...the only caveat w/ those shorts is that they're designed to be used pretty much exclusively w/ selle smp saddles which have a complete channel down the middle...(google the web-site if you're unfamiliar w/ them)...

...i wouldn't know what to suggest for women, but for guys i'd recommend 'verge' bibs which are cut lower in the front, nicely facilitating the 'nature break'...

...just sayin'...



Posted by bikesgonewild to Cyclelicious at 7/27/2008 07:02:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Mini velo bicycles now in USA.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Mini velo bicycles now in USA":

For a minute; I thought you meant Mini Velo (as in Mini-Velomobiles) Oh well one can dream...



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/27/2008 06:08:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Breanna Slaughter-Eck.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Breanna Slaughter-Eck":

The poor victim was not legally allowed on the road as she had no drivers license, she had never taken a driving test. We do not even know if she knew how to drive.

A helmet would not have saved Breanna.

What would have saved Breanna was if this woman had obeyed the law and either gotten a license or NOT DRIVEN. and failing all of that, she could have at least checked the crosswalk near a school for children at school let out time.

I believe that it is one of the things they cover on the driving test this woman never took.

This poor victim is still on the road, and still has yet to pass a test proving she is capable of driving.

I guess I am just too narrow minded to understand why.



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/27/2008 12:26:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on If it's good enough for Bike Snob....

bikesgonewild has left a new comment on your post "If it's good enough for Bike Snob...":

...ok, smarty pants...because of your infusion of greek mythology & the use of a "sisyphonian" aspect as an analogy to answer that question, which was quite brilliant, btw, & along w/ your very accepting & laissez 'fare' (snerk) attitude towards all bikes in general, it's my wish that you'll eventually be consigned to riding constantly better & more interesting bicycles for an eternity...



Posted by bikesgonewild to Cyclelicious at 7/25/2008 06:50:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on The winner is Bikesgonewild.

bikesgonewild has left a new comment on your post "The winner is Bikesgonewild":

...hey, the proud winner here...

...but let's rephrase that info to "planning to restore" to be more accurate...

...but the bike is quite beautiful & only needs a few 'original era' parts to 're-authenticate' it & bring it back to it's former glory...it was originally ridden quite fearlessly by a woman friend back in it's heyday...

...a definite '70's, italian, road racing classic...



Posted by bikesgonewild to Cyclelicious at 7/25/2008 04:19:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on David Cameron's bike stolen.

Roger has left a new comment on your post "David Cameron's bike stolen":

I wonder if David Cameron will find a way to blame Gordon Brown's Labour Party for the theft during next week's Questions to the Prime Minister? The Labour Party is to blame for all of Great Britain's problems, don't you know?



Posted by Roger to Cyclelicious at 7/24/2008 04:31:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on David Cameron's bike stolen.

Fritz has left a new comment on your post "David Cameron's bike stolen":

I guess the USA equivalent would be if House minority leader John Boehner had his bike stolen. Except for Boehner, who is one of the top recipients of private air travel, you'd have to steal his plane.



Posted by Fritz to Cyclelicious at 7/24/2008 02:29:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on David Cameron's bike stolen.

SiouxGeonz has left a new comment on your post "David Cameron's bike stolen":

Hey, *I* would have been tempted - some famous dude leaves his bike stealable? I"d find a way to auction it :)



Posted by SiouxGeonz to Cyclelicious at 7/24/2008 02:19:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on David Cameron's bike stolen.

FixedXorBroken has left a new comment on your post "David Cameron's bike stolen":

Locking to a bollard is pretty foolish. Anyone who could life the bike waist high could lift it off.



Posted by FixedXorBroken to Cyclelicious at 7/24/2008 01:16:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil....

Fritz has left a new comment on your post "Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil...":

Thanks for the comments on this all -- I'm not too familiar with St. Louis area trails but Jack pointed this bit of news out to me.

Regarding InBev, they recently purchased Anheuser-Busch



Posted by Fritz to Cyclelicious at 7/24/2008 12:09:00 PM

Bikes Belong August '08 Newsletter

Bikes Belong Retailer Survey: Are High Gas Prices Fueling Sales? Bikes Belong is conducting a survey to see how high gas prices are affecting sales of bicycles, accessories, and service work. With gas prices skyrocketing to more than $4 per gallon, many Americans are turning to bicycling for transportation. We're gathering information about whether more people are using bicycles for short trips. If you are a bike store owner or manager, please take three minutes to complete our online survey. The results will help us paint a clearer picture of bicycling as a simple, affordable transportation solution. The answers you provide will help us make our case for government support for bicycling. Go to bikesbelong.org/survey. Bikes Belong Board Members Meet with Senator Barack Obama On June 12, members of the Bikes Belong board of directors participated in a private meeting with Democratic presidential nominee-to-be Barack Obama in Chicago. Bikes Belong executive director Tim Blumenthal spoke for the bicycle industry and stressed the importance of boosting federal funding for bicycling projects and programs, including Safe Routes to School. Senator Obama said if elected president, he will support increased funding for bicycling. After the meeting, Obama spoke for nearly 30 minutes to a gathering of 160 bicycle industry leaders and other guests. This landmark event, hosted by F.K. Day of SRAM, was the first time the bike industry has orchestrated a bicycling-focused strategy discussion/fundraiser with a presidential candidate. Bikes Belong is working to arrange a similar meeting with Republican nominee John McCain. Learn more. Conventions Bike Project On Track When delegates, party officials, and the national media convene at the Democratic and Republican national conventions later this year, they'll be greeted by a revolutionary new offering: free loaner bikes to use during the events. Bikes Belong, in partnership with leading health insurance provider Humana, will bring 1,000 bicycles to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 25-28 and another 1,000 bicycles to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 1-4. This effort is intended to showcase bicycling as a healthy, convenient transportation option for short trips. Many Bikes Belong members are contributing to this high-profile project. Fuji, Giant, Raleigh, Schwinn, Specialized, and Trek are providing bikes. Erik's Bike Shop, Penn Cycle, and Park Tool in Minnesota and Bicycle Village in Colorado are helping assemble them. Bell Sports and Trek will supply helmets. OnGuard is donating locks. Pedros and SRAM will provide onsite technical support. Learn more. Bicycling Prominent on Capitol Hill The bicycling movement is gaining credibility and influence with the U.S. Congress. Bicycling is increasingly seen as a solution to climate change, rising gas prices, the obesity crisis, and road congestion. Bikes Belong continues to represent the U.S. bicycle industry in Washington, D.C., and promote bicycle-friendly legislation. This year's legislative highlights include: A pro-bike resolution passed the House of Representatives A Complete Streets bill was introduced in the House and Senate A new Republican Senate bike caucus chair was named (Olympia Snowe of Maine) The Bicycle Commuters Benefits Act was included in a clean energy tax package Bicycling was cited in the Green Public Schools Act Draft climate change legislation supported bike facility funding Learn more. Bikes Belong and Rails-to-Trails: Quantifying the Federal Investment in Bicycling Bikes Belong—with industry support and in partnership with many other bicycling advocacy groups—invested a lot of time and money to secure $4.5 billion in federal funding for bicycling facilities and programs in the 2005 federal transportation law. Now we're gearing up to do it again as the next transportation bill is developed for Congressional review next year. To justify increased federal funding for bicycling, we must demonstrate that the prior federal investments have been well spent. We're teaming with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy on a research project to quantify the positive results of federal bike spending on communities and health. Entitled "Active Transportation for America," this large-scale project will be crucial as we work to prioritize bicycling in the reauthorization effort. Look for a project report in early 2009. U.S. Mayors Support Bicycling with a Resolution At its annual meeting June 20-24, 2008, the U.S. Conference of Mayors voted to adopt a resolution to ensure that bicycling is integrated into national transportation, climate, energy, and health policy initiatives. Bikes Belong's Tim Blumenthal and the League of American Bicyclists' Andy Clarke attended the conference to promote the benefits of bicycling to this influential group. This resolution is the first of its kind among mayors and signifies increased support for bicycling throughout the country. Read the resolution. Bikes Belong Connects with Governors Governors shape transportation and recreation priorities in their states. Many go on to serve in the U.S. Senate; some even become presidents. They are an ideal audience for our pro-bicycling messages. With this in mind, Bikes Belong attended the Western Governors' Association summer meeting June 29-July 1 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We teamed with local advocacy group, Friends of Pathways, to lead bike rides at the event and showcase bicycling to governors from throughout the western U.S. Climate change policy and the future of energy resources topped the conference agenda, providing an ideal framework to promote bicycling as a solution to these challenges. Several governors expressed interest in doing more for bicycling in their states. Bicycle Friendly Program Expands to States and Businesses In partnership with the League of American Bicyclists, Bikes Belong recently helped launch Bicycle Friendly State and Bicycle Friendly Business programs to complement the Bicycle Friendly Community initiative. The Bicycle Friendly State program will initially rank all 50 states, using more than 50 criteria ranging from state laws to advocacy and education programs. The first listing will be published in September. More than a dozen states have already completed the data collection. Learn more at bicyclefriendlystate.org. The new Bicycle Friendly Business program launched in June. It offers resources and technical assistance to help businesses create the culture and facilities to promote bicycling. The program appeals to businesses' corporate social responsibility and greening efforts. Learn more at bicyclefriendlybusiness.org. Bikes Belong Awards Five REI/Bicycle Friendly Community Grants In June, Bikes Belong selected five designated and aspiring Bicycle Friendly Communities to receive funds to help them make bicycling more safe, convenient, and appealing places to ride. These grants, designed to pinpoint specific needs outlined by each community in their Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) application, help pay for bike plans, technical assistance, pilot projects, and innovative cycling initiatives. Awards went to: Colorado Springs, Colorado Flint, Michigan Madison, Wisconsin New Haven, Connecticut New Orleans, Louisiana This grant program is administered by the Bikes Belong Foundation in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists. It is made possible by the generous support of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI). Learn more. Bicycling Booklet Updated for 2008 Bikes Belong has updated and reprinted our booklet, Bicycling: Moving America Forward. This document is an invaluable tool that summarizes the many benefits of bicycling. The 2008 version includes four more pages, bringing the total to 20. The new booklet includes more focus on today's hot topics: bicycling for transportation, safe routes to school, complete streets, and bike-sharing programs. In addition, all the statistics and charts have been updated. View the booklet. Kate Scheider Joins Bikes Belong as Research & Statistics Coordinator Bikes Belong recently hired Kate Scheider as our first full-time research and statistics coordinator—a position that is funded by the Bikes Belong Foundation. Kate is helping compile powerful, concise statistics and clear, irrefutable research to make the case for bicycling with government leaders, foundation funders, the media, and the public. Scheider is a 2007 graduate of Williams College in Massachusetts. Since then, she has worked as a research assistant at Harvard University and as a cartographer at Geologic Data Systems in Denver. Her senior thesis in geosciences included a stint at NASA. Scheider is a strong road, mountain, and cross racer and was recently named the Colorado State Criterium Champion. Contact Kate at kate@bikesbelong.org. Upcoming Events Safe Routes to School National Partnership Annual Meeting September 2 - Seattle, Washington Pro Walk/Pro Bike September 2-5 - Seattle, Washington Interbike OutDoor Demo September 22-23 - Boulder City, Nevada Interbike September 24-26 - Las Vegas, Nevada Interbike OutDoor Demo East October 21-22 - Providence, Rhode Island Facts & Stats A 2008 study found that adolescents who participated in bicycling, in-line skating, or skateboarding more than four times a week were 48% less likely to be overweight as adults. The same study found that overweight adolescents who participated in any of these activities three to four days per week were 85% more likely to become normal-weight adults. Source: Menschik, D., et al., Adolescent physical activities as predictors of young adult weight, Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 162, 23-28

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil....

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil...":

The Chain of Rocks bridge is a great attraction for cyclists/pedestrians and serves as an important reminder of the history of Route 66. The region/state believes cycling is for recreation not commuting, helmets are required and Complete Street legislation is unnecessary.

The Riverfront Trail is one of the best bike paths in the region and demonstrates that highways can eventually become more than subsidies for the auto dependent.

Let's hope Trailnet/Great Rivers/local governments can get their act together and quit wasting taxpayers' funds on less worthy projects.
Jack



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/24/2008 04:46:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Stage 17: Visit the l'Alpe d'Huez.

bikesgonewild has left a new comment on your post "Stage 17: Visit the l'Alpe d'Huez":

...sacre bleu, monsieur fritz...none other than 'le blaireau', bernard hinault himself, zipped up my jersey...but you must understand my 'oh so dark' "mod op" secret...

...normally i'm good natured, but when it comes to podiums ???...well, personally i don't covet podium spots whatsoever but that dark, dark streak in me loves to deprive others of the top step...

...therefor, when so many, strive so hard, to achieve so little, i occasionally like to make sure they leave w/ even less...



Posted by bikesgonewild to Cyclelicious at 7/23/2008 07:23:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil....

Shriram Krishnamurthi has left a new comment on your post "Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil...":

That's a pity. I attended a conference in St. Louis a few years ago and took my bike along, so I got to ride this bridge. I was pretty excited to read about it, and the thing itself didn't disappoint at all; I got a sense of the immense span of the river, which I simply didn't appreciate even from my riverside hotel room. Hopefully these are just idle threats.

Though, the trail up to that point on the STL side was pretty ugly; if not a lot of people feel like riding it (no matter what it's named), I can see why.

Besides, why would InBev sponsor trails? As Belgians, wouldn't they only want to pay for flahutes, not prissy trail-riders?



Posted by Shriram Krishnamurthi to Cyclelicious at 7/23/2008 05:49:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Stage 17: Visit the l'Alpe d'Huez.

Fritz has left a new comment on your post "Stage 17: Visit the l'Alpe d'Huez":

You crack me up, BGW!

Did you really PODIUM at BSNYC yesterday??



Posted by Fritz to Cyclelicious at 7/23/2008 03:54:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Electra recalls Amsterdam bicycles.

SiouxGeonz has left a new comment on your post "Electra recalls Amsterdam bicycles":

Good grief... so somebody actually does a commuter bike wiht chain guards and they can't do it right :(

Wonder how they'd mess up turn signals :)



Posted by SiouxGeonz to Cyclelicious at 7/23/2008 06:47:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Breanna Slaughter-Eck.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Breanna Slaughter-Eck":

Why do people are so close minded and only think about the victim? no one looks at the fact that the girl was not wearing a helmet, the fact that she lived far away from school and school provides buses for those who can't get a ride. Also, they provide free month passes for school kids. All you pricks are doing is being racist. If the driver was white you would not say shit. There re people out there raping, killing, stealing and god know what the hell else, then you come here to be racist? What the fuck is up with you guys? Yes it was very tragic that the little girl died but that does not mean that you could come here and be closed minded. Why don't you try to see the accident from the drivers point of view... by the way it was the little girls fault that she was killed.



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/22/2008 10:16:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Stage 17: Visit the l'Alpe d'Huez.

bikesgonewild has left a new comment on your post "Stage 17: Visit the l'Alpe d'Huez":

..."Stage 17 of the Tour de France tomorrow will feature the famous Alpe de Wheeze."...

..."alpe de wheeze" indeed, sir !!!...dammit, fritz, are you making fun of the way i ride a bicycle w/ these inflammatory statements ???...

...& btw, i was racing down la montagne on 'google streetview' & pulled a "john lee augustyne /(barloworld)...over the edge, down the scree slope & my virtual bike went so far it may have landed in your computer...

...non, non, monsieur, j'ai a-ok...nothing more than a scrap on one typing hand...

...j'ai continuez, eh ???...au, revoir...



Posted by bikesgonewild to Cyclelicious at 7/22/2008 05:52:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil....

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil...":

Perhaps the Busch Greenway may be renamed InBev Trail to keep it opened or do people in the Lou prefer TrailLight as much as BudLight?



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/22/2008 01:10:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil....

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Mississippi River bike / pedestrian bridge imperil...":

Here are some pictures of some great bike trails in the St. Louis area. Enjoy! http://stlouis.metromix.com/leisure/roundup/hit-the-dusty-trail/515771/content



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/22/2008 10:12:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan.

Fritz has left a new comment on your post "Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan":

Yeah, I thought the buses were weird. They're tour buses, aren't they?

I wonder if it's an old commercial for an old product? Busy week for me so I won't be able to drop by the Japanese market until this weekend.



Posted by Fritz to Cyclelicious at 7/21/2008 10:40:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan.

Jerry has left a new comment on your post "Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan":

Yeah, but the kewl thing about the commercial was the it was SO '80s! Did you see the cars, and the "transit" bus; of course, the clothes, especially the Fresh Prince rip-off.



Posted by Jerry to Cyclelicious at 7/21/2008 10:33:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on San Jose Bike Party photos.

Warren T has left a new comment on your post "San Jose Bike Party photos":

Oh, look, there's text in this post. Took me a moment.



Posted by Warren T to Cyclelicious at 7/21/2008 12:50:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan.

gazer has left a new comment on your post "Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan":

For getting the Idaho laws passed elsewhere: don't bother with the red light part (except maybe clarifying that road users may proceed safely through an intersection if their vehicle is not sensed).

The stop sign law gets far more support from the cycling community, while the red-light part brings up the cracks within the community.



Posted by gazer to Cyclelicious at 7/21/2008 11:41:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan.

bikesgonewild has left a new comment on your post "Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan":

...you are quite right...the scofflaw article is a very good & truthful read...

...wondering what kind of impact it would have if only 'certain' municipalities allowed for the idaho rule...perhaps one more opportunity for more bicycle/ vehicle negativity...

...& not to be negative about the situation but i have noticed more confrontational situations lately even though i stop at 99% of the stop signs i encounter & make sure i acknowledge any driver w/ a wave & a thank you, when i'm offered the right of way...

...some folks seem to work w/ the simple concept of common courtesy but i'm finding more & more of the old "i'm bigger & surrounded by metal, so get outta my way" attitude...

...perhaps now that there are more published articles regarding the situation, folks are "sensitive" in regard to it, but awareness notwithstanding, whether it's group rides, single commuters or unaware 'newbies' on any kind of bike, riders constantly blowing stop signs does nothing towards creating any common goodwill...

...& i'm not condoning in any way, shape or form, the behavior of the motor vehicular public, in general (read that article) but perhaps the rising cost of gas, in particular & living, in general is adding to the mix...



Posted by bikesgonewild to Cyclelicious at 7/21/2008 11:23:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Happy 100th Birthday Model T.

jimhair has left a new comment on your post "Happy 100th Birthday Model T":

Maybe we can look at this from another perspective, and I have a few questions. I was told that the Model T was built before roads existed, and that Henry Ford intended for farmers to buy them and grow their fuel. Gasoline manufacturers dominated the fuel supply early with a cheap and easily accessible product, and became the only fuel source. We can all see how we have changed the landscape with the construction of roads.
I will ask as many attendees as I can about the alternatives to power these cars with something other than gas or food based ethanol. Maybe 150 people a day will see an alternative to the way we have constructed roads as well, and with smaller 'greener' cars we might reclaim landscape from below the asphalt and communicate to the attendees some possible futures that include smaller cars that co-exist with bikes and hikers and the natural landscape.
This is an opportunity to raise the issue nationally through the media that attends, as well as all the people who come from all over the world.



Posted by jimhair to Cyclelicious at 7/21/2008 04:48:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Trek sues LeMond.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Trek sues LeMond":

Allez Allez LeMond!!!

You don't need TREK! Go on your own. I don't think TREK is putting maximum effort in the LeMond product line. How would they? They want to promote their TREK line.



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/21/2008 12:22:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan":

Urban Velo and Streetsblog are like totally behind the times. Cyclelicious is where it's at!



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/20/2008 07:02:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan.

James Slemboski has left a new comment on your post "Crazy urban cyclists sell soft drinks in Japan":

I have never understood Japanese commercials (and their accompanying music).



Posted by James Slemboski to Cyclelicious at 7/20/2008 04:50:00 PM

Support SMART- TAM Meeting, July 24th at 7PM

Please Attend the TAM Board Meeting to Ask for an Endorsement of the SMART Train and Pathway Thursday, July 24th, 7:00 PM Thursday, July 24th at 7:00 p.m. Marin County Civic Center, Room 330 3501 Civic Center Drive  San Rafael On Thursday, July 24th, at 7:00 p.m. the Transportation Authority of Marin will hold a vote on whether or not to endorse the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) ballot initiative, which will be on the November 4th ballot.  SMART will provide passenger train service and a parallel bicycle/pedestrian pathway from Larkspur Landing to Cloverdale, for 70 miles. This is a very important meeting for SMART and your support is critical. Please contact the TAM representative from your city or town and your county supervisor to express your support for SMART and encourage them to vote to endorse SMART at this important meeting (below is a list of TAM Board members with email contact information). Also, please come to this meeting and please speak during the public comment period and urge a vote to endorse SMART. At the bottom of this email, please find some brief talking points regarding SMART. For more detailed  information about SMART please see the SMART District website at: http://www.sonomamarintrain.org For the SMART White Papers, please see: : http://www.sonomamarintrain.org/index.php/docs/whitepapers/ For the SMART campaign website, please visit: http://www.smarttrain2008.org If you would like to read the TAM report on SMART, click this TAM Working Group Report link. If you can attend this meeting, please RSVP to andy@marinbike.org or call 415-457-0802.   Even if you cannot attend, please send an email to both your councilmember and your County Supervisor (see email list below). City and Town TAM Representatives Belvedere Thomas Cromwell tcromwell@cityofbelvedere.org Please encourage Councilmember Cromwell to vote to endorse SMART on July 24th. Corte Madera Alexandra Cock alexandrahc@comcast.net Please encourage Councilmember Cock to vote to endorse SMART on July 24th. Fairfax Mayor Mary Ann Maggiore Maggiore@townoffairfax.org Mayor Maggiore has endorsed SMART and is a strong supporter.  Please thank her and encourage an endorsement vote for SMART on July 24th San Rafael Mayor Albert Boro Dana.Melnichek@ci.san-rafael.ca.us Mayor Boro is a strong supporter of SMART. Please thank him and encourage an endorsement vote for SMART on July 24th. Larkspur Joan Lundstrom jlundstrom@larkspurcityhall.org Councilmember Joan Lundstrom is opposed to SMART.  Please urge her to support the TAM endorsement vote. Mill Valley Stephanie Moulton-Peters smoultonpeters@aol.com Councilmember Stephanie Moulton-Peters has endorsed SMART. Please thank her and encourage an endorsement vote for SMART on July 24th Novato Carole Dillon-Knutson Carole4Novato@aol.com Councilmember Carole Dillon-Knutson has been instructed by her council to abstain on this vote.   Please email her anyway to indicate the merits of the SMART project and request that she support SMART. San Anselmo Peter Breen Pbreen5@comcast.net Councilmember Peter Breen is a strong supporter of SMART. Please thank him and encourage an endorsement vote for SMART on July 24th. Sausalito Paul Albritton pa@ci.sausalito.ca.us Please encourage Councilmember Paul Albritton to vote to endorse SMART on July 24th. Tiburon Alice Fredericks Tiburon askalicenow@usa.net Please encourage Councilmember Alice Fredericks to vote to endorse SMART on July 24th. Ross Michael Skall http://www.townofross.org/contact-us/email/email-michael/ Please encourage Councilmember Michael Skall to vote to endorse SMART on July 24th. Board of Supervisors District 1- Supervisor Susan Adams SAdams@co.marin.ca.us Most of San Rafael Supervisor Adams was opposed to SMART in 2006.  She has been concerned about costs.  The TAM Working Group Report indicates that project is doable under the current funding plan.  Please ask Supervisor Adams to support SMART. District 2- Hal Brown HBrown@co.marin.ca.us Fairfax, San Anselmo, Ross, Larkspur, San Rafael, Gerstle Park Supervisor Brown opposed SMART in 2006 despite strong support from his district.  He is concerned about costs of the project and traffic.  Urge him to support SMART. District 3-Charles McGlashan CMcglashan@co.marin.ca.us Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon and Belvedere Supervisor Charles McGlashan strongly supports SMART; please thank him for his great support of SMART. District 4- Steve Kinsey SKinsey@co.marin.ca.us Corte Madera, San Rafael Canal Area, West Marin Supervisor Kinsey strongly supports SMART; thank him for his strong support. District 5- Judy Arnold JArnold@co.marin.ca.us Novato Supervisor Arnold has expressed some interest in SMART but has not come out fully in support.  Please urge her to support SMART.   SMART TALKING POINTS HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT SMART will remove 5,300 car trips per day, reducing gasoline use by over one million gallons per year.  SMART will reduce car trips, cutting carbon emission by 31 million pounds per year SMART trains will run on environmentally friendly, efficient on-board engines and odorless clean fuel. SMART train riders will be three to five times more energy efficient than drivers of single-occupant vehicles. SMART cuts carbon dioxide emissions an estimated 120,000 pounds per day. PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES The Marin-Sonoma Highway 101 corridor is the 4th most congested corridor in the Bay Area. SMART will remove more than 1.4 million car trips from Highway 101 each year.  SMART will provide two transportation alternatives – the TRAIN, providing a quiet, convenient transportation option that cuts peak commute times; and the bicycle / pedestrian PATHWAY, with up to 7,000-10,000 users per day. SMART's two-to-three-car trains fit within a city block so traffic still moves when trains make station stops. Crossing gates and city traffic signals will also be synchronized to help keep traffic moving. AN ECONOMICAL SOLUTION   With gas prices at an all time high and continuing to rise, SMART provides a more economical transportation alternative. SMART already owns the rail right-of-way; using it this way is fiscally responsible and cost-effective. SMART is an investment in our future transportation infrastructure. The economy and environment will suffer if we continue to depend only on roads and driving.

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Happy 100th Birthday Model T.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Happy 100th Birthday Model T":

I suppose there is no limiting the power of convenience, especially when combined with speed. 100 years ago, the T had a whopping 20 hp power plant and took over the roads paved by the influence of cyclists. The cars of today that dominate our roads are powered by over 250 hp. Some things never change as the T attempts to dominate cycling routes once again.
Jack



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/19/2008 12:35:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Scofflaw cyclists!.

SiouxGeonz has left a new comment on your post "Scofflaw cyclists!":

(and yes, I asked 'em to design me some turn signals ;) )



Posted by SiouxGeonz to Cyclelicious at 7/18/2008 08:37:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Scofflaw cyclists!.

SiouxGeonz has left a new comment on your post "Scofflaw cyclists!":

Sioux's outta town right now, but doesn't know how to take pictures that don't activate the flash, so a person can't really see what they look like in the dark.
flashflight is the name of the company that sells 'em. At seven bucks a pop I"m sure there's some slave labor involved...



Posted by SiouxGeonz to Cyclelicious at 7/18/2008 08:36:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Happy 100th Birthday Model T.

Jennifer has left a new comment on your post "Happy 100th Birthday Model T":

You know, that actually looks pretty fun. Like the old-timey cars at Six Flags, except for real. But do they have to drive on the trail? There weren't any backcountry roads available?

Oh, if only cars had stayed slow, bumpy, not fully enclosed, and rather challenging to drive. (They aren't kidding when they say "test your driving skills," are they.) Those things make even my mom's old Wrangler with the busted transmission look smooth and comfortable.



Posted by Jennifer to Cyclelicious at 7/18/2008 05:02:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Mark Cavendish woo hoo!.

Jared has left a new comment on your post "Mark Cavendish woo hoo!":

I tried to watch the tour this year...but I just couldn't do it. I used to enjoy watching it before all the doping, now it seems like anytime you hear about a guy winning a stage he's immediately suspected of doping. The TdF still has a pretty big black eye as far as I'm concerned. It's true that a few bad apples ruin the whole bunch.

Its sad that as a cyclists I don't even enjoy watching the big events...what does that say for everyone else that is less involved in the sport than I am?



Posted by Jared to Cyclelicious at 7/18/2008 02:42:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Mark Cavendish woo hoo!.

MarvinK has left a new comment on your post "Mark Cavendish woo hoo!":

Call me a cynic, but sometimes I wonder if those team-induced drug tests aren't there to ensure their doping levels 'just aren't high enough to get caught'. I mean, what's better than putting together a system to check for doping--hype it up as ensuring your riders are clean, and still utilize it to make sure your riders dont get kicked out (and you have lots of data to fight if they threaten)... yet still use it to make sure anything they are doing is outside detection. I'd like to think that isn't what those teams are doing.. but you never know.

It certainly wouldn't be hard to twist it around and misuse an internal system like that.



Posted by MarvinK to Cyclelicious at 7/18/2008 01:03:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Mark Cavendish woo hoo!.

bikesgonewild has left a new comment on your post "Mark Cavendish woo hoo!":

...i'll echo that "mark cavendish woo hoo!" wow !!!...just awesome to see this kid come through the way he is...

...every interview, he's looking a little more tired from the daily schlog around france, but his team keeps bringing him up in good position & w/ his great tactical savvy, he delivers the goods...amazing display...

...& fritz...great article & info to dispel the naysayers...despite the ugly headlines at times, i believe cycling is leading the way to cleaner sports...



Posted by bikesgonewild to Cyclelicious at 7/18/2008 12:40:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on TdF: Another one bites the dust.

Fritz has left a new comment on your post "TdF: Another one bites the dust":

@Jack: For some reason my brain flashed back to that 80s teen pop star.

@Joel: Good point.



Posted by Fritz to Cyclelicious at 7/18/2008 09:29:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Win a free bike from Trek.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Win a free bike from Trek":

Americans love promotions and hopefully their health in the years to come. Thanks to TREK for helping the USA become a better place to live.
Jack



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/18/2008 06:36:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Tour de France 2008 Stage 12 *SPOILERS*.

bikesgonewild has left a new comment on your post "Tour de France 2008 Stage 12 *SPOILERS*":

...i'm stunned...

...& yet i feel like an idiot for being stunned...



Posted by bikesgonewild to Cyclelicious at 7/17/2008 01:34:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Fat tire bikes.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Fat tire bikes":

Has anyone heard anything about the launch of The Ski Channel? The last I heard it was suppose to launch in the Fall.



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/17/2008 11:09:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on TdF: Another one bites the dust.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "TdF: Another one bites the dust":

The regulators are really taking their responsibility seriously... they know that this valuable product needs protecting.

In European courts, Tiffany wins a lawsuit against eBay but in the USA, eBay wins. The value of property, particularly brand names, are highly valued and protected there... and now the TdF too.
Jack



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/17/2008 10:33:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Win this leather toe clip sewing kit.

-p has left a new comment on your post "Win this leather toe clip sewing kit":

The link:
http://nippleworks.blogspot.com/2008/07/leather-toe-clip-sewing-kit-bicycle.html

And something interesting about myself:
When I was 12 years old I rode my mountain bike around Lake Tahoe, doing 55 miles in one stretch. While I've ridden for pleasure and commuting lots since then, I didn't do another ride of at least 55 miles until I was 25.
Paul (at) Nippleworks dot com
from Los Gatos, CA



Posted by -p to Cyclelicious at 7/16/2008 06:10:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Win this leather toe clip sewing kit.

Jim has left a new comment on your post "Win this leather toe clip sewing kit":

No blog so here is my comment.

I used to ride my bike everywhere when I was < 18. Hundreds of miles a summer because there was nothing else to do. Then I stopped riding for almost 20 years. I started up again because the Podiatrist said I shouldn't run anymore. Now I commute a few times a week by bike.



Posted by Jim to Cyclelicious at 7/16/2008 01:16:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Northbound and Southbound Caltrain delayed today.

gazer has left a new comment on your post "Northbound and Southbound Caltrain delayed today":

Yup, ravi is excellent.

I thought I was set up to test out the SMS update, but it didn't work.

Will keep trying, though I'll only be good on days like today, when things get really snarled.

San Mateo is a bit too sedate otherwise...

Too bad I couldn't wait around to see the 324/226 monster train! I've seen them do 10 car trains for MLK day, and that's a sight to behold.



Posted by gazer to Cyclelicious at 7/16/2008 12:49:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Northbound and Southbound Caltrain delayed today.

gazer has left a new comment on your post "Northbound and Southbound Caltrain delayed today":

South bound horrendous today - 226 never showed in SM, and I biked all the way in, barely making my 10am appt. (And in my sweaty bike clothes at that!)

I'm still trying to figure out how to send updates to twitter/caltrain and twitter/bikecar from my cell phone. (SMS only for me!!)

I might have had better info for murph if I could have actually send my update around 8:55am as I tried!



Posted by gazer to Cyclelicious at 7/16/2008 12:20:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Win this leather toe clip sewing kit.

Jennifer has left a new comment on your post "Win this leather toe clip sewing kit":

Done, but not sure if it tracked back properly.



Posted by Jennifer to Cyclelicious at 7/16/2008 12:26:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Louisiana town seeks to ban bicycles.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Louisiana town seeks to ban bicycles":

Its too bad to stop these kinds of things in a city.Unlucky,but there can be solutions.they will bhave to hurry.
......................

Sithara

Addiction Recovery Louisiana



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/16/2008 12:05:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on UCI ProTour implodes, Film at 11.

bikesgonewild has left a new comment on your post "UCI ProTour implodes, Film at 11":

...the death of the pro tour is probably warranted but the timing is unfortunate in that it appears the teams are acquiescing to the aso's requests...

...the riders & their teams need to make both the uci & the aso realize that a spirit of co-operation & solidarity is what will make cycling strongest, on the wold stage...

...this is an unfortunate battle that is far from over...



Posted by bikesgonewild to Cyclelicious at 7/16/2008 12:00:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on Louisiana town seeks to ban bicycles.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Louisiana town seeks to ban bicycles":

Sri lankan information portal
Important information about sex, tips, accounting, news, BPO

Sri Lanka



Posted by Anonymous to Cyclelicious at 7/16/2008 12:00:00 AM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on 21.6% inflation.

SiouxGeonz has left a new comment on your post "21.6% inflation":

T Boone, indeed... (shudder.)

When we wanted to go to the moon, our "leadership" wasn't quite as thoroughly corrupt as it is now, I don't believe.
It takes leadership to inspire people to do that odd thing of working together and sacrificing; without it the "each man for himself" stuff takes over and then we have "nothing to fear but fear itself" - which is, alas, something worthy of fear.

Part of me wonders wehther there isn't *some* way to surprise people into discovering that we no, honestly, really DO NOT have to be this dependent!!! (like having us actually survive a few days without gasoline...)



Posted by SiouxGeonz to Cyclelicious at 7/15/2008 09:41:00 PM

[Cyclelicious] New comment on DIY no weld tandem bicycle.

Jerry has left a new comment on your post "DIY no weld tandem bicycle":

Could be the angle but that photo looks Photoshop'd: th lighting on the bike white wall tire is the most glarring sign, also the lighting of the blue (bright and clear) on the front bike and the yellow (dull) on the rear bike don't match. Oh well, perhaps I've been hanging out in the grassy knoll too much but thats what years of working at Adobe will get you.



Posted by Jerry to Cyclelicious at 7/15/2008 04:32:00 PM