Nationwide, bus ridership has increased by 3% in 2008.
Discover Transportation Freedom! Don't miss out!
If you've missed the Discover Transportation Freedom events in your neighborhood, or if you are outside of the city boundaries and you want to participate (and want to have a chance to win $1700!), don't fret!
You can join us at any of our upcoming events, and we have two opportunities in the next two weeks.
Tenth transportation social and bike or bus ride -- Barracks Road Neighborhood
Date/Time: Friday, August 29, 6:00pm-8:00pm starting at Barracks Road Shopping Center
You can join us at any of our upcoming events, and we have two opportunities in the next two weeks.
Tenth transportation social and bike or bus ride -- Barracks Road Neighborhood
Date/Time: Friday, August 29, 6:00pm-8:00pm starting at Barracks Road Shopping Center
- Talk about transportation a bit at Barnes & Noble at Barracks Road Shopping Center
- Ride your bicycle or the bus from Barnes & Noble to UVA
- And you may win $1700!!!
Eleventh transportation social and bike ride -- Johnson Village Neighborhood
Date/Time: Thursday, September 4, 6:00pm-7:00pm starting at Johnson Elementary School
- Ride your bicycle from Johnson Elementary School to Forest Hills Park
- Eat & talk about transportation a bit at a picnic at Forest Hills Park
- And you may win $1700!!!
Please join us for one of these fun events and take your chances at winning $1700!! We will have similar events through the end of November -- keep updated by checking out our events calendar (on the sidebar and on the bottom of this webpage).
Thank you!!!
Zachary
Summer Streets a success in New York
Summer Streets a success in New York
For the last two weeks, NYC has experimented with an idea of making a major avenue in Manhattan car-free for no particular reason than for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. There were no streetfair vendors hawking $3 tube socks or blended drinks from noisy & polluting generators. Nor was there any excuse like the Marathon or a parade where only invited guests are allowed to run or walk down the middle of the streets.
http://local.theoildrum.com/node/4429
For the last two weeks, NYC has experimented with an idea of making a major avenue in Manhattan car-free for no particular reason than for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. There were no streetfair vendors hawking $3 tube socks or blended drinks from noisy & polluting generators. Nor was there any excuse like the Marathon or a parade where only invited guests are allowed to run or walk down the middle of the streets.
http://local.theoildrum.com/node/4429
Gas Prices Up, Bike Sales Up
The majority of retailers who responded to a Bikes Belong survey said their sales of transportation-related bicycles, accessories, and service have increased in 2008 compared to 2007:
* 73% said they are selling more bikes.
* 84% said they are selling more accessories.
* 88% said they are selling more service.
Is this increase in sales because of high gas prices? Most retailers who we surveyed think so:
* 95% of shops said customers cited high gas prices as a reason for their transportation-related purchases.
* 80% of retailers said gas prices were helping them sell more bikes for transportation.
* 86% thought accessory sales were getting a boost.
* 89% said they were selling more service because of high gas prices.
Cure Biker Block!
If You Have Biker's Block:
by LHT Rider
It is a sad commentary on the culture we live in that so many of us are afraid to exercise our right to use the public roads in a non-polluting manner. Believe me, I know how you feel. I went from not riding my bicycle for many, many years and have since become a 4-season rider in the northern midwest. Here are some things that have helped me make the transition.
1. Set small, achievable, progressive challenges for yourself. Baby steps are important. See for yourself what you’re truly capable of and question your assumptions. If you are willing to test your preconceived notions, you might be surprised at the results.
2. Allow yourself to do what you need to in order to feel more comfortable. For example if the road immediately adjacent to your house is too scary, allow yourself to ride on the sidewalk for a short distance until you can get somewhere safer. This is legal in many communities. Just remember to: be nice - yield to pedestrians, be careful crossing driveways especially if you do not have a clear line of sight, and do not under any circumstances shoot out into intersections from the sidewalk as car drivers do not expect you to be there.
2. Get a mirror & learn how to use it. It’s much less scary if you know what’s coming up behind you. While some people have no problem just turning around to see what’s behind them while still maintaining a razor sharp straight line, a mirror allows you to check things out more quickly and without the risk of weaving (into traffic, the curb, a pothole etc.)
3. Plan your route. On a bicycle you would almost never take the exact same route as you would in a car (because that’s where all the cars are!). Your city may have a map of official bicycle routes (maybe even online!). This can be extremely helpful and make for a much more pleasant ride.
4. Educate yourself. Read up on how to ride in traffic or refresh your memory on the rules of the road. Learn how to use your gears. A bicycle should give you a mechanical advantage over walking. It doesn’t have to be hard (or racing fast). In addition, as Heather @ SGF says, think about what you’re afraid of happening & figure out what you would do if it actually happened. There’s lots of good advice out there on everything from gear to how to change a tire. (By the way, riding a bicycle really does not require spandex or lycra).
5. Be sure your bicycle fits you. (This is getting easier, but can be difficult for many women.) Also make sure it works properly. There may be adjustments or changes in equipment that can make your ride much more comfortable and enjoyable. I have only recently come to appreciate what an amazing difference tires can make in the of your ride. Think about getting a basket or pannier so that your bicycle can haul more than just you!
6. Demand cycling (and pedestrian) improvements and safety in your community. The only way it will get easier/better for cyclists is if we stand up and say that this is something we care about and should be a priority for where we live.
by LHT Rider
It is a sad commentary on the culture we live in that so many of us are afraid to exercise our right to use the public roads in a non-polluting manner. Believe me, I know how you feel. I went from not riding my bicycle for many, many years and have since become a 4-season rider in the northern midwest. Here are some things that have helped me make the transition.
1. Set small, achievable, progressive challenges for yourself. Baby steps are important. See for yourself what you’re truly capable of and question your assumptions. If you are willing to test your preconceived notions, you might be surprised at the results.
2. Allow yourself to do what you need to in order to feel more comfortable. For example if the road immediately adjacent to your house is too scary, allow yourself to ride on the sidewalk for a short distance until you can get somewhere safer. This is legal in many communities. Just remember to: be nice - yield to pedestrians, be careful crossing driveways especially if you do not have a clear line of sight, and do not under any circumstances shoot out into intersections from the sidewalk as car drivers do not expect you to be there.
2. Get a mirror & learn how to use it. It’s much less scary if you know what’s coming up behind you. While some people have no problem just turning around to see what’s behind them while still maintaining a razor sharp straight line, a mirror allows you to check things out more quickly and without the risk of weaving (into traffic, the curb, a pothole etc.)
3. Plan your route. On a bicycle you would almost never take the exact same route as you would in a car (because that’s where all the cars are!). Your city may have a map of official bicycle routes (maybe even online!). This can be extremely helpful and make for a much more pleasant ride.
4. Educate yourself. Read up on how to ride in traffic or refresh your memory on the rules of the road. Learn how to use your gears. A bicycle should give you a mechanical advantage over walking. It doesn’t have to be hard (or racing fast). In addition, as Heather @ SGF says, think about what you’re afraid of happening & figure out what you would do if it actually happened. There’s lots of good advice out there on everything from gear to how to change a tire. (By the way, riding a bicycle really does not require spandex or lycra).
5. Be sure your bicycle fits you. (This is getting easier, but can be difficult for many women.) Also make sure it works properly. There may be adjustments or changes in equipment that can make your ride much more comfortable and enjoyable. I have only recently come to appreciate what an amazing difference tires can make in the of your ride. Think about getting a basket or pannier so that your bicycle can haul more than just you!
6. Demand cycling (and pedestrian) improvements and safety in your community. The only way it will get easier/better for cyclists is if we stand up and say that this is something we care about and should be a priority for where we live.
Goofy is: Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Walker
Goofy stars as a Jekyll and Hyde character, Mr. Walker/Mr. Wheeler. When he’s a pedestrian he’s mild-mannered and rational; when he’s a driver he’s mad and bad.
RideCivil is Born
In response to the recent Critical Mass bicycle ride violence in NYC and Seattle, BikeHugger has started "RideCivil."RideCivil promots civility between motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. We signal and stop, smile and wave, ride 2 abreast and yeild to pedestrians. We won't be corking or blocking traffic, just safely cycling our city.
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