Monday, January 30, 2012

Building better bike lanes.

Reno has been building bike lanes around town at an impressive rate over the last few years.  I believe this is a good thing for a city like Reno.  Traffic has continued to increase as our population grows and having an alternative, dedicated (non-car) infrastructure provides a way to get some of us out of cars.... thinning out traffic for those who still want to drive.

The current expansion of bike lanes does get more people out riding bicycles.  Sort of a build it and they will come mentality.  However, the bike lane design currently used still puts riders in a fairly vulnerable position adjacent to traffic.  This means that some people who might ride are still intimidated on certain sections of road and therefor may chose not to ride as much as they'd like to.

This video clip put together by the city of Portland, Oregon shows what the future of bike lanes might look like.....bike lanes 2.0 if you will.


On the Right Track from Mayor Sam Adams on Vimeo.

Weekend wanderings.

Sunshine, temperatures in the 50's, and Craft bottle shop celebrating a one year anniversary.  Sounds like a good excuse for a bike ride!  So Sunday afternoon was spent with a leisurely ride down to Craft to enjoy time with friends, some premium home brew from Jeff Currant, and the goat parking.  Yep, goat parking.

You're not the only one who is confused.  It's a bike blog and we're talking about goat parking?  When we arrived there was a clearly marked sign being hung on a pole by Ty (owner of Craft) that said "Goat Prkn".... and below on the sidewalk was a nice 6ft by 4 ft carpet.  We often lock our bikes up to this pole so I thought maybe this was some strange reference that a younger, hipper cyclist might recognize.  I decided not to risk an misinterpretation and locked up the bikes along some adjacent sidewalk.


We were joined shortly afterwards by several other sweat rides including this beauty.


For long time readers of this blog (all 5 months of it) you might be interested to know that this is the leisure suit preachers newest ride.  Perhaps on a future biking to bars ride he will read from the good book (the cyclist manifesto) while being chauffeured through town!

However, back to the parking situation.  Turns out goat parking is exactly what you think it is.... it's where you tie up and park your goats while popping in to the local bottle shop!


These guys are feinting goats and were definitely the stars of the afternoon (well really that was Jeff Currant's beer).  But once you have a beer in hand, how can you resist heading outside to pet some goats!  They were popular enough that chairs were brought out and a crowd formed around the goat parking for the better part of the afternoon.

Unfortunately, as we were gearing up for the ride home later that evening, animal control paid the goat parking lot a visit.  Apparently, this parking arrangement isn't in line with city ordinances.  I for one am more than willing to share the parking pole with the goats!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Reno Bike Project now offering memberships!

.....Taken from the Reno Bike Project page. 

 

 RBP Membership Program


Interested in taking your involvement with the Reno Bike Project one step further? Consider becoming an annual member!  Like many other non-profits our success is directly linked to the involvement of our volunteers and community support. We are proud to have an active and thriving volunteer program, but there are other ways you can show the love to RBP. We have several tiers of membership you can choose from.

Pedaler Member $25

The first tier of membership includes a membership packet, which contains RBP stickers, a button, our informational pamphlet, a RBP water bottle and a membership card.  It will also subscribe you to the newsletter so you can stay informed on events and all things RBP related.

Commuter Member $100

The Commuter Membership tier includes all the benefits of the previous tier as well as and 10 hours of free shop time per year. It is also renewable at half price with 20 volunteer hours in the shop or at events.

The Randonneur Membership $250

The Randonneur Membership includes all the benefits of the previous two tiers as well as a RBP t-shirt and 10% off regularly stocked new and used items in the shop. You will also have access to 20 hours of free shop time per year and the Randonneur Membership is also renewable at half price with 40 volunteer hours in the shop or at events.

 Lifetime Member $2,500

As a RBP Lifetime Member you will receive all the benefits as the other membership holders as well as free entry into all RBP events, a personalized head badge displayed in the shop and a free professional tune up every year for life (excluding parts).

Cities for Cycling....modern bicycle design....there's a guide for that.

If your interested in what the NACTO guide is there's a link at the top of the blog.

Custom Bike Rack.


I'm guessing this isn't a rack that's available as a standard model from Yakima or Thule!  If you're going to go to the trouble (e.g. you want to show it off), why not build a roof mounted version.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Bike Path construction update.

Last week (or earlier this week...can't remember) I posted on a closure of path at Broadhead park.  I did reach Jeff Mann of the Parks department and he told me it would be intermittent.  Turns out this was true as the closure had been moved off the trail on my ride home.

Yesterday, however, it was back and there was actually work being done!



I am actually impressed that they have signs specifically for this, including a bike/pedestrian detour sign. 

Unfortunately, if you follow the signs you'll be heading south indefinitely, as the signs on either side of the project are the only two signs present.  I get it, you just detour around a single city block and you're back on the trail.  It does beg for the question:  What if you did this type of detour to auto traffic (e.g. no signs)....I bet you'd have some pretty annoyed drivers!  Or what if someone unfamiliar with the trail and roads encountered this?  It just seems like another prime example of second class treatment when you're not automobile traffic.

Ok, so enough gripes on detours.  The path was already patched up by this morning.  They have cut some of the asphalt and laid new asphalt in it's place along one edge of the path.  The new asphalt seemed a little less than quality work (I could see holes here and there), but we'll see how it turns out once the completely wrap up.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

BPAC Meeting Tonight!



The Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm in the RTC Planning Conference Room, 600 Sutro Street, Reno.

Next meeting:  Wednesday, January 25, 2012          
                              

Item 1  Approval of Agenda (for possible action)
Item 2  Approval of Joint November-December 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes (for possible action)
Item 3  Public Comment
Item 4  Web Awareness/Communication (for possible action)
Item 5  Update on Projects (for possible action)
  • Christina Leach - 4th Street Corridor Study
  • Michele Dennis - Plumb Lane Improvements
  • Roger Hanson - New Bus Routes
  • Sun Valley ImprovementsWashoe County (Patrice)
Item 6  Establish a Law Enforcement Sub-committee (for possible action)
Item 7  BPAC Map (for possible action)
Item 8  Update Project Lists (for possible action)
Item 9  Member Items
Item 10  RTC Staff Items
Item 11  Public Comment
Item 12  Agenda Items for February 22, 2012 BPAC Meeting
Item 13  Adjournment (For possible action)

Pop rocks!

Nope.  Not that kind.  Rather this kind (see below).  Note the small rocks perfect position at the edge of the bike lane (in this case on Mill St.).  Now don't get me wrong.  These don't pop your tire, rather if you hit them just right with the edge of a moderately well inflated front wheel, they will shoot (pop) out the side.  Sometimes they really go and shoot out into the vehicle lane. 




If your timing is just so, you might even get a satisfying ping as the pop rock connects with a vehicle that is a bit to close to the bike lane.  I'm not encouraging you to use pop rocks as convenient projectiles to tame vehicle traffic.  However, it is very likely that a vehicle had a role in depositing the pop rock in the bike lane (along with other detritus).  Really, all we're doing is returning said material to the location it originated from.

It is a rather fun riding game.  See if you too can master the pop rock!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Complete Streets a Reno overview.

This presentation is courtesy of Michael Moreno and RTC staff via our last Regional Transportation Committee meeting.  In my option, RTC has the right mindset on making our community more livable.  While complete streets is just one aspect of this, I've been impressed with the depth of the thought process our regional planners, advisory staff, and traffic engineers (yup, these guys are even on board) are going through in evaluating and improve our infrastructure for all modes of transportation.  It's a slow process to get through all the planning and get these types of designs implemented, but the RTC is turning the corner and we're seeing the results all around town!




LOS = Level of Service (meaning how many cars it handles in a "reasonable" time.




ADT = average daily trips (I think).

p.s.  I know some these have small fonts and are hard to read.  The maps are just not up to snuff even in my "original" copy.  I will send you the whole report if you leave a comment with your email but they're still hard to read.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting!

The Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm in the RTC Planning Conference Room, 600 Sutro Street, Reno.

Next meeting: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
                              


Item 1  Approval of Agenda (for possible action)
Item 2  Approval of Joint November-December 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes (for possible action)
Item 3  Public Comment
Item 4  Web Awareness/Communication (for possible action)
Item 5  Update on Projects (for possible action)
  • Christina Leach - 4th Street Corridor Study
  • Michele Dennis - Plumb Lane Improvements
  • Roger Hanson - New Bus Routes
  • Sun Valley ImprovementsWashoe County (Patrice)
Item 6  Establish a Law Enforcement Sub-committee (for possible action)
Item 7  BPAC Map (for possible action)
Item 8  Update Project Lists (for possible action)
Item 9  Member Items
Item 10  RTC Staff Items
Item 11  Public Comment
Item 12  Agenda Items for February 22, 2012 BPAC Meeting
Item 13  Adjournment (For possible action)

An ode to fenders!

There are people in this world who do not appreciate fenders on a bicycle.  They say they make a bike look dorky, clunky, and complain of the weight they add.  I heartily disagree and today I am far drier because of these marvels.


So without further ado....

Fenders are flashy and curved just right.  Fenders protect from the slush that arrives in the night.  Fenders you say slow me down, take away.  At least my rear end is quite dry today.

The streets in my neighborhood this morning.


Fenders in action!


Ok, so I might not be publishing as a poet any time soon.  But all the weight weenies and guys who think fenders aren't necessary in Nevada have a rear end that looks like a giant skid mark this morning.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Reno Bike Project - an underutilized resource!

The Reno Bike Project put together a nice little video to (re)introduce themselves to the community.  Have a look and then get down there and check them out!

Friday, January 20, 2012

City of Reno....an alternative to the bulldozer!

One of the agenda items at Wednesday's City Council meeting was basically whether or not to bulldoze the "illegal" bmx park here in Reno.  The city staff actually made this recommendation in writing to our council members to protect the city from liability.  See the link here if you want to read the report.... http://reno.gov/agendas/citycouncil/2012/01/staffreportlinksjan18reg.pdf.

Fortunately, city council members have some memory of childhood days and they have at least chosen to continue investigate alternate options.

I for one grew up on neighborhood bike "tracks" and trails.  In fact kids built them on every vacant lot in the local burbs.  They provided hours of uncorrupted fun for us.  Meaning I wasn't out buying meth or holed up in front of the tv playing video games and gaining weight.  If you don't buy my arguments that this type of thing is good for kids.....check out the latest video via Bikeportland.org.


Taken from Bikeportland, published by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on January 19th, 2012

Thursday, January 19, 2012

More meeting information (if you want to get involved).

Here's the latest on the Mill and Terminal traffic study corridor. 



Please attend if you can.  A strong showing from the cycling community lets our local leaders know that this type of project is important!

Bike path closure at Broadhead Park.

If your commuting on the river path, there was an unannounced closure this morning.




This is really getting to be a bit of a pet peeve with me.  This is basically our highway if you commute between Reno and Sparks each morning.  Can you imagine if the I-80 construction was set up this way.  No warning, no detour, no alternate route posted.  I'm gonna guess any construction project operating in this manor on even a minor road used by automobiles would cause serious consternation (to put it mildly). 

Yet, when it's the bike path, a couple cones and please turn around and retrace your steps until you can find an alternate route yourself is just fine.  A double standard if the powers that be really consider a bicycle a valid method of transportation.  (I realize this is a dubious statement at best.)

Anyway, this is your heads up on the closure.  For the record, you are viewing the entire closure....yep, about 10-12 feet.  I used my advance cycling skills to ride through the construction site (sarcasm intended).  You should evaluate your own skills prior to such a crossing!  Based on the markings, I have a notion that they may be excavating across the trail soon.  So, be aware that this may turn into a real detour.  I'll make some calls and see if I can find out what's up.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A reminder we can all use!


The Holstee Manifesto Lifecycle Video from Holstee on Vimeo.

Perilous Patches.

Nope, not the kind you create after riding through a field of goats heads.  Rather the slick little patch of ice left over from the weekends snow.  If your riding early in the day those last little remnants of snow and ice are still out there.  You know they are, hiding in the shadow of a building or where that nice tall oak shades the road. 





You're not thinking about them this morning because it's 42 degrees today and you're riding in your springtime gear!  In fact the sudden warm up in morning temperatures probably even has you out gunning through some turns since the bite of the weather isn't so cold.  All of a sudden as you lean into that turn, it's there....a patch of melting ice the size of a pizza.  Your Lance Amstrong inspired cornering turns into a power slide that a Japanese drifting fan would be proud of.  You might just be good enough to recover....or you might be enjoying some early season raspberry.

So remember to watch for the icy patches!  And enjoy the warm weather commute!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Pedestrian safety forum....Feb. 6th from 5-7 pm.....mark that calendar!

From the RGJ:


blog post photoCondensed from a press release:

The University of Nevada, Reno will host a Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Forum for both the campus community and the community at-large 5-7 p.m., Feb. 6, in Lawlor Events Center’s Silver and Blue Room. The public forum will allow for discussion of laws, problem areas and what local agencies are doing to promote safety on the University campus and its surrounding community. Public concerns, suggestions and input will be encouraged.

In addition to University Police and a number of University departments, other agencies involved with the forum are the City of Reno Neighborhood Advisory Boards, Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Highway Patrol, Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), Reno Police Department and others. Wendy Damonte, KTVN Channel 2 news anchor, will moderate the forum.

Agencies represented will briefly present information on their safety efforts during the past year, current projects and future plans. The RTC will present plans for area streets and additional crosswalks. Troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol will discuss their concentrated enforcement efforts on pedestrian and crosswalk violations over the next several weeks. The University Police Department will share its partnership with the 11- to 17-year-old gifted students at the Davidson Academy, located on campus, to improve pedestrian safety around campus. The motto of this program, created by the Davidson students is, “Look Up, Unplug, Stay Safe.”

There will be informational displays and handouts, and agency representatives will be on hand to answer questions. Public parking will be available on the top two floors of the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex on North Virginia Street.

Bridge repair.


So all you river path users know that just past Champion Park, the river path crosses to the North side of the river via a pretty nice pedestrian bridge.   The deck of the bridge is made out of some type of rough cut lumber and has always been a bit on the bumpy side, but no big deal.









Well, last week someone (the parks department?), put some plywood patches on a few sections.  I'm not really sure why.  I don't think we were in any danger of punching through and dropping to our deaths in the raging river below. 

The patches themselves are made out of 1/4 plywood and have nice 45 degree cuts on the sides (presumably to reduce the bump) and they seem to be secured well enough.  I'm just not sure they really make a difference.

I'm guessing the bump to go up and over the patch is about the same as the bump they cover.  And the rest of the rough cut lumber is still it's normal bumpy self.  So I'll call it maintenance and say the parks department is looking out for our well being.  I think I'd rather they spent the $$$ on a bum patrol once a week in the summer!

Downtown documentation.

Last week I posted an video showing the innovative "green phase" pedestrian crossings in the Netherlands.  It's not unheard of in the US either, but I was pleasantly surprised that Reno even has a intersection with this design (Virginia St. and W. 2nd Ave.).  Here's the proof!


Also note, that even in tough times Reno is reinvesting in and revitalizing the pedestrian infrastructure.  The sidewalks on W. 2nd are being upgraded to a nice patterned walkway from the previous narrow bland concrete sidewalk!  Every once in a while I really thing Reno just might be on to something!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Busy bike lanes....battling (bike) traffic on the morning commute!

Even us cyclists have to fight traffic during the morning commute. 


Really, it was completely ridiculous....I even had to queue up in line behind this guy at the stop light at Arlington and 1st.  I'm just not used to this level of congestion on my winter commuting days.  I mean really, what is this Portland?  I guess I'll have to come to terms with my belief that the city of Reno and RTC are building these lanes just for me! 

Ha, just kidding.  It was nice to see another winter commuter. 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

RTC Reno....on the right path.

I know you hear me say that the RTC is actually a pretty good organization a lot.  I thought it might drive the point home to see what they picked up on at a recent public outreach meeting.





Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Not so different from the Dutch....or Criss,Cross, Crash!?

I had the pleasure of a trip to the Netherlands just last year, so I've had the fortune of observing a few of these intersections first hand (including this one).  As the video shows....it's a little intimidating the first time you see it!  There are also a few frames of some similar treatments in LA (designed with Pedestrians in mind), but wait....I believe we even have this progressive treatment in Reno! 

I can't remember for sure but I believe the intersection of Virginia St. and 2nd St. is structured this way!?  I'm going to have to check it out on the ride home to verify.

The rack chronicles.

I guess I took these pics a while back and never updated the rack locations section of the blog.  These are pretty obvious and get plenty of use during the Artown series.  The do really well as overflow parking for the rest of downtown if you don't mind walking a couple blocks.

Located on Wingfield island at the amphitheater.  Typical squiggle rack.  Probably get 6-8 bikes on each one (although I've seen more during summer Artown events).  They are cemented into the ground so security is not an issue.  Close to the park so security is a-ok for Artown...A little remote if your perusing downtown.  There are quite a few local homeless in the area.


Also located on Wingfield island at the amphitheater. Unique swing out design makes these really unobtrusive.  Two bikes on each one (room for 18 total).  They are cemented into the wall so security is pretty good. The steel is fairly light weight but overall they're an neat design.  Same as above on the security issue.  These get a plus for creative design!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Mountain Biking in January.

Normally a post with this name would be macho over the top pictures of idiots trying to mountain bike in 3ft (or much more) of snow.  Or perhaps it's a trick post about a nice trip to red rock country down in southern Utah.... 

Nope. 



This year none of that is necessary.  If you want to experience the mountains this year, it looks like you'd better put on your trail running shoes or grab your bike.  A quick morning ride on Peavine Mountain revealed only the slightest traces of frost on some shaded north facing slopes. 


The trails were in really good shape despite the lack of any moisture for the last month and a half.  Even the banked corners are holding up....especially since the trail builders have adopted some more advanced techniques as of late (note the log backed banking).


The trail feels a little bleak with all the dry grass hanging around without a trace of snow this time of year.  I tried to tempt the snow gods with the next photo...if you haven't been here.....the bench my bike is leaning against is made out of an old snowboard.  Come on snow gods, get angry.



A final view from above the Poeville Reservoir (well that's what I call it).  Nothing but dry grass and wide open trails as far as the eye can see. 

 
So, if you're one of those guys (or gals) who hang up your bike after the "season" ends.  Dust off your gear and head for the nearest trail head.  For at least the next 5-7 days the forecast is dry and mild.

Get involved...or the meeting list for January.

Ok, so you've decided that Reno is changing (albeit slowly) for the better!  Here's some options to get involved.

First up, the Regional Transportation Plan (Citizen's working group).  Come hear the big picture ideas that are being sculpted into the 2035 plan.  We'll also be reviewing the input from last months public outreach, so if you want to know if your opinions were heard, stop by!




January 12th at 5:30 pm
Topic:
2035 RTP CWG Meeting

Location:
RTC Board Room, 2050 Villanova Drive, Reno. Served by RTC RIDE Route 19.


 Next up, the BPAC (Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee).  Come hear what's going on specifically for bicycles in Reno.




January 25th at 6:30 pm
BPAC MEETING
Topic:
Agenda & Support Materials
 
Location:
RTC Planning Conference Room, 600 Sutro Street, Reno.  Served by RTC RIDE Routes 5 & 15.



Next up, the Mill and Terminal corridor study group will have a public meeting on January 26th.  I'll let you know when I find out the actual location and time.





Path to Success....Reno's standing.

Last week I posted a list of 50 things that Mia Birk (largely responsible for Portland's bikability) put forth in her Book, Joyride.  Here's the list of the items I think Reno (and / or RTC) is making the grade on.  My comments on each item in italics.

Oh, and for those of you keeping track.  I'm saying we have had some success on 19 of the 50 items in Mia's list.  Not bad as a start....however, 19/50 on a test gives you a 38%.  That's an F on a flat grading scale any way you slice it.  However, if you're grading on a curve this might just be a passing grade.

I'd argue that when evaluating bicycle infrastructure in the U.S. you pretty much have to grade on a curve or we (the students) might lose faith in the cause.  So think of this as 38% better than we were even a few years ago.  Take the improvements and run with them.  If you like the improvements, get involved and help us push for even more.  And remember to enjoy the ride!



1. Look beyond the bike: bicycle transportation succeeds best when combined with investments in compact development, transit, and walking. Engage in and support various efforts to help shape your sustainable community.

Ok, this one is tough....but I think Reno has it's heart in the right place.  There are condos downtown that stalled but they are trying to get people back downtown.  The river front and "central" downtown are definitely improved for walking and plans are in the works for Virginia st.  Bus transit is improving (the rapid on Virginia St.) and bike access on buses is pretty good.

3. Develop and adopt a robust, visionary, comprehensive bicycle transportation plan. Use the planning process to engage your community in a deep conversation about the future of transportation.

Check...thanks to our BPAC Committee!

4. Develop a network of bikeways that is connected, comprehensive, and gets people from where they are to where they want to go. It should be a combination of off-street paths, on-road separated bikeways, and low-stress neighborhood greenways and must appeal to a wide variety of ages, cycling skill levels, and trip purposes.

Well, we are at least building bike lanes.

7. Start with the low-hanging fruit: easy-to-implement projects.

The road diets and bike lanes are exactly this...let's see if we can keep the ball rolling.

10. Adopt “Complete Streets” policies and/or legislation, then execute! Unenforced policies and plans that sit on shelves gathering dust are worthless.

The Mill and Terminal and the 4th and Prater Way studies are working towards this goal.

11. Backlash is normal. Expect it, prepare for it, but don’t back down. Changing built infrastructure and deeply ingrained habits is really hard stuff.

We've seen this on the Mayberry bike lanes and on California Ave.  So far so good.

28. See the bicycle as a tool for empowerment and social change, not just sport or transportation.

Ok, I might be jumping the gun on this one.  There are people in Reno / RTC who have this vision though.

29. Foster community groups to recycle and reuse bikes for the good of underprivileged youth.

I don't know if Reno is fostering them...but we have the Reno Bike Project.  If you haven't checked them out, head down. They are a nice group of people.

30. Don’t let weather challenges dissuade you from creating bicycle friendly infrastructure.

It's Reno, our weather is pretty much made for bicycles.

32. Put away the Lycra for short trips; embrace cycle chic.

Ok, Reno might never be chic...but the bike lanes aren't for the roadies, they're in locations that allow us all to move around the city.

33. Encouragement key #5: integrate bike safety education into schools and invest in comprehensive Safe Routes to School programs. Start now.

We have a safe routes to schools program.  It's not well publicized and I'm not sure how robust it is.  I sure don't see many kids riding or walking to school.

34. Face the naysayers with solid research and facts.

RTC does this....the problem is the City of Reno often contains the naysayer.

39. Wherever you are, that’s where you start. Tailor solutions to your community’s unique topography, urban layout, demographics, and growth patterns.

Let's hope we have this type of vision.  

40. Have hope: even the most closed minds can open.

I don't think we'd have any bike lanes if many people in "the system" didn't already have some.  Let's get involved and bolster them.

44. Collect data on the number of people on bikes, estimate and project usage, measure your success, continually report back.

We're doing this on our complete street studies.

45. Design your bikeway network not for those who are already cycling but those you would like to attract - those interested in bicycling but concerned about safety and desire low-stress bikeways separated from motor vehicle traffic or shared in low-speed conditions.

Again, our recent road diets are a good start on this.

48. Have patience, persistence and faith.

49. No matter what obstacles you encounter, keep going.

There are a couple red-necks around Reno.  We're going to get some blow back.  We will have to fight to keep moving forward.

50. Open your streets to people on foot or bike and celebrate every success. Most of all, enjoy the ride!

Ok, Reno hasn't done this.  But there are those of us who are believers in progress...and I for one do enjoy the ride!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Now that's green.

Path to Success.

This is an excerpt from Mia Birk's book Joyride.  I thought it might be interesting to post it and then give a quick rundown tomorrow on what I think Reno has accomplished on this grand plan.




50 Keys to Transforming Communities and Empowering People, One Pedal Stroke at a Time


1. Look beyond the bike: bicycle transportation succeeds best when combined with investments in compact development, transit, and walking. Engage in and support various efforts to help shape your sustainable community.

2. Key human elements: strong local political leaders, effective community advocates and well trained and supported City staff. With one or two, you can make some progress, but it is the combination of all three that is the recipe for success.

3. Develop and adopt a robust, visionary, comprehensive bicycle transportation plan. Use the planning process to engage your community in a deep conversation about the future of transportation.

4. Develop a network of bikeways that is connected, comprehensive, and gets people from where they are to where they want to go. It should be a combination of off-street paths, on-road separated bikeways, and low-stress neighborhood greenways and must appeal to a wide variety of ages, cycling skill levels, and trip purposes.

5. It’s not just the bikeway infrastructure, it’s the attitude. Embrace the role of encouraging people to bicycle as part and parcel of the way you do business.

6. Get your traffic engineers on bikes as a regular part of their job.

7. Start with the low-hanging fruit: easy-to-implement projects.

8. Court the media and don’t freak out if you get negative press. It’s important to get ‘bike’ in the public consciousness.

9. Set aside at least one percent of your transportation budget to get the ball rolling.

10. Adopt “Complete Streets” policies and/or legislation, then execute! Unenforced policies and plans that sit on shelves gathering dust are worthless.

11. Backlash is normal. Expect it, prepare for it, but don’t back down. Changing built infrastructure and deeply ingrained habits is really hard stuff.

12. Look to the world’s best cycling cities for planning and design guidance.

13. Work hand-in-hand across bureaucratic boundaries to create complementary off- and on-street bikeways.

14. Iconic, highly visible, albeit costly off-road urban pathways are worth the investment. Garner funding via grants, partnerships, local funding, tax measures, hook, crook, and creativity. The more you invest, the more your community will reap the benefits of active transportation.

15. Top priority: upgrade bridges and pinch points.

16. Institutionalize care of bikeway facilities into daily maintenance practices.

17. Fully integrate bicycling with your transit system through low-stress bikeways to stations, storage at stations, and provisions for bikes on transit vehicles.

18. Build relationships with local leaders, and take them on rides to see the good and bad and to envision future possibilities

19. Retrain officials throughout every facet of government to understand the needs of people on bikes.

20. Integrate requirements and incentives for bike parking, showers, and lockers into building codes.

21. Train developers, architects, and all staff involved in building permits, planning, development and design.

22. Encouragement key #1: celebrate bike commuters with events and contests.

23. Encouragement key #2: invest time and effort in the personal touch: one-on-one mentoring (a.k.a. personal travel planning programs or individualized marketing programs) to overcome resistance and mental barriers.
 
24. Tie your network together with bikeway signage noting destinations, mileage and time.

25. Whenever you ride, be courteous, obey the law, and smile and wave at any motorist who shows you the slightest shred of kindness.

26. Send thank you notes to public officials who support bicycle transportation.

27. Encouragement key #3: hold mega-fun car-free community events, which are a wonderful way to connect people with public space and open their hearts and minds to bicycling.

28. See the bicycle as a tool for empowerment and social change, not just sport or transportation.

29. Foster community groups to recycle and reuse bikes for the good of underprivileged youth.

30. Don’t let weather challenges dissuade you from creating bicycle friendly infrastructure.

31. Encouragement key #4: focus on women! When women and children ride in significant numbers, then you know you’re making progress.

32. Put away the Lycra for short trips; embrace cycle chic.

33. Encouragement key #5: integrate bike safety education into schools and invest in comprehensive Safe Routes to School programs. Start now.

34. Face the naysayers with solid research and facts.

35. Understand all sides of an issue, then look for and create win-win solutions.

36. Fight just as hard to avoid car-exclusive, bike-hideous roadway, bridges and interchanges as you do to create something new.

37. In the suburbs, focus on building off-street paths and shifting short trips in neighborhoods to bike or foot. Let go of the focus on the long, hard-to-impact journey-to-work trip.

38. Use the shared lane marking (a.k.a., ‘sharrow’) where the speed differential between cyclists and motorists is low, to advertise neighborhood greenways, or to fill in short gaps. Detailed guidance on the sharrow at http://nacto.org/cities-for-cycling/design-guide/.

39. Wherever you are, that’s where you start. Tailor solutions to your community’s unique topography, urban layout, demographics, and growth patterns.

40. Have hope: even the most closed minds can open.

41. Design for what you want to achieve rather than what is dictated by traditional traffic models.

42. Do not let fear of being sued prevent you from doing the right thing. (It rarely happens, and you’ll be fine if you follow key #44.)

43. Carefully document your decisions, base them on best practices, monitor the situation, make adjustments as necessary.

44. Collect data on the number of people on bikes, estimate and project usage, measure your success, continually report back.

45. Design your bikeway network not for those who are already cycling but those you would like to attract - those interested in bicycling but concerned about safety and desire low-stress bikeways separated from motor vehicle traffic or shared in low-speed conditions.

46. Take leaders on a ride in a bicycle-friendly city like Portland, Boulder or Ft. Collins, Colorado, Minneapolis, Vancouver B.C. or Davis, California.

47. It starts with us: find at least one driving trip per week – to the store, school, restaurant, park, or friend’s house - and switch it to foot or bike.

48. Have patience, persistence and faith.

49. No matter what obstacles you encounter, keep going.

50. Open your streets to people on foot or bike and celebrate every success. Most of all, enjoy the ride!

© 2011 Mia Birk. Excerpted from “Joyride: Pedaling Toward A Healthier Planet”, 2nd edition, Cadence Press.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

The squeaky wheel gets the grease...or lighting on the river path.

A little dogged persistence and a few good contacts at the city engineering department and parks department have paid off.  Most (90 % give or take) of the lights along the river path now seem to be working!   So a big thanks to Steve and Jeff and their respective departments.  It's really refreshing to know that once you've made contact with the right people you can get things done.

So with that said....the proof is in the pictures.




So if you've been avoiding the path on your evening commute, it's now well lit and you will really notice the difference.  Don't be afraid to give it a try.

Monday, January 2, 2012

New Years Day...you might be done with beer....but we're just getting started.

While many of you were laying on the couch in serious recovery mode, I was putting the absolutely best Christmas present into use.  11 Gallons of Coffee Stout ready for a round of vigorous fermentation in it's new home!

The wort smells like chocolate brownies....killer!


Fermenting away within 3 hours.

Peavine New Years Eve ride.

A little catch up post.  New Years Eve morning we headed out for a short ride on Peavine.  For those of you in the know....we just rode the quick lower fence line loop.

The unload.


The trail.


Traffic....if you look closely above the green post, just to the right.


The dog leads on the way back to the trailhead.