Oh well

"SPECIAL EDITION" NEW YORK POST from The Yes Men on Vimeo.

2010 Bianchi Pista Classica

This year Bianchi released four different models of is popular Pista Including the new Super Pista and two other classic looking models in addition to the famous chrome Pista. For 2010 Bianchi has released images of the Pista Classica.


Bianchi

Community Bike Day Oct 4th 10am -2pm

We are currently seeking Volunteers for the Community Bicycle Day @ The Seminole Boys and Girls Club On October 4th from 10am - 2pm

The Seminole Boys and Girls Club Currently Serves over 350 Children in this neighborhood alone.

This event will include the following:
Fun Safety Course
Safety Information
Minor Bicycle repairs
Bicycle care
Scraper Bikes
Blender Bike for smoothies and healthy drinks
DJ Bike
Shirt Stenciling
Tallbikes
Goofy Bikes



We need mechanics, artists and anyone willing to help. Please Contact bello.velo@gmail.com for questions or to volunteer

We will also be accepting donations of: Bicycles, Helmets and Lights and you can drop them off Monday - Thursday 2pm- 7 pm or Friday's 2pm-6pm
The Seminole Boys And Girls Club 2201 Clinton Avenue Huntsville Al 35801 (256) 564-7018

This location does not currently have a Bike Rack if anyone wants to see what they can do on this.

Bike Racks at AAMU

From AAMU

We tentatively decided that we will install two to three bike racks; due to the other projects that have been in the pipeline already, the bike racks have not yet been ordered/purchased. I am hoping that by mid November the bike racks would have been installed.

Marshall Peter Chimwedzi

bill 2371

Yesterday Senate Bill 2371 to remove the 10% appropriation for bike infrastructure was voted down. Richard Shelby voted against it. Jeff Sessions voted for it. I've been pretty unimpressed with Sessions in the past year. And he is failing to realize that this is a more efficient method of spending money for transportation than more highways. He supports more highways. ALDOT just recently started getting hassled by the feds because they haven't been spending as much money on bike infrastructure as they are supposed to. So we don't need any amendments to reverse that. Some people are really looking forward to the projects that will get started in the next 3 years due to federal money being spent like it is required to be.

Incident on Governors 9/11

I saw the car skim you on Friday the 11th, I hope you will report it so they can educate her:

Down side of Governors. He was clearly over to right of side white lane marker/ shoulder. Left lane was 100% open & I moved over & repeatedly signalled from her to change lanes. Road was moist (post rain). Jeff was going downhill and seriously is a pro racer, so was going FAST, He was blocking no one & not slowing traffic, nothing. Bright clothes. Doing everything right. She did not budge one inch!

Jeff has skill most of us only wish for. One the moist roads, the gust from being skimmed so close would have resulted ion my being seriously hurt, especially at his speed. Seriously, he has skills most of us don’t and he in used to racing side-by-side, where I might have freaked & skidded.

So I caught up to her & shot her a bird. Then I had to be tricky to get her license as she would not let me behind her. I pretended to be turning.

Then rode back to see if I could find Jeff (Critzer), could not-- I figure he was way down Dug Hill or he was doing hills. Time was tight, so I only looked for him for a few minutes.

Went OOT an few hours later and misplaced info. Friday, hmmm, the 11th.

It was taupe Chevy Malibu, a woman upper middle age also taupey hair, license started with a big S, so I think state. She was headed East over Governors.


Here! Tag:

A & M Calming Ride

Incident on Bankhead 9/11

MDG - Why is everyone in such a huge hurry?!?! Today I was coming down Bankhead at around 34 mph and at the "S" turns (near HLT) where the posted speed limit is 25 mph, two cars passed me! The green Mercedes SUV darted around followed by a beige/...silver 4-Runner with a COEXIST sticker and nearly had a head on collision with an oncoming car! Guess the driver of the 4-Runner doesn't mean for cars and bikes to coexist... ;-(

MDG - 2-3 MINUTES!!! 2-3 minutes is all the time it would have taken to get to a straightaway with a clear line of site where the cars could have safey passed...minutes! Instead, the 4-Runner squealed brakes, fishtailed and could have easily flipped! Plus, it was like 2 o'clock in the afternoon and I was riding on a designated bike road with "Share the ... Read MoreRoad" signs!!! ARGH!

SS - Holy Shit, was that you? That was me in the white pathfinder that almost lost my life to the 4 runner. Talk about fired up, I was cusing mad, and felt bad for the rider (you). SHIT!!! I'm glad you are ok, I could just see that 4runner moving back over and clipping you. I ride that road often, and have many close calls. Someone is going to get... Read More killed. We have a freaking right to ride that road. We need to organize a "sit in" and shut that road down one day and make the city realize that many people, runners included like to train on that road. Maybe some cops patroling it. Glad your OK Missy. And by the way, I wasn't speeding, maybe 28 mph or so, pathfinder doesn't have too much horsepower.

Incident on Bankhead 9/8

The other incident happened on 9/8. I was climbing up Bankhead and was at the beginning of the entrance to the Huntsville Land Trust parking lot when a big truck pulled up next to me, we made eye contact, I gestured that I was going straight, so he sped up and cut me off by turning into the parking lot. (He's one of the Bankhead cruisers, if you know what I mean, because I saw him hanging out at the overlooks later in the week.) Anyway, he forced me off the road. And when I had a talk with him he swears he gave me enough room to which I informed him that he did not - not when I intended to go straight. Literally if I hadn't made a hard right turn and bail, I would have run into the side of the truck. It's like driver's don't even consider physics - speed, velocity, braking distance, etc. I will say that the next time we saw each other, he gave me lots of space! ;-)

Another Incident

On Thursday, September 10, 2009 around 4:00 pm as I was making my usual commute back home after class my life was put in danger by a negligent driver. I was riding close to the right hand side of the road on Technology Drive, no more than 30 feet from where the life of my girlfriend of 2 years was taken only five days short of a year ago, when a green Ford escort passed between myself and a vehicle in the travelling left hand lane traveling at a rate of ten or fifteen miles an hour over the legal speed limit heading towards a red light. This was not a case of a driver's inattentiveness as before, but pure impatience and disregard for human life.

Davis Yarbrough
Registered voter, District 5

No Impact Man

Motorists Assaulting a Cyclist

I was riding my bike in the early morning of August 1, 2009. I was heading southbound on Whitesburg Drive. I had just past the Airport Road intersection. I noticed headlights brighten the pavement from behind me quickly. I knew the truck was too close. I noticed that when the truck went to pass me he stayed in my lane. He yelled some profanities at me, which I could not make out and before I could comprehend the reason for all of this I was struck with a beer bottle. I crashed my bicycle and banged myself up a bit. I got the tag information and reported it the police the next business day.
Derek Johnson.

2010 Blackburn Flea

No you can charge your bike light
with a usb port or with free clean
solar power.

From Blackburn

European Union Backs Cycling

The European Parliament is now upping the stakes to increase funding for cycling in the EU. The European Cyclists Federation would like to see €1 out of every €10 spent on European urban infrastructure funding used for bicycle friendly initiatives. A group of Members of the European Parliament have now hopped on board.

Considering the fact that the European Union is the world's largest economy, you'd think that there was enough money to accommodate more bicycle infrastructure and projects. The European Cyclists Federation, which features in the piece, is Europe's premier cycling organization with 60 member organizations in 37 countries.

They are active in promoting cycling positively throughout Europe. In August 2009 they sent a response to the European Commission regarding the public consultation on the Evaluation and Revision of the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency.

The ECF asked the Commission to take into account the potential of cycling in the reduction of CO2 emissions instead of focusing mainly on car technology. It has been calculated that an increase of cycling modal share from 5 to 15% in Europe could save almost 50 million tonnes of CO2.

It's worth mentioning that while Brussels, featured in the film, is a hellhole for cyling, there are many cities and towns in Belgium that are lightyears ahead.

Cell phone law called tricky

39 states have done it and they say it is tricky here. Why are the words too big. The point is that in the 39 other states there are consequences, here it is encouraged. Thanks Derek for the link.
From al.com it is not too tricky considering it is written at the 4th grade level.

Safer driving effort raises questions over enforcement

Eleven states do virtually nothing to prevent drivers from talking and texting on cell phones while driving.

Alabama is one of them.

Other states' laws range from disallowing only school bus drivers or those under 18 from using cell phones; some ban all drivers from the use of hand-held phones when behind the wheel.

"It's one of the hottest topics out there," said Jonathan Adkins, spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association in Washington, D.C.

Though Alabama has no laws on the books, the subject has seen debate in the Legislature. Last spring, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill to prohibit motorists from sending or reading text messages while driving. The Senate Judiciary Committee prevented the measure from coming up for a vote.

As the Scottsboro community continues to mourn the death of 49-year-old businessman Carlos Serrano, killed July 29 on his bicycle by a driver reaching in her purse for her cell phone, some ask when Alabama will do more to protect citizens.

But even those who say they want nothing more than safe highways don't believe that an all-out cell phone ban is practical.

State Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, said he posed the question on his Facebook Web site last week, asking constituents how they felt about cell phone bans for drivers. Almost 30 people "engaged in lengthy conversation" about the issue.

"There is a general consensus that there's an inability to enforce a law," he said. "A lot of people mentioned that there is a law against speeding, but people speed by me every day. read more here

Meet Veronica Moss, A.U.T.O. Lobbyist

Overturned pedestrian law: sending motorists the wrong message

I know how everyone loves the west coast and the pacific northwest and looks to them as beacons of cyclist freedom. I rarely see these people riding here when it rains though.

"THE state Court of Appeals appropriately rejected a Seattle law that automatically criminalized traffic infractions resulting in serious injuries or death. The court correctly concluded that the 2005 ordinance conflicted with state law decriminalizing most traffic offenses. "

Cyclists, pedestrians not just collateral damage in accidents

Is the life of a bicyclist or pedestrian worth no more than the life of a deer shot out of hunting season?

That appears to be the opinion of The Seattle Times in its Aug. 21 editorial ["Court right to reject Seattle traffic law," Opinion]. Per The Times and the Court of Appeals, drivers who kill or injure cyclists or pedestrians are at most guilty of traffic violations. Let the motorist pay a few hundred dollars to the city treasury and take his SUV back out on the road.

According to The Times, any death or injury is just an unfortunate result of "the increased competition for road space." Has the Times decided that the unfettered competition championed by its business columnists is an ideal policy for traffic as well?

Cyclists and pedestrians beware. You are potential collateral damage in the competitive road economy, and The Times says that's how it should be.

Court rejected accountability from motorists

Perhaps the Court of Appeals ruling isn't anti-cyclist ["Court rejects city traffic law," NWTuesday, Aug. 18]. But it sends an awfully disturbing message to the cycling community.

When I read the Motor Vehicle Laws and got my driver's license, I was sobered to learn that I would be held accountable for any damage I did with the several-thousand-pound vehicle I was being allowed to operate. Perhaps the court has rejected accountability for motor-vehicle operators by their ruling in this case, too.

The Times cited the defense attorney's earnest claim that his client had not failed to do anything that was asked of him. But he left one thing out: The motorist failed to observe the traffic law. He failed to yield the right of way to the cyclist, who subsequently died.

I learned of the circumstances of this case only through reading Times' accounts and opinions of it. Nonetheless, it now seems that all noble promises made by the Department of Licensing about traffic laws being equally enforced for all users of the roads are false, and those who take to the streets on bicycles had better ride as if every car on the road is out to do them serious bodily harm.

That certainly fits my experience of commuting to work on a bicycle. And it fits the facts of this case.

Another Working Class Cyclist Killed by Wealthy CEO

I know they are Canadian and they are Socialists, but they do seem to "act" more civilized than us. Oh and their evil government is already setup to charge him. USA was 15th and 25th in reading and math respectively compared to other countries. Canada was ranked 3rd in both areas! Wait you can make more money here in the USA right?

The cyclist killed Monday in a collision with a car on Toronto's Bloor Street has been identified as Darcy Allan Sheppard, 33.

Originally from Edmonton, Sheppard worked for a city courier service and was also the father of an infant son.

Sheppard, who worked for a courier company, was the father of an infant son.
Michael Bryant, a former Ontario attorney general and the current CEO of Invest Toronto, has been charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death. read more here

Quotes for Your Commute

“Outside of traffic, there is nothing that has held this country back as much as committees.” - Will Rodgers

"It wasn't the Exxon Valdez captain's driving that caused the Alaskan oil spill. It was yours." ~Greenpeace advertisement, New York Times, 25 February 1990

"Americans are broad-minded people. They'll accept the fact that a person can be an alcoholic, a dope fiend, a wife beater, and even a newspaperman, but if a man doesn't drive, there is something wrong with him." ~Art Buchwald, "How Un-American Can You Get?," Have I Ever Lied to You?, 1966

"A commuter tie-up consists of you - and people who for some reason won't use public transit." ~Robert Brault

"A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after." ~Peter De Vries

"You can't see anything from a car; you've got to get out of the goddamn contraption and walk, better yet crawl, on hands and knees, over the sandstone and through the thornbrush and cactus. When traces of blood begin to mark your trail, you'll see something, maybe." ~Edward Abbey

Pedestrian killed on Whitesburg Drive

Pedistrian killed on Whitesburg Drive

This city is fucked. This time people won't be able to post their comments about how a poor black person from the projects was darting across University Drive. This goes to show all of us that know one is safe to walk or ride a bike anywhere in this fucking city.

Bicyclist hit on University Drive

Bicyclist Hit on University Dr.

Don't forget to look at the comments. I am sure we will here from the city soon how it was the cyclist fault and they had beer, no lights, helmet, were not certified to be on the road and why would anyone be on university. read more here

Transportation Report For Alabama

I am sure that our city engineers and council people have been pouring over these numbers. Heard today via Tommy Battle that state revenues had fallen last year for the first time in 20 years and expected to fall again next year. Could this be the sign of this state following in the foot steps of California, Michigan and others who have thrown all their cities future in to the gamble that these good times would continue to roll. Keep in mind this is just my opinion. Enjoy the drive.
So read on here and relax

Canadian Politician Charged in Death

The interesting part of this beside the obvious victims rage is who he lobbied for a bailout?

OTTAWA — As the high-profile attorney general for Ontario, Michael Bryant had championed severe and controversial traffic safety laws. On Tuesday, he was charged with criminal negligence causing death and with dangerous driving causing death in an unusually violent episode of road rage involving a bicyclist. read here for the answer

Driver hits cyclist he thought stole son's bike

From the AP

Colorado Springs police said a minivan driver intentionally hit a cyclist who he mistakenly thought had stolen his son's bike. Police said the cyclist suffered minor leg injuries when he was hit Monday but didn't require hospitalization. Investigators said the driver got out of the minivan and approached the cyclist, and the cyclist punched him, fearing he would be hit again.

Read more here

Nashville parks enforce bicycle speed limit as walkers, cyclists clash

From the Tennessean

So as Cyclist we have it bad and those of us who are pedestrians on a regular basis we have it really bad but, in Nashville it's a different situation completely.

A clash between "Tour de France wannabes" and "iPod-deaf roadblocks" has park police warning cyclists to slow down and walkers to stay in the slow lane on Nashville's greenways.

Park police trained radar guns on cyclists on three greenways Saturday.

They weren't there to write speeding tickets, says Capt. Rich Foley, park police commander.

The aim is to teach riders about the new 15 mph speed limit on the walk/bike paths and encourage riders and walkers to share the space.

read more here

Busy Sunday

Lifecycles from 8:30am - 2pm Lifecycles @ Lincoln Mill

Vinatage Ride 2pm Huntsville Middle School

Bike Polo 4pm Optimist Park

Or you can sit in your house or on your porch and yap away

Student-Organized Bike Sharing Program Beginning at Ohio Wesleyan

Final work for the Bike Movement in high gear

The tools are out, the bikes are being assembled, and the organizational details are being completed for Ohio Wesleyan’s first bicycle sharing program. It’s a go—OWU students soon will be seen on campus on brightly painted yellow communal bikes.
Last year’s Sagan National Colloquium focused on environmental issues, and students started exploring various ways to promote programs related to sustainability. The student planners wanted to reduce the need for cars on campus, while promoting the health benefits of cycling.

The Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs Environmental Committee has taken on the challenging task of funding and organizing the Bike Movement. Lara Kobelt ’10 and Jack Stenger ’10 are co-chairing the project. “We discovered that four different student groups were exploring the idea of a bike sharing program at OWU,” says Kobelt. “So we think this student-initiated program has wide support on campus.”

Twenty-five new bikes were purchased from Breakaway Cycling in Delaware, and now are being assembled by students. Kobelt says OWU Public Safety may donate additional bikes that were unclaimed on campus at the end of summer. These will be tuned-up, if necessary. All will be painted bright yellow.

WCSA funded the majority of the $10,000 project, with donations from campus supporters.

Many details are being worked out still, Kobelt says, but the students hope to kick off the program by late September. Students will pay a nominal fee to register, and then receive a wrist bracelet with a key attached that will be compatible with the bike locks. Current plans call for bikes to be picked up and dropped off at campus dorms.

Staff will get stake in grocery

From HSV Times, this seems like it might be a good thing!!!!

Food Bank plans worker-owned market for Terry Heights area

A grocery store unlike any other in Huntsville is coming to a vacant lot near the Terry Heights neighborhood.

As part of its mission to stamp out hunger and poverty, the nonprofit Food Bank of North Alabama is leading an effort to build the state's first worker-owned community market on Pulaski Pike.

Unlike chain supermarkets, the 6,000-square-foot Pulaski Pike Market will focus on fruits and vegetables grown in North Alabama using environmentally friendly farm practices.

"Why truck in produce 2,000 miles away from California when we have that ability here?" Kathryn Strickland, the Food Bank's director of community food security, asked Friday.

Along with fresh local produce, the market plans to offer special foods for people with diabetes and high blood pressure. Strickland said a recent study found that 21 percent of Terry Heights residents are diabetic.

The market's 20 or so employees will be owner-operators who share in the profits. That worker-cooperative business model has flourished in parts of Europe and the U.S. for decades but is new to Alabama.

"It gives the workers a chance to build wealth and long-term equity," Strickland said. "No matter what position you have in the store, you have one share and one vote.

"If there are profits generated, the worker-owners would decide how they are distributed."

Scheduled to open in summer 2010, the market will be built on 1.2 acres owned by the city on Pulaski just north of Holmes Avenue.

Under a contract approved Thursday by the City Council, the market will lease the site for $10 a year. It may also qualify for more than $300,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant money to buy freezers and other startup equipment.

Strickland said the market is a response to a 2007 "needs assessment" of the blue-collar Terry Heights, Hillandale and Sparkman Homes areas west of downtown....

Car Diet

The results of ZipCar's low-car diet are in.

After being without a car for a month, 25% of Pittsburghers who took the low-car challenge in July said they plan to continue to live without a personally-owned car.

Of those who do not plan to stay car-free, 67% plan to drive less.
This info comes courtesy of Maria Martinez, a ZipCar spokesman.

For some people, the weight loss reported by 38% of the participants might be the most compelling reason to drive less. For others, it would be the savings,

Pittsburgh's participants in this nationwide event walked 128 percent more miles during their month without a personal car, increased their trips on public transit by 102% and biked 2,650 percent more. (Note: this large percentage is due to the local partnership with BikePittsburgh and Car Free Fridays.)

More than 250 people worldwide gave up their personal cars for the month, and 100 of those said they planned to stay car free.

Wow.

Most exciting to Walkabout is that 59 percent of all participants reported that being without a car also made them more aware. They recycled more, ate foods for better health and rationed lights and air conditioning.

Partipants blogged their experiences at zipcar.com/lowcardiet.

Now it's all starting to make sense

As we talked about this a couple of months ago, now it all seems to be coming together. I can now understand things about Alabamians in a clear light. After all it is your constitutional right to drive your fat car with your refrigerator in it. I wont even go into the Wealthcare debate here:)

Alabama closes in on Mississippi as most obese state

Obese People Have 'Severe Brain Degeneration'

A new study finds obese people have 8 percent less brain tissue than normal-weight individuals. Their brains look 16 years older than the brains of lean individuals, researchers said today.

Those classified as overweight have 4 percent less brain tissue and their brains appear to have aged prematurely by 8 years.
The results, based on brain scans of 94 people in their 70s, represent "severe brain degeneration," said Paul Thompson, senior author of the study and a UCLA professor of neurology. read more here

Dear Huntsville,

IT'S THE DRIVER'S FAULT
From http://www.bobcesca.com/
A new study indicates that in most bicycle/motorist accidents, the motorist screwed up:

While there is a public perception that cyclists are usually the cause of accidents between cars and bikes, an analysis of Toronto police collision reports shows otherwise: The most common type of crash in this study involved a motorist entering an intersection and either failing to stop properly or proceeding before it was safe to do so. The second most common crash type involved a motorist overtaking unsafely. The third involved a motorist opening a door onto an oncoming cyclist. The study concluded that cyclists are the cause of less than 10 per cent of bike-car accidents in this study.

The top two most common causes listed above apply to my crash from last year. Improper overtaking and failing to yield at an intersection.

Though I have to quibble with the framing. It should be: 90 percent of all cyclist/motorist collisions are the driver's fault.

another

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- A bicyclist was hit by a vehicle while riding on Little Cove Road Monday night, according to Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc.

Leslie Collier, 35, who lives in the 200 block of Little Cove Road, was hit by a vehicle at about 9:30 p.m. not far from her home, said Don Webster, chief of operations for HEMSI. She was treated at the scene by HEMSI and taken to Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services by MedFlight helicopter, Webster said.

Hospital officials said this morning that Collier had been discharged from the hospital.
read more and the comments too

Why I bicycle on the sidewalk facing traffic

From The Examiner

Ed Wagner wrote an article entitled “Why do they do that? Wrong way riders”. In the article Wagner lambastes cyclists who ride on sidewalks and ride facing vehicular traffic as opposed to riding with vehicular traffic. I ride with traffic and I also ride against traffic. I tend to ride on sidewalks whenever I can. I rarely see pedestrians on the sidewalks but when I do I always move off the sidewalk onto the roadway or off onto the grass so as to give the walking pedestrian plenty of room.

I decide how to ride according to conditions. I prefer to ride on the sidewalks facing traffic. There have been numerous times I have seen a car in the distance approaching me as the car is weaving erratically as the driver is obviously intoxicated. I know some of these drunk drivers would of hit me if I had been riding with traffic but by facing traffic I can see the cell phone texters not paying attention and the inebriated drivers BEFORE they would of hit me.

Mr. Wagner states that “...let's be very clear - bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.
“
read more here

More Insanity

On Friday two cyclists state they were sideswipped by a car on the Eastern Bypass near Oakleigh, I don't think either was transported.

On Saturday a car turned into a cyclist on Bankhead near Oak Park causing the cyclist to crash, he was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

Meridian

I almost got hit on Meridian again today. And the car behind me with a driver that waited way too long to brake did. It's too bad it won't be ruled their fault. I would have liked to stayed until the police got there so I could tell them that and hopefully influence the insurance, but if I was going to get shot, it was going to be in the back before they checked on the other people. No really, getting killed is an actual fear on Meridian. It's past time that the police do something about this. It was just before the traffic island at the 72 intersection. $1 says someone claims a cyclist caused the accident.

In Katine, a Coke is easy to buy. Medicine isn't

As the idiots of america disrupt the healthcare debate keep this in perspective. There is also a food crisis there so enjoy your $3 starbucks and your big mac. Not that anyone who reads Bello Velo would go to these places:)

In Uganda and across Africa people are dying of diseases such as malaria and TB because they can't get the drugs to treat them.

Emanuel Opengam has the listless look in his large eyes of the habitually ill. The three-year-old sits passively on his mother's lap, and sometimes his seven-year-old sister's, in a corner of a drug shop in north-eastern Uganda. It's just a small room in a hut, dominated by a table covered with a dirty gingham cloth on which are stacked plastic tubs of pills that are sold loose, in twos and threes or as many as the patient can afford. read more here

What does this remind you of?

Gallup Poll: Alabama most conservative state

Alabama is the most conservative state in the nation, according to a Gallup Poll.

The poll says that 49 percent of Alabamians polled identified themselves as conservative. Alabama was followed by Mississippi, where 48 percent identified themselves as conservative, according to the poll released Aug. 14.

Others on the top 10 conservative list are: Utah, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, all at 47 percent; South Carolina, 46 percent; North Dakota, 45 percent; and South Dakota, Idaho, and Wyoming, all at 44 percent.

The District of Columbia, which had the fewest people identifying themselves as conservative, was ranked as the place where the most people identified themselves as liberal. Massachusetts, Vermont, Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, California, Hawaii, and Connecticut round out the top 10 liberal states in the poll.

NYC Summer Streets 2009

Cycling numbers are up, accidents way down in NYC

From the examiner.com

On a weekend when hundreds of bicycle riders took advantage of a car-free Saturday route up the center of Manhattan -- Park Avenue -- to Central Park, the Associated Press reports that cycling numbers have exploded in the Big Apple while accidents are down.

Biking is the city's "fastest growing mode of transportation," says City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.The number of cyclists has jumped by 80 percent in the past decade — to 185,000 among the more than 8 million city residents.
With more than 420 miles of bike routes, plus safety awareness campaigns and handouts of free helmets, New York is literally on a roll. During the same period, bicycle accidents have fallen more than 40 percent, says the Department of Transportation.

almost hit

I almost got hit by a red BMW 325i on the way to school today. I was northbound on Meridian going up the little hill past Wholesale. It's kind of tough to judge from a mirror on Meridian since people drive like assholes and get too close for no reason quite often (read: step it up HPD). But I bailed to the gutter for this one when I realized how close the guy was getting with the other lane empty. And shortly after I did he brake locked and swerved. But if I hadn't bailed I would have gotten hit. Or I probably would have gotten hit without the mirror. If you've seen me riding, you know how goofy and bright I look on the way to school. I was wearing an ANSI lime vest with reflective strips over my messenger bag. There is no excuse for not seeing me. Since the guy braked and swerved and waved when I yelled what the hell, I think he was just being inattentive and didn't do it on purpose. I hope I got the plate right. What can I do about this since he didn't actually hit me or harass me? Can the police at least talk to him about starting to give a shit about the lives of others when he's driving?

cool new Huntsville website

http://maps.hsvcity.com/gis/

This is a new site from Huntsville's GIS department. It has nice aerial imagery, and you can measure lane widths. There are also updated 2 foot topo lines to get an idea of grades. You may find this useful for planning rides.

Bikes Not Bombs

It is great to be back in Talabama

Stop the Madness

Sadly it's the same story over and over again. Someone's cellphone conversation is more important than a person's life.

Businessman killed while riding bicycle; no charges filed

A Scottsboro businessman and exercise enthusiast was killed on his bicycle Wednesday afternoon by a driver reaching for her cell phone.

Carlos Serrano, 49, died at the scene on Veterans Drive in Scottsboro after he was struck by the vehicle driven by Kimberly Kelsey Drawbaugh, 26. The police report stated the driver said she didn't see him as she reaching into her purse for her phone. Serrano was thrown 200 feet from the spot of impact near the intersection of Crawford Road.

Also Wednesday, Democratic lawmakers called for states to ban texting while driving or risk losing one-fourth of their federal highway money. Currently, 14 states and the District of Columbia have laws that make texting while driving illegal.

Such a bill passed the Alabama House 92-4 last year but never made it out of the Senate.

A study performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 955 deaths and 240,000 accidents in 2002 could be attributed to cell phone use. The study was conducted in 2003, but the results weren't made available until last week, which helped prompt lawmakers' actions.

Police Sgt. Scott Matthews said no charges have been filed against Drawbaugh, a Scottsboro resident, but he said the case could be sent to the grand jury.

Serrano, a native of Spain who traveled the world to compete in marathons and triathlons, was the president of Polyamide High Performance, one of the top international suppliers of nylon fibers for air bags. In a newspaper interview in 2007, he said he became interested in fitness 10 years earlier while at a corporate seminar that included a health management class.

There he realized he worked too much, didn't eat properly and didn't get enough exercise. That ignited his quest for fitness.

Because he was so passionate about exercise, Serrano encouraged those around him to be fit, too. His two children were successful athletes in several sports. Daughter Laura was the top finisher for Scottsboro High in a state golf tournament in May, and son Carlos Jr. was training with his father for a half-Ironman triathlon in Augusta, Ga.

From The Huntsville Times

Nashville MPO

Take a look at Nashville's MPO site. It is comprehensive and encourages public involvement. Seems like they have learned it is much more productive to talk to people instead of talk at them. OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD OR ELSE!!!!! sorry I digress:)
Nashville MPO
Nashville MPO Public Participation

As a public agency, the Nashville Area MPO encourages members of the public to participate in the development of regional transportation plans and programs and in meetings of the Executive Board and its Technical Coordinating Committee.

Bicycle, pedestrian plan open to public comment

Hey Nascar (Huntsville) even Nashville get's it!!! PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS

Most roads in and around Nashville get a grade of D for serving pedestrians and cyclists.

That was the finding of the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is wrapping up work on a regional transportation plan through 2035. Bicycling and walking will be included, and the public can learn more and help set priorities for sidewalks, greenways and bike lanes at meetings next week.

"We can see what people want, look at existing facilities, look at what is planned," said Leslie Meehan, who is developing the walk/bike part of the plan. "That's where we can develop priorities. … Where should we be putting dollars to help people get around?"

Planners have found a lot of demand for places to walk and bike.

It was amazing to me. Fifty to 60 percent of people walk or bike at least once a month," Meehan said, referring to a survey of 1,700 residents. "With just a little change … that would jump to 80 percent. There's a huge desire out there."

Nashville's Green Ribbon Committee has set a goal for everyone to have access to two ways to get around — a private vehicle and then mass transit, walking or biking.
read more here

Check out here too

More on Complete Streets

From Complete Streets Website

The streets of our cities and towns are an important part of the livability of our communities. They ought to be for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper. But too many of our streets are designed only for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams.
Now, in communities across the country, a movement is growing to complete the streets. States, cities and towns are asking their planners and engineers to build road networks that are safer, more livable, and welcoming to everyone.

Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind - including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Complete Streets

In urban planning and highway engineering, complete streets are roadways designed and operated to enable safe, attractive, and comfortable access and travel for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transport users of all ages and abilities are able to safely and comfortably move along and across a complete street.[1] Proponents claim that Complete Streets also create a sense of place and improve social interaction, while generally improving property adjacent land values.

Complete streets policies direct transportation planners and engineers to consistently design with all users in mind.[citation needed] These policies have been adopted by a few states (including Oregon, Florida, South Carolina) and a number of regions and cities. Places that adopt complete streets policies ensure that their streets and roads work for drivers, transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists, as well as for older people, children, and people with disabilities.[citation needed] Complete Streets improve motorist attitude and behavior toward other street users.

A Federal Highway Administration safety review found that designing the street with pedestrians in mind—sidewalks, raised medians, turning access controls, better bus stop placement, better lighting, traffic calming measures, and treatments for disabled travelers—all improve pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist safety.(1) One study found that installing these features reduced pedestrian risk by 28%.(2) Other experiences show reduced crashes of 50-76%, especially when medians, proper turn radii, and access controls are added.

The Institute of Medicine recommends fighting childhood obesity by changing ordinances to encourage construction of sidewalks, bikeways, and other places for physical activity.(3) A report of the National Conference of State Legislators found that the most effective policy avenue for encouraging bicycling and walking is complete streets.(4) One study found that 43% of people with safe places to walk within 10 minutes of home met recommended activity levels, while just 27% of those without safe places to walk were active enough.

About one-third of Americans do not drive.(6) Complete streets help provide safe access for people who use wheelchairs, have vision impairments, and for older people and children. More than one quarter of all trips are one mile or less – and almost half are under five miles. Most of those trips are now made by car. Streets that provide travel choices give people the option to avoid traffic jams and increase the overall capacity of the transportation network.

State bans wine label with nude nymph

The state's alcoholic beverage regulators have deemed a wine label -- featuring a vintage 1895 bicycle advertising poster with a nude nymph flying alongside a winged bike -- has been rejected by the state as "immodest," and it must be removed from grocery store and bar shelves. read more stupidity here

HUD wants city of Huntsville to repay $191,000 for properties bought with federal money

Is the City losing it's federally funded gentrification dollars? Seems like a lot of the same good old boy's and girls doing the same incompetent jobs.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development wants the city of Huntsville to repay $191,000 for several vacant lots and decaying homes in the Lowe Mill neighborhood bought with federal money.

Mayor Tommy Battle said HUD officials told him Wednesday that the properties, mostly on Boardman Street, are being "disqualified" because environmental tests were not performed on time. read more here

The Nook

The Nook ordered a bike rack. They said it will be a few weeks until it arrives.

Tour De Gallery

Meet at The Huntsville Art Museum 6pm as we ride the Gallery Tour by Bike. We will end at Lowe Mill. This is a slow and leisurely ride no need for leadership.

This is a Car Free event!!!!

26-mile trail for Scottsboro?

Now I am not one for Greenways,but here are a few things that are interesting.
1: Money
2: How they connect these to make them commuter usable (complete streets)
3: Retired forward thinking engineer.
4: No committee and 20 people showed up to support it.
5: Unanimous support from their city council.
6: 26 miles nothing to sneeze at.

TVA requested hearing due to location near Roseberry

SCOTTSBORO - Jim Olyniec of Scottsboro presented a proposed 26-mile biking, walking and hiking trail at a public hearing Monday night that would connect schools and shopping centers.

Olyniec is a retired engineer who volunteered to design the trail for the city.

I believe in this project," he said. "I'll devote whatever resources I can to make it work."

Several of about 20 people who showed up for the hearing spoke favorably of the plan. No one spoke in opposition to it.

The Tennessee Valley Authority required the hearing because a portion of the proposed trail goes through its land along Roseberry Creek. read more here

also note: To provide comments on the proposed trail or for more information, e-mail Olyniec at jimoly@scottsboro.org

Driven to Distraction

From the NY Times

A 2003 Harvard study estimated that cellphone distractions caused 2,600 traffic deaths every year, and 330,000 accidents that result in moderate or severe injuries.

Yet Americans have largely ignored that research. Instead, they increasingly use phones, navigation devices and even laptops to turn their cars into mobile offices, chat rooms and entertainment centers, making roads more dangerous.

Read more Here

Another Incident

Dear Bill Kling,

We have met on a number of occasions including the shooting of the share the road PSA's. I'm not sure if this has already been brought to your attention, but here is a very disturbing account of a recent bike/car incident involving a child in Huntsville: http://blog.al.com/times-views/2009/07/letters_to_the_editor_saturday_3.html

I have been harassed numerous times riding my bike as a commuter in Huntsville, most recently, I was riding North on Meridian to work yesterday and a car yelled at me to get on the sidewalk as they turned into a parking lot. I swung back and talked to the woman (nicely) and she had no idea 1. that I'm supposed to be on the road 2. that there were share the road signs put up by the city on the very road we were on. She said she was yelling at me because she was worried I would get hit....My experiences during my daily commute and errands by bike, illustrate that City efforts for education and outreach are not effectively targeting drivers and that signage (where it is present) is not sufficiently visible to drivers. The city has yet to install all the signage promised in the wake of Sarah Chapman's death and the signs that do exist are often too small or poorly placed to be noticed on Huntsville's larger and busier roads such as Meridian St. and Whitesburg Dr. I am aware of the numerous budget issues and beaurocracy involved in merely placing signs and painting Share-rows on road surfaces; however, I am also frustrated that it just hasn't happened and that for drivers - the roads don't look any different than they did a year ago and bikes still don't 'belong' on the road.

Leela Pahl

South Huntsville Needs Motorist Education and Manners

From Scott:

Yesterday afternoon I finally got the license plate number of the redneck that buzzes me and lays on his horn every time he passes me on Hobbs Island Road. He’s done this at least 3 times in the past 2 to 3 weeks, making it a point to not give way at all and sit on his horn as he passes. Each time he’s done this there have been no cars coming in the other direction to keep him from moving over, it has always been on a stretch with plenty of “line of sight” down the road, and once he was in a line of three or four vehicles all of which gave me ample room when passing and he still did this crap. The good thing is that not only did I get the license number and a good description of the vehicle but I also saw exactly where he lives. After yesterday’s incident I continued riding east on Hobbs Island and noticed the car at a house on the right side of the road about 1 ½ miles past the railroad crossing. I rode an out and back and the car was there on my way back too. If you ride this road often and are familiar with it, it is the first house in a row of about 3 houses with a chain link fence in the front yard(s) that is/are always open. There are usually about 2 or 3 dogs in the yards and driveways and they will try and chase cyclist if they notice you in time. This is just before you pass the Ebenezer (something or other) Church. Like I said if you are familiar with this road you likely know where this is. The car is a junkie looking dark green Ford Taurus (I believe it’s a Taurus) 4 door. I noticed yesterday that part of his front bumper is torn off/missing. The license plate number is 47T812N in case someone has a run-in with him and recognizes the car from my description.

Has anyone else had problems with the vehicle I described? Also, does anyone have contact info so I can report this? I’m still debating as to whether or not I should report it because I don’t know what if anything the police will do. They did little to nothing when I was hit by a hit and run driver so I don’t see them really doing anything to this guy other than asking him if he did it, telling him to stop (yea that’s going to work), and then the guy in return might do something malicious to cyclists in the future. I’ve thought of all types of ways to vandalize his vehicle which I know isn’t the thing to do but I was/am pretty angry about the whole thing.

Scott is currently calling the cops to report this and we will let you know what happens.

Pedestrian hit crossing University Drive

While our city talks of all their exciting plans for those of you who can afford them, loft living, bad broadway plays at merrimack and prosperity to all who support the arsenal,brac and nasa another person is hit by a car. If you think this has no affect on you as a cyclist you must be an idiot. Do you really think we are safe when HPD rides around all day talking and texting? How can we expect drivers to pay attention when the police are so distracted. Tommy should have run on the platform "more of the same" or "more of the insane" depending on your trust fund status.

HUNTSVILLE, AL - A pedestrian was struck by a car on University Drive in Huntsville and badly injured. The accident happened just before 10:30am Tuesday at the intersection of University and Henderson.

Several witnesses at the scene say the young woman appeared to be trying to run across University and beat the traffic when she was struck by a driver in the westbound lane.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene and the victim was transported to Huntsville Hospital.

Right now, we have no word on her condition, but a nurse at the scene said it appeared to be serious.

here are some emails

contact@hsvcity.com

Bike Ped Coordinator - jo.sommers@hsvcity.com

District 1 City Councilman Richard Showers, Sr - richard.showers@hsvcity.com

District 2 City Councilman Mark Russell - Mark.Russell@hsvcity.com

District 3 City Councilman - Sandra.Moon@hsvcity.com

District 4 City Councilman - Bill Kling bill.kling@hsvcity.com

District 5 City Councilman - Will Culver will.culver@hsvcity.com

Last in the US and Proud!!!!!

Can't Blame Mississippi for this. Keep in mind why we are at the bottom. The good news is more Brac more wack drivers!!!!Maybe a new motto "Pro Life as long as you can afford a Truck or SUV" Almost a year has passed and the Share the Road Sign are still not finished!!!!
From HSV Times

Thoughtless driver

My son was riding his bike on South Bailey Cove/Green Cove around 3:30 p.m. on July 6 and was struck by a red SUV (maybe a Jeep) while crossing the street. The car was traveling north and struck the front tire of the bicycle on the passenger side front bumper of the vehicle.

The person driving did not stop and I have to wonder what were you thinking? Did you wonder if he was hurt? Did you even think about what just happened? Have you thought about it since?

I really find it unconscionable that someone could strike a child on a bike and just keep going as if nothing happened. Really, what were you thinking?

Kelly M. Evans,
Huntsville, 35803

'Green' brothel offers discounts to customers who arrive by bike

From NY Daily News

The prostitution business in Germany has been hit hard by the worldwide economic downturn, so one brothel has come up with a novel promotion that's also good for the environment.
Maison d'envie in Berlin is offering a $7 discount off its usual $100 fee to customers who arrive on bicycle.
"Obviously we hope that the discount will attract more people," said brothel owner Thomas Goetz. "It’s good for business, it’s good for the environment — and it’s good for the girls."
"We have around 3-5 new customers coming in daily to take advantage of the discount."

Prostitution is legal in Germany and 400,000 prostitutes have formally registered since 2002.

New York City finishes 200 miles of bike lanes at Grand Concourse cermony

From the greatest city in the world!!!!!!! Wow a city that considers all modes of transportation not just getting brac people new lanes for their monster trucks and ass's.

With one last dash of paint, New York became the self-proclaimed "bike capital of the nation" Wednesday.
City leaders gathered on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx to paint the final stretch of a 200-mile, three-year bike lane expansion that nearly doubled the number of bike-lane miles across the car-packed five boroughs.
The project's completion brings the city's total street bike lanes to 420 miles and its total bike lanes, including park space, to 620 miles.
City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan compared the project's size to a one-way road between New York and Boston, with New York now having double the number of bike-lane miles as Chicago. Bike commuting has increased by 45% since the project began, she said.
Wednesday's celebration emphasized the all-around benefits of biking, with Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe lauding how new bike paths attract people to city parks, and Dr. Thomas Farley, city health commissioner, applauding the benefits of physical activity and bike lane safety. read more here

Life Cycles @ Lincoln Mill

The new location of life cycles at Lincoln Mill. Jim has a great space and he has done a lot of hard work to really make the space look great.






more pictures here

keep on keepin' on

THE REVIVAL/KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON from morehartfilms on Vimeo.

New Website Bikerules.org

bikerules.org

Biking Rules is a new 'Street Code' for NYC cyclists, following the simple principle that our responsibility to others on the street increases in relation to our potential to cause harm.

With Biking Rules, NYC cyclists are taking the lead to create safer, saner streets. We need your help in making this Street Code catch on. Click here to find out more.

Critical Mass Art Extravaganza Pics

Mississippi's still fattest but Alabama closing in

WASHINGTON – Mississippi's still king of cellulite, but an ominous tide is rolling toward the Medicare doctors in neighboring Alabama: obese baby boomers.
It's time for the nation's annual obesity rankings and, outside of fairly lean Colorado, there's little good news. Obesity rates among adults rose in 23 states over the past year and didn't decline anywhere, says a new report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
And while the nation has long been bracing for a surge in Medicare as the boomers start turning 65, the new report makes clear that fat, not just age, will fuel much of those bills. In every state, the rate of obesity is higher among 55- to 64-year-olds — the oldest boomers — than among today's 65-and-beyond.
That translates into a coming jump of obese Medicare patients that ranges from 5.2 percent in New York to a high of 16.3 percent in Alabama, the report concluded. In Alabama, nearly 39 percent of the oldest boomers are obese.read more here

Video From Last night

Big thanks to Derek for the filming and speedy video editing.

Critical Mass June 2009 from Derek Johnson on Vimeo.

Last Nights Photos

more here

Video from Tuesday Night Ride

Tuesday Night Ride from Derek Johnson on Vimeo.

Huntsville Bicycle Weekend More Info

Thanks Two Five Fix for the Graphic, Time etc :)

There is still time to start your Bicycle Art Projects and here is some more info:

T- Shirt Printing @ the Bicycle Art Show
Bring a blank T - Shirt Friday to the show if you would like to have it printed on. It's Free!!!!!!!!!

Bicycle Art Show Drop Off:
Thursday 25th from 12 -4 and Friday the 26th 12 - 4 you can drop off your Art work downstairs at Lowe Mill. If you want to help out and decorate the room please stop by.

Potluck Drop off and Info:
Friday 26th Downstairs @ Lowe Mill from 12 - 4 or bring it with you on the ride. If you want to use the BBQ it will be fired up and ready for use that night. Please try and bring real plates if you can and take them with you when it is over. Keep in mind we are trying to create less trash and food taste like crap on styrofoam and paper plates. There is also the Bike Blender so you can pedal your way to margaritas or smoothies bring your own fruit or mixes.

Friday's Critical Mass and Bicycle Art Show Party June 26
SE Corner of Courthouse Downtown Meet @ 6:30 pm and ride starts @ 7pm. Bring lights, noisemakers, signs and your voice for the biggest party on two wheels. Keep in mind this is to encourage people to ride a bicycle instead of drive, so be nice to motorists and encourage them with waves, smiles and joy!!!!! Remember this is fun!!!! There is still time to add your music to the DJ Bike Playlist here the DJ Bike is Solar Powered and loud so get ready to dance !!!!!!!!!!! Bicycle Art Show starts at 8pm At Lowe Mill

Saturday's The Hot Mess Alley Cat June 27
8:30 PM behind Bicycles Etc. Two person teams bring a cell phone with a camera or a camera and meet at the Lumberyard directly behind Bicycles Etc. you will need lights on your bike and helmets are encouraged. Plus you can go faster:) more info at Two Five Fix here


Sunday's Vintage Ride June 28
2 PM Meet at Huntsville Middle School @ 817 Adams

Sunday Bicycle Polo June 28
4pm Optimist Park Come out and play or watch and cheer your favorites on!!!
--
More Events @ http://www.bellovelo.com

Critical Mass Art Extravaganza Playlist

The DJ Tyler is now compiling your playlists for the DJ Bike so put your song suggestions in the comments.

Come on...........!!!!! is this not the best!!!!!!

from woostercollective via autoblog

Alley Cat

From twofivefix

Bicycle harassment ordinance passes unanimously

From the Missourian

COLUMBIA — A bicyclist harassment ordinance passed unanimously at the City Council meeting Monday after nearly an hour and a half of debate.

The ordinance makes harassment of bicyclists — including throwing objects, verbal assault and other offenses — a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $1,000 fine or one year of jail time, the council said.

After the lengthy testimony from citizens and discussion by the council, the ordinance passed with plans to amend it at the July 20 City Council meeting. At that time, the ordinance will be expanded to include other types of pedestrian traffic.

The delay in a decision was due to debate over who should be covered under the harassment ordinance. Some council members felt the ordinance should be more broad and encompass other types of pedestrian traffic, while others thought protecting bicyclists was important now and the rest could be added later.

Many in the bicycling community showed up to voice their feelings about the ordinance. Twenty individuals, some with children in tow, lined up to wait for their turn at the microphone. All 20 supported the ordinance.

Read more here

Bike Pool

From Streetfilms

On the second Friday of the month, the Transportation Alternatives Queens Committee leads a bike pool along Queens Boulevard. This street is a critical yet dangerous part of many Queens bike commutes. By riding in a group each month, pool members aim to educate drivers that bikes are on the street, make a statement about the need for a bike lane, and give the borough's bike commuters a safe ride home.

I joined up with the ride last month. The next bike pool is tomorrow -- Friday, June 12.

New Urbanism: Built to Last

No really check this out!!

Scholarship established in memory of former AHS student

The Sarah Chapman “Ray of Sunshine” Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established by her parents, Charles and Gloria Chapman, at The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Additionally, her friends, family and fellow students contributed funds to the endowment. They established the scholarship to honor Chapman, a third year marketing major and communications art minor student at UAH, who was killed in a bicycle accident late last summer near the university’s campus.

“Two days before her death, Sarah told members of her sorority that she wanted to be remembered as a ray of sunlight that brightened everyone’s day. With this scholarship, she will forever brighten the lives of UAH students who receive the scholarship,” her parents said. “At the time of her death, she was receiving three scholarships. Establishing this scholarship is a way to give back to the university. She loved her college experience at UAH and she was very involved with campus activities. She had wonderful friends and teachers who loved her. This is our way of saying thanks to UAH.

“We would also like to thank our friends who helped build the scholarship fund; parents and teachers of Heritage and Columbia Elementary Schools in Madison, friends and colleagues at Athens State University and Sarah’s UAH friends and faculty members. Their outpouring of love and support helped us get through the past nine months.”

The scholarship will be presented annually beginning in 2010 to outstanding female students enrolled in the College of Business Administration with first preference going to sophomore students who demonstrate leadership potential and who are actively involved in campus activities.

Chapman began attending UAH three years ago. She served in the Student Government Association and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She also served as a Lancer, the official student ambassadors for the university. Friends and faculty at UAH remember Chapman as an intelligent and hard working young woman, who possessed a natural curiosity and an abundance of confidence.

She graduated from Athens High School in 2006 where she was the yearbook editor and was active in many clubs and organizations such as the Sub Deb Service Society.

Accident/theft/hazard reporting

Bikewise is a website that some of us have started using for reporting past accidents and thefts. We also report current hazards that cyclists should be prepared for and some that the city should address. Add yours and help keep each other safe. The website should autodetect your location but some firewalls may not allow it.

A Herd of Lawn Chairs for Weary Tourists

From NYTimes

Forget the surreal prospect of a trafficless Times Square. Never mind the progressive transportation agenda.
The scene-stealing star of the city’s newly opened, $1.5 million pedestrian plaza project may be its fleet of folding lawn chairs, humble refugees from the Ace Hardware catalog that have colonized the Broadway pavement.

In candy-stripe shades of pink, blue and green, the 376 rubber folding chairs and loungers are an unlikely import from the sphere of suburban swimming pools and budget trips to the beach. Average purchase price: about $15 apiece, or 0.001 percent of the project’s total budget.

Since their Memorial Day debut, the chairs have quickly entered the zeitgeist, earning criticism from the mayor and wonderment from pedestrians, who have pronounced them both tacky and endearing. The obligatory merchandise tie-in has already appeared: a pair of local designers produced a T-shirt that replaces the heart in “I ♥ New York” with a lounge chair. A few dozen have already sold.
read more here

Ben Sollee Xtracycle Tour

From Fuckgas

Pedaling Against Poverty Day 1 - Lexington to Frankfort, KY from marty benson on Vimeo.

Huntsville Bicycle Weekend

This is an early reminder about "Huntsville Bicycle Weekend" and what else is happening this month. more details to come.

June 9th 7 pm
Tuesday Night Ride behind Bicycles Etc 7 pm

June 10th 7 pm
There is a Public Input meeting Weds. Night at the Huntsville Public Library Downtown. Please come with your ideas, suggestions and questions. There are bike racks available. Please ride your bike to the meeting, this speaks louder than words.

1st Annual Huntsville Bicycle Weekend June 26th - June 28th:

June 26th
Critical Mass and Art Extravaganza.
SE Corner of Courthouse Downtown meet @ 6:30 ride @ 7pm
8pm Bicycle Art Show, Films, Potluck, BBQ and DJ Robbie and Tyler
Please start your bicycle related art projects now!!!! more details to come.

June 27th
Alleycat
Saturday Night (time to be announced) starts @ Bicycles Etc. more details to come.
We have beer, bike, and tattoo sponsors in addition to an an awesome after party/ pool party venue with free beer and band. You will need a team name - we can hook you up with a partner if you like, and a camera or cell phone with camera. This is not a fixed gear only event so ride what you like.

June 28th
Vintage Ride
2pm Huntsville Middle School

Bike Polo
4pm Optimist Park

Tuesday Night RIde

7pm Behind Bicycles Etc on Meridian

Bike Lanes

From HubandSpokes

A friend introduced me yesterday to rambunctious bicycling advocate Fred Oswald via a recent article out of Cleveland’s press. Much debate swirls around his not-so-uncommon opinions. Mr. Oswald’s argument can be boiled down to two points: supporting a critical need for much more bicycling education on sharing public roadways with other vehicles, and fighting an industry-borne fallacy that breaking up streets with allocated spaces, such as bike lanes, is good for the biking community. The former is, of course, not contestable. We all agree that safety and training are absolutely critical to developing a strong and healthy bicycling community. The latter, however, is a serious point of contention in the transportation profession, and deserves discussion. Categorically declaring bike lanes counter-productive is lacking nuance and myopically idealistic; it simply does not reflect where we are as a nation of people on the move. When it comes to the idea of bicycles and automobiles co-existing, that is, equally sharing a common public space, we Americans are but toddlers learning to get our balance; therefore, we still need training wheels. And training wheels in this metaphor take the form of two parallel stripes called bike lanes. read more here

New draft map of NolaCycle data

From NolaCycle

Here's a new draft map of the NolaCycle data. It's just for a small area because we're planning on taking a different approach to digitizing the data than originally planned. I'll post the information on some upcoming digitizing/graphics meetings for July later in the month. If you're into computer programming or GIS, then those will be the meetings for you!

In the mean time, check this map out. From this map you can design your own custom routes. NolaCycle will be doing some recommended routes as well (likely will have a "data map" and a "route map" when it's all said and done), but I didn't feel comfortable drawing up recommended routes without being able to double-check them physically before posting them online. If you see any errors with the data on this map, leave a comment or e-mail me so I can make the corrections.

GOP Budget Cuts Take Aim At Educational Opportunities For Women, Bike Paths, And Technology Innovation

More slashes from the "party of no ideas"

from ThinkProgress

Today, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) sent President Obama a proposal with budget cuts that they claim could save taxpayers “in excess of $375 billion.” From their letter to Obama:

– Elimination of the Safe Routes to Schools program. The program “pays for building sidewalks, bike paths and crossing guards.” Not only does the program encourage green community practices, but also aims to increase safety and improve public health.

read more here

Fixed Gear, Single Speed, Cruiser? I don't know!

It's the bike with the style and geometry of a fixed gear track bike, BUT WAIT A MINIUTE!!! Yes it has a coaster break just like the bikes we all enjoyed as kids. Only now you no longer have to pedal around on your 50 pound beach cruiser from the middle of the 20th century. You can now enjoy a light weight single speed bicycle with no cables or pesky derailers to constantly adjust

by OSOBIKE more here

Posey Peep Show Tonight @ 8pm

Hooray for the Riff Raff
The Dreaded Firefly & Sweet Lucy
Posey Peep Show

8pm 5 bucks go and ride your bike there!!!!!

BASC public meeting at Main library

x-posted from hsvbike.com; help them represent you

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, IDEAS?…THERE IS A PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED AT THE HUNSTVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY…IN THE A/B ROOM WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH FROM 7:00PM-8:30PM. ALL ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

Critical Mass Pics

Vintage Ride Pics