Why Do You Ride?

Carlton Reid’s Bike to Work booklet is now available in an iPad/iPod/iPhone/Smartphone friendly version….or you can view it here for free. The book is a full take on the benefits and statistics concerning commuting and riding your bicycle to the job, along with plenty of ads and info on all the gear and bikes that make it easy.

It's also available as a real book for those of us who still read those (myself included).

Around the Clock Bicycle Needs

Vending machines for cyclists are starting to pop up in a few bike friendly cities in the US including Madison, New York, and Seattle. The one shown above (in New York) contains bicycle tire patch kits, pumps, brake pads, bells, small U-locks, and inner tubes.

Idaho bike safety bills unlikely to make it out of session

The Associated Press

BOISE - It appears that Idaho Senate bills aimed at protecting bicyclists in the wake of several fatal accidents are unlikely to make it out of the 2010 session.

Boise Democrat Sen. Elliot Werk says two of his measures - one requiring cars to give cyclists three feet when passing, the other to punish people who harass cyclists - will die without a Senate vote. The trucking industry raised objections to the three-foot rule, in particular on northern Idaho's winding roads that see logging traffic.

So far, only one of Werk's bicycle-related measures has cleared the Senate. That measure would require brakes on all bikes. It passed 20-14 two weeks ago, but it's being held by House Speaker Lawerence Denney and won't get a hearing in his chamber.

There were seven fatal bicycle accidents in Idaho in 2009. (AP)

Bike Commuting with Ryan Leech

“People For Bikes”, started by the national advocacy group Bikes Belong is looking for your support.

Read this pledge, and if you agree, show your support by pledging here.

“I am for bikes. I’m for long rides and short rides. I’m for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling—one that is safe and fun for everyone. By uniting my voice with a million others, I believe that we can make our world a better place to ride.”he group is hoping to garner 1 million online signatures for the pledge to send a powerful message to politicians, media, and the public that cycling is important and here to stay.

Bike Commuting 101

Bike Pittsburg has a cool bike commuting guide in the style of a graphic novel (i.e. a comic book) that is worth checking out. Bike Commuting 101 covers choosing a bike and equipment, riding safely in traffic, bike maintenance, and dealing with the weather.

If you are planning to join us for Bike to Work Week.....scratch that....BECAUSE you are joining us for Bike to Work Week (and beyond) it is worth your time to check out their unique publication.

See you on the road!

Getting More Women on Bikes

Are you a woman who rides a bicycle? Or are you a woman who would like to ride a bicycle? Then the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) needs you to participate in a survey about women and girls and bicycling. (If you're not a woman, perhaps you know a few females who fit into these categories.) It takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. And the data will provide useful information for planners about why women cycle -- and why they don't.

National Non-motorized News Update

On March 11, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood addressed the League of American Bicyclists’ Bike Summit by announcing his new Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations. The policy is viewable here:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/policy_accom.htm

This is a big step for non-motorized transportation in the United States.

On his blog, Secretary LaHood wrote:

Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.

We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:

· Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.

· Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.

· Go beyond minimum design standards.

· Collect data on walking and biking trips.

· Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.

· Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)

· Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.

It’s encouraging to see this change in mind-set about active transportation. Let’s hope the push continues!

Traffic Skills 101 Spring 2010 Classes

League of American Bicyclists Traffic Skills 101

You’d love to ride your bike to work – but those crazy drivers!

Instead of darting about to avoid a hostile scene, learn to become a visible and predictable part of traffic flow. Understand how traffic works, and how to improve your own safety with a course developed by the League of American Bicyclists.

9 hour course with classroom & riding experiences

For Adults and Students 15 and over with attending parent.

Topics include:

> Protective clothing

> Caring for your bicycle

> Bike handling skills

> Traffic skills for bicyclists

Pre-registration required $30

Cost includes book and materials

Three courses have been scheduled for the Spokane area:

April 13, Tuesday 5-8pm and Saturday April 17 10-4pm

April 28, Wednesday and May 1, Saturday 9AM-4PM

May 12, Wednesday 5PM and May 15 Saturday 9AM-4PM

Contact: SpokaneBikeBuddy@aol.com

Legislative update

The Associated Press

BOISE - Senators voted 20-14 to require bikes be outfitted with at least one brake.

The bill was in a bicycle safety and responsibility package from Boise Democratic Sen. Elliot Werk.

Werk said Tuesday he wants to make sure that so-called "fixies" - those hip, single-speed bicycles styled after big-city messenger bikes - have stopping devices. Many don't now.

Werk says, "There's no coaster brake. There's no brake on the bike whatsoever."

Foes seemed piqued by the notion of government stepping further into the freewheeling realm of two-wheeled transit.

Sen. Jeff Siddoway, a Terreton Republican, argued government shouldn't be trying to tell people everything.

The bill now goes to the House.

A second Werk bill, to adds a $75 civil penalty to all infractions involving bicycles, failed 7-27.

There are two more bike-related bills pending in the Senate.

Google now has biking directions

Users can now choose biking when deciding how to get to their destination, starting today, March 10, 2010. If you're one of the 57 million Americans who ride a bike, mapping your daily commute, and planning recreational or trail rides just became easier. According to Google this has been the most requested addition to Google Maps, and the League is delighted that they have chosen the National Bike Summit to unveil this new feature. Google's announcement further proves the importance of the Summit and the bicycle movement in helping our nation become a more Bicycle Friendly America. The Google biking directions will make it that much easier for bicyclists to get to work, school or play.

This new feature includes: step-by-step bicycling directions; bike trails outlined directly on the map; and a new "Bicycling" layer that indicates bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly roads. The directions feature provides step-by-step, bike-specific routing suggestions - similar to the directions provided by our driving, walking, or public transit modes. Simply enter a start point and destination and select "Bicycling" from the drop-down menu. You will receive a route that is optimized for cycling, taking advantage of bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly streets and avoiding hilly terrain whenever possible.

Visit http://maps.google.com/biking to try out this new feature. Biking directions for Google Maps is currently in Beta.

Give it a try and see what you think. I tried it for my commute and it told me to go down Government Way for most of my trip, which portions of it are currently lacking bike lanes. But hey, it's a start! We are gaining acceptance.

Support Active Transportation

Last week, U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced H.R. 4722, the “Active Community Transportation Act of 2010,” in the House of Representatives—a direct result of your years of campaign activity.

The Act would create a $2 billion program to fund dozens of communities around the country to improve their trail, walking and biking networks. Your community could ultimately receive some of these funds, better allowing you and your neighbors to walk and bike to the places you live, work, play, shop and learn.

Now that Rep. Blumenauer has introduced the legislation in the House, we need to ensure that other representatives support the bill's passage.
Encourage your representative to co-sponsor this very important legislation now:

http://support.railstotrails.org/ACT

Safe-roads bills get backing of Kristin Armstrong

Lego Complete Streets

Are your streets complete?