Thursday, May 14, 2009
RELAX
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Only In Alabama
Why is this turd of a senator being voted for here again and again? Only comment on this if you contacted him and told him to support to support the transportation bill.
http://sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.ContactMe
Sessions Amendment Threatens Core Bike Funding
Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions is offering an amendment today, Monday May 16, which would slash funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects in the Senate transportation bill. Although the measure is not expected to pass, The League of American Bicyclists is urging its supporters to contact their Senators to ask them to oppose the Sessions Amendment (646).
A strong show of support for bicycle and pedestrian project funding will help us in the final stages of negotiation: the conference committee between House and Senate members that will convene after the Senate has passed its bill (SAFETEA). The Senate is expected to end debate on SAFETEA as early as Tuesday.
Action!
Contact your senator by e-mail, visit http://www.senate.gov/ and then go to your senator’s individual Web site to find contact information.
Background
Senator Sessions’ amendment seeks to reduce the overall funding level in the Senate transportation bill by $11bn (to bring it in line with the funding level approved by the Budget Committee on which Sessions serves) – and proposes to do it by slashing funding for two of the primary funding sources for bicycling and walking projects.
The amendment will cut funding for public transit by $5 billion, clean air improvements funded by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program by $4 billion, community building and transportation options funded under the Transportation Enhancements program by $1.1 billion, and smart transportation strategies funded under the TCSP program by $100 million. These changes and some others total $10.7 billion.
The amendment singles out these funding programs from the dozens of programs in the proposed Senate legislation, and chooses this approach over across the board cuts. This gratuitous attack on some of the core transportation programs established by ISTEA in 1991 must be soundly rejected in order to send a message to members of Congress who will be negotiating the final bill in conference committee. They need to know that cutting these programs is simply not an option.
In German Suburb, Life Goes On Without Cars
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/05/11/science/12suburb_600.JPG
From The NY Times
AUBAN, Germany — Residents of this upscale community are suburban pioneers, going where few soccer moms or commuting executives have ever gone before: they have given up their cars.
Street parking, driveways and home garages are generally forbidden in this experimental new district on the outskirts of Freiburg, near the French and Swiss borders. Vauban’s streets are completely “car-free” — except the main thoroughfare, where the tram to downtown Freiburg runs, and a few streets on one edge of the community. Car ownership is allowed, but there are only two places to park — large garages at the edge of the development, where a car-owner buys a space, for $40,000, along with a home.
As a result, 70 percent of Vauban’s families do not own cars, and 57 percent sold a car to move here. “When I had a car I was always tense. I’m much happier this way,” said Heidrun Walter, a media trainer and mother of two, as she walked verdant streets where the swish of bicycles and the chatter of wandering children drown out the occasional distant motor.
Vauban, completed in 2006, is an example of a growing trend in Europe, the United States and elsewhere to separate suburban life from auto use, as a component of a movement called “smart planning.” read more here
Bike To Work Day
May 15th is National Bike to Work Day.
Here is a blurb from streetfilms:
The League of American Bicyclists started Bike-to-Work Day in 1956 as a part of National Bike-to-Work Week, which in some cities has turned into Bike Month.Bike-to-Work Day is an annual event that promotes and celebrates the bicycle as a viable mode of transportation. On Bike-to-Work Day, national, regional, and local bicycle advocacy groups often organize bicycle-related events.Today’s Streetfilm features Bike-to-Work Day in Austin, San Francisco, New York City and Portland, Oregon.If you haven’t already, check out the Streetsblog open thread from Friday. And, contact us if you would like to participate in next year’s NBTWD film!
Bicycle Film Fest Start in Memphis
Just got this from the coordinators
The Bicycle Film Festival is coming to Memphis this May 29 - 30! The Bicycle Film Festival is a celebration of bicycles through film, art and music. This is the 9th year and the festival travels all over the world. We have a great line up of films and events this year. We're hoping to bring together cyclists from all over the South for this weekend of amazing bike-related events.
We'd love it if you posted the poster and / or program (attached) on your website and sent it out to your distribution list and to other bicycle and film lovers! Be sure to buy tickets ahead of time online at www.bicyclefilmfestival.com. If you send me your email address I can email you our program and poster -- I can also send you hard copies.
We can help you find accommodations at a fellow bicyclist's home or at an affordable hostel / hotel in the area.
There will be free bike valet at all events.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. Hope to see you in a couple of weeks!
May 29
7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Film Screenings at the Brooks Museum (1934 Poplar Ave)
9 p.m. until late
After Party with Gold Sprints, a DJ and a one hour open bar!
at Nocturnal (1588 Madison Ave)
May 30
12 - 4 p.m.
Block Party at Overton Park with food, vendors, bike games / tricks, games for kids -- fun for everyone!
3 p.m.
Film Screening at the Brooks Museum, Road to Roubaix
9 p.m.
Bikes Rock with River City Tanlines, Magic Kids, The Warble, and Girls of the Gravitron
Murphys (1589 Madison Ave)
Friday, May 8, 2009
Know Your Rights: What to Do If You're Stopped by the Police
From the ACLU Website
To fight police abuse effectively you need to know your rights. There are some things you should do, some things you must do and some things you cannot do. If you are in the middle of a police encounter, you need a handy and quick reference to remind you what your rights and obligations are.
Print this page and carry it in your wallet, pocket, or glove compartment to give you quick access to your rights and obligations concerning police encounters.
Download a PDF here
or
Go to Site for more
More Cyclists Means Fewer Accidents, Says Report
by Peter Walker
York is safest place to ride your bike in Britain, while Calderdale, West Yorkshire is the most dangerous, research finds
A study of the most and least safe places to cycle in Britain, released today, shows that where there are more riders on the roads there is generally a lower accident rate, while in areas less popular for bikes, cycling can be notably more risky.
Contradicting the notion that a mass of inexperienced riders taking to the streets brings a spike in injuries and deaths, the research by the Cyclists Touring Club (CTC), the UK's main cycling organisation, rates local authority areas in England on a scale of A to E according to how safe they are.
The trend is clear, with areas popular for cyclists tending to be safer on average, with the differences sometimes significant. Top of the list is traditionally bike-friendly York, where around one in eight commuters cycle to work and 0.1% are badly hurt in accidents each year. Not far down the road, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, a district centred around Halifax, is at the other end of the scale. Here, fewer than 1 in 120 commuters use bikes, and those that do face a danger level 15 times higher than in York.
read more here
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Harassment
At 8:48 AM I was followed and then pulled over by Huntsville Police Car #1819 - Officer Bowles. I ask why are you pulling me over considering he tailed me for 6 blocks and I stopped at all the stop signs and obeyed the traffic laws. He said there have been a lot of burglaries by people on bikes. I said I find that hard to believe and this seemed to be more like harassment. I called Internal Affairs to complain @ 256 427 7012.
I see cops all over the place so it seems to me our little cult here will now be the target of much more police harassment. I know some people who live in constant fear and will welcome this type law and order. I for one see this place becoming more and more like a police state.
FYI: to pull someone over or stop them you need probable cause,which they can make up. So riding a bike is now a crime.
So now I have to worry about cops hassling me on my bike along with all the other shit.
If I drove a car this would not have happened!!!!
If you are pulled over call 256 427 7012 and file a complaint I did.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
MACAFRAMA
For those of you who haven't seen this trailer check it out! I just order the video so hopefully we can have a showing of it soon.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Platewire
Sometimes you gotta love technology!!!!!! This site post liscence plates of minivan maniacs and suv slobs all over the country. Guess what it is in Alabama too..... Check it out here....http://www.platewire.com/location/?Alabama I will create a permanent link on the right of the page.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Bikes allowed on all Shuttle buses
Less riding Meridian for Leela and I?
From: Brown, Tommy [mailto:Tommy.Brown@hsvcity.com]
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 7:10 AM
To: Marjorie Holderer
Cc: Moore, James; Garrett, Kim; Martin, Teresa
Subject: RE: Buses, racks, tri-folds
We have, or are going to order the racks for the existing back up buses. We have authorized the drivers to allow the bikes on the buses if no rack is available due to backup in use. Please let your group know this. Tommy
From: Marjorie Holderer [mailto:mjholderer@knology.net]
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 6:59 PM
To: Brown, Tommy
Cc: Moore, James
Subject: Buses, racks, tri-folds
Dear Tommy: At the last BASC meeting April 22nd, I took the action item to ask you about the buses with no bike racks on them.
From James, I understand those buses will NOT be outfitted for racks because new buses will be replacing some buses.
I understand that will hopefully happen this fall.
In the meantime we can expect at least one or two buses without racks will be frequently used for regular routes.
Is this correct?
We already have cyclists reporting the random use of bike rack less buses on regular routes pretty much finishes off their desire to use buses to augment their riding commutes. They don’t want to wait around at a bus stop only to find the bus has no rack. They could ‘be there’ by the time all that happens.
Bike month starts with you
How many of us "cyclists" are driving less this month and riding our bikes to work? Let others know what you are doing differently from last year.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Tale of Two Cities
Chattanooga To Add More Bicycle Road Facilities, Improve Enforcement
With 2,300 bicyclists in town for the 3 State, 3 Mountain Challenge, Chattanooga goes on the offensive to maintain it's bicycle friendly image. "We are interested in their safety and working to provide that," says Assistant Police Chief Mike Williams.
Discussions about what to do to improve conditions for area cyclists began shortly after the death of David Meek. "The biggest thing that I keep hearing from everyone is enforcing the 3 foot law. And a lot of people and a lot of officers weren't even aware that that law was in existence, but they are now," says Williams.
Officers have already received training bulletins about ordinances and laws concerning bicycles, something that's helped in other communities. "Not really any easy vehicle to teach the public about any new law, as it relates to traffic law, and its definitely an uphill battle to get the word out," says Keith Roth, of the Jeff Roth Bicycle Foundation.
Chattanooga's Mayor says the city will be doing more to promote bikes in the months to come. For example, signage and markings like these will be added to nearly a dozen roads. "We'll be seeing markings around Brainerd, and downtown, and East Brainerd Road, and Hixson and Lookout Valley and many other places," says Mayor Ron Littlefield.
And this summer, officers will institute a special enforcement with plain clothes officers on bikes. Williams says "if they do have someone that comes by and throws something out of the car at them or they swerve over and try to run the biker off the road they will be met with one of our officers," says Williams.
If these efforts prove successful, Chattanooga could move from bronze to silver standing as a bicycle friendly community.
Work on the following roads to add bicycle facilities will begin Monday:
Share the Road bike route on Centraol Ave. from the E 11st St. bike lanes to McCallie Ave.
Share the Road bike route on McCallie Ave. from Central Ave. to the Brainerd tunnel
Share the Road bike route on Brainerd Rd. from the Brainerd tunnel to Belvoir
Bike Lanes on Belvoir from Brainerd Rd. to North Terrace
Share the Road and sections of bike lanes on Brainered Rd. from Belvoir to Moore Rd.
Share the Road and sections of bike lanes on Riverfront Pkwy. from Carter St. to S. River St.
Bike Lanes on Igou Gap Rd. from Gunbarrel Rd. to Jenkins Rd.
Add Share the Road signs and sharrows to Ashland Terrance
Share the Road on Cummings Hwy. from Lilac Ave. to Brown's Ferry Rd.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Nashville May 3rd
One of the stated objectives of the New Belgium Urban Assault Ride is to promote bike smarts and street savvy.
"The goal of the ride is to show recreational and fitness riders that bikes are a great choice for transportation, too," event founder Josh Kravets said in a news release.
After reviewing some photos from last year's Seattle ride, I have my doubts. But let's give them the benefit of the doubt.
I suppose the bike savvy part comes in where teams of two navigate city streets, plotting their own routes to checkpoints around town. The checkpoints are where teams confront obstacles such as riding a big-wheel course, Bike Jousting, the Keg Walk and Inflatable Slides.
The first team to hit all the checkpoints and cross the finish line wins a pair of New Belgium Brewing cruiser bikes.
A solar generator powers the event, a bio-diesel truck delivers gear and nearly all waste is compostable or recyclable.
"This event gives us the chance to promote cycling for transportation and to show people some of the opportunities for sustainable living available in their community," Kravetz said. Sponsor New Belgium is known for being wind-powered, and also boasts of other conservation measures.
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