The Cycling Dude

Street Hogs vs Self-Important Jerks in Toronto as Cyclists Union is Born

Recently cylists in Toronto, Canada, took their activism to the next level, and got organized in a very public way:

The Toronto Cyclists Union provides a strong, unified voice for Toronto cyclists.

We are a membership-based organization bringing together cyclists from all across Toronto. 

We will work together with citizens, community groups, bike shops and the City towards the common goals of ensuring that cycling is a legitimate, accessible, and safe means of transportation.

The city has an excellent bike plan, yet the pace at which it has been rolled out is unnacceptable. The chain fell off, and we sense a shift in gears. We want to help.

Safe streets
A healthy city
A vibrant voice

Vision, Purpose, and Mission

A few days ago Nathan Whitlock, a cyclist, and motorist, wrote a thought-provoking essay, for the Toronto Globe  and Mail, inspired in part by the birth of the Union, and out of concern for the need for all sides to get along.

His piece is a powerful plea to both motorists, and cyclists, to share the road, and do what is required to modify destructive behaviors so eveyone can safely get to where they want to go, and ride where they want to ride.

His piece is written in the form of a dialog between driver, and cyclist, and here is how each section begins:

Dear driver:

As you well know, the relationship between bikes and cars in Toronto this summer has not been a happy one. Thus, as we head into fall - a time of new beginnings - I am offering up some etiquette tips for you and your fellow drivers. After all, given how much gas costs, you may find more and more of us cyclists out there on your morning and afternoon drives. The hope is that, by making a few things clear and by setting out some very simple guidelines, we might find a way to peacefully share the road.

...And already I see have introduced a term that may be somewhat alien to you: "share." How about we make that our first point?

Dear cyclist:

Thank you for your suggestions. I especially appreciate that you were able to deliver them without banging your fist on the hood of my car, ringing your bell incessantly, or loudly suggesting that I "learn how to drive!" You must be in a good mood - did the police finally find your old bike in one of Igor Kenk's garages?

In the same spirit of helpfulness, I will offer my own etiquette suggestions for you, with a similar hope that peace will reign on our mutual commute. And I'll begin where you did, with sharing.

For my part, there are 3 things that stand out in this piece:

1. Some bikers are like children, who want rights without responsibilities, freedom without restrictions. A stop sign is a stop sign is a stop sign, and the rules of the road apply to you every bit as to me. Earn your place on the road.

2. We ask you, ever so humbly, to accept our legitimacy, to not treat bikers like intruders upon your sacred stretch of pavement. 

3. Political change is rarely brought about by screaming righteously at some frightened commuter from Etobicoke in his Honda Civic.

As noted in the final line...

If motorists, and cyclists, can declare a general ceasefire, learn to get along, and sing a happy song in harmony, we can then better focus our energies on our shared enemy, "the real villains of the road": Pedestrians!

Um, hee, hee! ;-D

You can read the full dialog, here: People, people, can't we all just get along?

Condoms and Bicycling: Good Bedfellows?

During the Olympics a Chinese condom company called Elasun got into the spirit with an ad campaign that made condoms into cute little references to Olympic sports.

Pictured, Bicycle-F******. ;-D

Hamilton Nolan, of Gawker, has three more sport-F****** spots.  ;-D

National Journal Reports on Influence Pedaling at Dem Convention

On Sunday the influential political magazine/website National Journal had a lengthy advance report on the goings on in denver this week.

The best part of the report, for bicyclists anyway, was buried halfway into the piece, by reporter Randy Barrett:

Can't find a taxi? No worries. The convention host committee and Humana have partnered with Bikes Belong, a nonprofit bicycling-advocacy group, to bring 1,000 bikes to Denver this week.

At no cost, delegates, locals, and other convention-goers can check out a bicycle at one of seven bike kiosks in and around the downtown area starting on Monday. Helmets and water will also be available.

Anyone who registers online at freewheelinwaytogo.com  or at one of the kiosks can pick up a bike beginning at 7 a.m., and return it to a station by 10 p.m. the same day. The stations are easily identifiable by their blue tents with the letter "F" for "freewheelin" on top.

The largest supply of bikes (275) is on 14th Street, between Wynkoop and Wewatta, just off the Pepsi Center site near the Invesco Field light-rail station. Another station is at the Denver Art Museum, and one is across the street from the convention center, where many delegation events will take place.

Anyone really, truly, interested in the REST of the report can find it here. ;-D

The Cycling Geek

With humble apologies to the incomparable Ray Stevens, and his fabulous song, The Streak (Watch the Video!):

THE CYCLING GEEK

REPORTER:

Hello everybody, this is your Fox News correspondent
We report, and you decide, on the news across the nation.
I'm on the scene at the Arco AMPM Service Station
There seems to have been some disturbance here.
Pardon me, sir, did you see what just happened?

WITNESS:

Yeh, I did...I was standing over there filling up my gas tank
And here he comes
Through the parking lot, into the bike lane, and around the corner
Faster than a Roadrunner!
And I hollered over at Ethel...I said watch out Ethel!
It was too late, she'd already been startled...

CHORUS:

Here he comes, boogie-dad, boogie-dad
There he goes, boogie-dad, boogie-dad
And he's wearing strange clothes!

Oh, yes, they call him the Cycling Geek
Fastest thing moving two feet
He's just as proud as he can be
Of his hybrid bicycle
He loves to give motorists a tweak.

Oh, yes, they call him the Cycling Geek
He likes to show off his physique
If there are cars to be found
One Hundred riders just like him will be streakin' around
Invitin' public critique...

REPORTER:

This is your Fox News correspondent once again
And we're here at the major intersection.
Pardon me, sir, did you see what just happened?

WITNESS:

Yeh, I did...I was next to my car checking the tires
And he just appeared in the middle of traffic
Come streaking into the left turn lane, there, and through the intersection
Didn't do nothing but use hand signals, and flash a great big smile.
I looked over there where Ethel was sippin' her cool drink and I hollered...Hey, look, Ethel!
It was great! She'd already seen the poltroon
Flashed a middle finger at him in front of God and everybody!

CHORUS:

He ain't rude to motorists, boogie-dad, boogie-dad
He ain't stuck in rush hour traffic, boogie-dad, boogie-dad
He just loves to ride his bicycle because it's fantastic.

Oh, yes, they call him the Cycling Geek
He loves the feel of a saddle under his butt cheek
Wearin' his colorful jersey, and expensive riding shoes
Guess you could call him a freak...

REPORTER:

Once again, your Fox News correspondent on the mountain highway
Covering the disturbance on the side of the road.
Pardon me, sir, did you see what just happened?

WITNESS:

Yeh, I did...just in time. I was standing at the side of the road
Looking out over the canyon with Ethel
Here he come right down the winding road, likety-split
Keeping to the side of the narrow street
Watching for passing traffic
Heading straight toward us.
I hollered over at Ethel, I said look out Ethel!
It was too late...She'd already moved, having seen what I had not.
The guy was on a three-seater, with a friend, and an empty middle spot.

Here they come again...look...who's that with them?
Ethel? What the hell's the matter with you, Ethel?
What do you think you are doing?
You get your ass off that damn contraption!

Ethel, where are you going?
Ethel, you traitor!
Leave me the damn keys, Ethel!
ETHEL!!!!

Copyright 2008 by Kiril Kundurazieff

The Diversity of American BikeBlogs: 50 States, 2 Blogs Each

100 km is Jason Gilman's bike blog.  He started it in the Fall of 2007 as a way to document his personal cycling renaissance, after 7 years out of the saddle, and connect with other bike enthusiasts in is little corner of Washington state.

Yesterday he did the Cycling Community, and the cause of American BikeBlogging, a great service:

A couple weeks back I started a little project of finding two blogs for every state in the Union. For most states that was relatively easy, especially because there is a definite blog clustering effect within various biking communities. Once one cyclist starts a blog it's common for at least a few more of their cycling friends and acquaintances to start bike blogs of their own.

As he writes, He didn't have a completely set criteria for who he chose beyond only two per state, but he favored those of us that update regularly.

I like his mix of the famous [ Me? Canonical? ;-D ] BikeBlogs, with a bunch of others that are lesser known.

I also like his good mix of "mountain bikers, bike commuters, hipsters, advocates, roadies and randos"

There are many here that I have never heard of before.

As he writes:

The cycling diversity that I found throughout the country was downright American and reinforced what a powerful and unlimited tool for fun, utility and community the bicycle is.

As possibly the earliest American Bikeblog (Jan. 2003), and being beat to the punch only by a British Blog, by a mere 1 month, I am extremely honored that I was chosen to help represent California.

And yes, as one who has devoted some effort to putting together the most comprehensive list of resources found in the sidebar of any BikeBlog this probably DID "take a bit of work."

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! ;-D

A link to the List, and a link to his Blog, will be added to my list of BikeBlogs.

Without further ado... 50 States - 100 Bike Blogs

Eureka! Letter to Editor Makes a Brilliant Suggestion

Susan McGee, of Eureka Ca., recently wrote a letter to the editor on a very important cycling issue.

Titled "Bicycle riders need to wear helmets" it makes several points:

Many people in Humboldt County are riding their bicycles for fun, exercise and transportation, but I wince whenever I see a bicyclist without a helmet. I’m concerned that so many of the children riding our roads are not wearing bicycle helmets...

brain injury is the most common for bike riders who are not wearing a helmet. Traumatic brain injuries result in lifelong impairments in one or more areas: cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psycho-social behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech...

Too often, people may wear bike helmets on long trips, but not close to home. Yet, more than 60 percent of childhood bicycle-related fatalities occur on neighborhood roads, and the typical bike crash occurs within a mile of home...

Riding without a helmet significantly increases the risk of sustaining a head injury. Non-helmeted riders are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than helmeted riders.

Children 10 to 14 are at greater risk for brain injury from a bicycle-related crash than younger children, most likely because helmet use declines as children age. Helmet use by children of all ages is lowest among children ages 11 to 14 (11 percent).

Quoted from the August 15, 2008 Eureka Reporter Online.

In my sidebar, under the heading of BICYCLE HELMETS: Information to help you decide, are 5 very important website links related to this issue. 

Many Motorists are Conflicted About Cyclists and Confused, or Ignorant, About Our Rights.

Last month I wrote about "A Very Disturbing Critical Mass Story out of Seattle."

Yesterday a comment was made in response to my post that I want to bring more attention to than appearing in the Comments would get it.

I'm glad to hear your comments about critical mass and the socialist psychos that belong to that organization.

Personally I'm one of those drivers that somewhat hates bikers... 

I think they should have their own damn lane painted on the road so they stay out of the way of traffic and vice versa.

That being said I try to stay completely out of the way of bikers and give them a wide birth when passing. 

The one thing I hate, though, is bikers who want the same rights as other motorists, but do not obey traffic laws.

Someday I might hit one of these reckless assholes, and I'll gladly throw it in reverse to check to see if they're okay.

Gyrfalcon

Setting aside the nitpicking about wether CM is an Organization, an Unorganized Movement, or a combination thereof, and how many people involved in the practice are true Socialists, or just ordinary Libs and Greenies, or Conservatives out for a fun ride with the family, much less how many might be Psycho, this comment is a perfect illustration of the many angry, confused, and ignorant motorists on the road today, and their thoughts about bicyclists.

My thoughts?

Bike Lanes too often give a false sense of safety to both Motorists, and Cyclists, and when you combine that with bad placement by Government (Such as on the Driver Side of where cars are allowed to park.)...

Safe driving habits by Motorists combined with a better understanding of the right of Cyclists to share the road will make for a better experience for all.

Safe riding habits by Bicyclists through a better understanding of how to share the road will make for a better experience for all.

There are many resources in my sidebar related to Safe Cycling, Cycling Laws, and more.

Not sure about that last line of his, though...

I appreciate his concern for the Cyclist, but, um, throwing the car in reverse, without being sure the Cyclist he just flattened might still be in his path...

Anyone else care to comment on what Gyrfalcon wrote?

Take a deep breath, remain calm, and watch yer language. ;-D

FreecreditReport Songster a Bicyclist?

The brand new FreeCreditReport.com "Bicycle" Commercial is out!

These things are just so creative, interesting, and funny, and the quality never lets up.

This one is particularly fun because our hero is peddling his product while pedaling a bicycle. ;-D

Check it out
Gas prices blowing up sky high
ditched my use subcompact for a two wheel ride
now I'm rolling Eco-friendly
but I still look bad
when the bike store saw my credit
they said this was all they had

Just because I am not interested in some product doesn't mean I can't be entertainied by the advertising campaign. ;-D

The Pipeline Pirate Prepares for his Grand Adventure

Back in June I told you about my friend Steve Kennedy, and his plans for an around the world adventure...one that is part hiking, and part bicycling.

In the month after that post Steve spent time updating his blog with stories, and photo spreads, about how he prepared with hikes and rides over the previous few weeks.

In early May he spent the day riding his bike, named Renee, along the coast, from Huntington Beach to Long Beach, and back, and shares some really cool pictures of the trip, and of Renee, as well as himself.

In early June he learned that there were some changes in his itenerary, due to the issues in Tibet, and the Earthquake in China, and worried about getting his bike to Prague when the time for it arrived, and wrote an amusing little post about who the real pickpockets are, that a traveller needs to be concerned about, when travelling overseas. ;-D

Meanwhile he was selling his belongs in preperation for the fact that he was not gonna see Terra-America for quite some time. ;-D

14 days from launch, near disaster strikes on a 30 miles bike ride around Newport Beach and Irvine ( Above photo is at the Back Bay, in Newport Beach).

To underscore that fact that he's a hearty adventurer, with years experience, he shares a collection beautiful photoes from a mountain climb some 34 years ago.

After selling his beloved Gas Guzzler, Ingrid, and the rest of his belongings, he's sleeping  on the floor with days to go before launch. ;-D

On July 17, 2008, the Grand Adventure finally began, bruised leg, and all, with a 15 hour flight to Hong Kong (See the pics!)! ;-D

I will be checking in with Steve's blog, from time to time, to enjoy his adventure, and I hope you will, too.

The Freeway Soul is out and about, and it will be an interesting journey.

Is Your Bike Frame A Hazard to Your Health?

I can hear you now... "What the ?"

That's what I thought, too.

The story is an interesting one:

Though you cannot see them, you may be touching them or even wearing them right now. Products made using nanoparticles are already part of our lives...

Nanotechnology -- the science of reducing materials to tiny sizes with new properties -- already has been used in more than 600 products in the U.S. market...

Carbon nanotubes are used to make bike frames lighter and sturdier, according to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, an initiative of the Woodrow Wilson International Center and The Pew Charitable Trusts.

While experts said there is no example of a product made using nanotechnology harming anyone, there appear to be issues of proper oversight.

Read the full story at Market Watch.