full blog entry at http://www.planetizen.com/node/38963
by Ian Sacs
snippet:
"Finally, with the installation of bike lanes, it is true as Mr. Oswald says, that “Fools rush in!”. But I contend that fools are exactly what we want: people new to biking, choosing that mode over a car, and learning how to share the road as bicyclists rather than drivers. Yes, a strong education and safety program is equally important, but welcoming new bicyclists to the street is most desirable because, as concluded in study after study, the most powerful way to reduce bicycle/vehicle fatalities and increase driver awareness of bicycles is by getting more bikes on the road, commonly referred to as the "Safety in Numbers" effect.
Bike lanes are not a safety device, they are a bullhorn. In a future where the message is implicit, bike lanes may be unnecessary. But for now, despite not being a perfect solution, they are an effective and important tool in the engineer’s toolbox, and should be used as such."
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
MetroPulse bicycle issue
Bike Power: A quick ride through Knoxville's bicycle universe
May is National Bike Month, and Metro Pulse is celebrating by giving over most of this issue to bikes and bicyclists. Meet Kelley Segars, your regional transportation planner and bicycling advocate. Meet Elle Colquitt and Jon Livengood, who have sniffed out the best bike routes around Knoxville ... and share their favorites here. Get some air with Corey McPherson, closet BMX-er and ace photographer (and Metro Pulse designer). And meet your many fellow bicyclists and local bike-sellers through our handy list of bicyclists’ resources—everything from off-road routes to clubs to shops to upcoming events to rules of the road.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Take Action
Federal Transportation Authorization
Take Action!
Prioritizing biking and walking in our transportation system
Congress is preparing to draft legislation that will define our national transportation system for the next 6 years. We need your help to ensure that bicycling is a part of that system, a transportation system for the 21st century.
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus is circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter to his fellow Bike Caucus Members respectfully asking them to support increased federal support for establishing a truly multi-modal national transportation policy that better integrates bicycling and walking into our nation's transportation system.
We are thankful for Congressman Blumenauer's efforts on behalf of cyclists nationwide and urge you to contact your Representative, who is on the Congressional Bike Caucus, to ask them to join Mr. Blumenauer and lend their voice to this important bike-partisan debate.
Please contact your Congressional Representative today to urge them to sign on to Representative Blumenauer's "Dear Colleague" Letter.
Take Action!
Prioritizing biking and walking in our transportation system
Congress is preparing to draft legislation that will define our national transportation system for the next 6 years. We need your help to ensure that bicycling is a part of that system, a transportation system for the 21st century.
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus is circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter to his fellow Bike Caucus Members respectfully asking them to support increased federal support for establishing a truly multi-modal national transportation policy that better integrates bicycling and walking into our nation's transportation system.
We are thankful for Congressman Blumenauer's efforts on behalf of cyclists nationwide and urge you to contact your Representative, who is on the Congressional Bike Caucus, to ask them to join Mr. Blumenauer and lend their voice to this important bike-partisan debate.
Please contact your Congressional Representative today to urge them to sign on to Representative Blumenauer's "Dear Colleague" Letter.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Action needed
Federal Transportation Authorization
Take Action!
Prioritizing biking and walking in our transportation system
Congress is preparing to draft legislation that will define our national transportation system for the next 6 years. We need your help to ensure that bicycling is a part of that system, a transportation system for the 21st century.
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus is circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter to his fellow Bike Caucus Members respectfully asking them to support increased federal support for establishing a truly multi-modal national transportation policy that better integrates bicycling and walking into our nation's transportation system.
We are thankful for Congressman Blumenauer's efforts on behalf of cyclists nationwide and urge you to contact your Representative, who is on the Congressional Bike Caucus, to ask them to join Mr. Blumenauer and lend their voice to this important bike-partisan debate.
Please contact your Congressional Representative today to urge them to sign on to Representative Blumenauer's "Dear Colleague" Letter.
Take Action!
Prioritizing biking and walking in our transportation system
Congress is preparing to draft legislation that will define our national transportation system for the next 6 years. We need your help to ensure that bicycling is a part of that system, a transportation system for the 21st century.
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus is circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter to his fellow Bike Caucus Members respectfully asking them to support increased federal support for establishing a truly multi-modal national transportation policy that better integrates bicycling and walking into our nation's transportation system.
We are thankful for Congressman Blumenauer's efforts on behalf of cyclists nationwide and urge you to contact your Representative, who is on the Congressional Bike Caucus, to ask them to join Mr. Blumenauer and lend their voice to this important bike-partisan debate.
Please contact your Congressional Representative today to urge them to sign on to Representative Blumenauer's "Dear Colleague" Letter.
Bike to Work Day!
Sorry, I posted these on facebook Friday and neglected the blog! (If you're on facebook, join the Knoxville Bicycle Program group!) These are from the celebration on Market Square. Jim Hagerman appears to be the master of ceremonies, but he actually was vying for an award in our Best Dressed Commuters contest! More than 50 people stopped by on their way to work to enjoy a free coffee and muffin.
Mayor Haslam arrives from Bearden.
Tracy Jackson takes home "Most Dapper."
Kaitlyn Millen is awarded "Most Original" in her superhero costume (she is about to bike across the country, so biking to work was nothing!)
Monika Miller is pleased to be named "Most Professional (Female)"
Adam Dattilo gets "Most Professional (Male)"Friday, May 15, 2009
Ride of Silence
What: Ride of Silence
When: May 20, 2009 at 7:00PM (Please arrive by 6:45PM)
Where: Blount County Courthouse Parking Lot
The National Ride of Silence will be held on May 20th and we are organizing a local ride starting and ending at the Blount County Courthouse parking area. The ride will be ~8 miles covering most of the downtown area. You can find a map and more details at www.jeffrothcyclingfoundation.org.
You will also find posters that can be printed to help spread the word about the ride. Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. There is no brochure, no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways.
You can find out more about this worldwide campaign at www.rideofsilence.org
Thank you and hope to see you in Maryville!
Keith Webb
Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation
When: May 20, 2009 at 7:00PM (Please arrive by 6:45PM)
Where: Blount County Courthouse Parking Lot
The National Ride of Silence will be held on May 20th and we are organizing a local ride starting and ending at the Blount County Courthouse parking area. The ride will be ~8 miles covering most of the downtown area. You can find a map and more details at www.jeffrothcyclingfoundation.org.
You will also find posters that can be printed to help spread the word about the ride. Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. There is no brochure, no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways.
You can find out more about this worldwide campaign at www.rideofsilence.org
Thank you and hope to see you in Maryville!
Keith Webb
Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Car-free suburb -- New York Times article
In German Suburb, Life Goes On Without Cars 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.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Bike to Work Day!
Bike to Work Day is this Friday, May 15th. It is time to mobilize the masses. Last year we had about 140 people participate and we want to double those numbers. Or even triple! Remember to log your commutes online with Smart Trips.
If your bike commute takes you near downtown Knoxville, stop by the Cafe 4 patio between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. for a free coffee and pastry. Mayor Haslam will be helping present awards for the best dressed bike commuters at 8 a.m.!
Need some help finding a route? E-mail me with your home and work locations and I will send you some suggestions. Commuter convoys are available from east, west, north and south that morning if you want to ride with a group.
And remember, all the Smart Trips Month events are online. Check out the details on the Go-Getter and Longest Bike Commute awards and the Business Challenge.
If your bike commute takes you near downtown Knoxville, stop by the Cafe 4 patio between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. for a free coffee and pastry. Mayor Haslam will be helping present awards for the best dressed bike commuters at 8 a.m.!
Need some help finding a route? E-mail me with your home and work locations and I will send you some suggestions. Commuter convoys are available from east, west, north and south that morning if you want to ride with a group.
And remember, all the Smart Trips Month events are online. Check out the details on the Go-Getter and Longest Bike Commute awards and the Business Challenge.
Friday, May 1, 2009
It's here, it's here--Smart Trips Month!
Come to Market Square tomorrow at 11 a.m. for Bike to the Beach and help us fetch items (by bicycle) to create a beach party on the stage. At 1 p.m., there's a Pack It Up contest to fit a bunch of random things in a pannier. Prizes for the fastest, neatest and most creative packers!
Check out http://www.knoxsmarttrips.org/stweek.htm for all the events of the month.
Check out http://www.knoxsmarttrips.org/stweek.htm for all the events of the month.
Danish law enforcement
OK, see--European ways of doing things just don't translate to the U.S.. Can you imagine this happening here?
In this video, police in Denmark stop cyclists without helmets, hug them, and give them new helmets.
http://www.planetizen.com/node/38543
In this video, police in Denmark stop cyclists without helmets, hug them, and give them new helmets.
http://www.planetizen.com/node/38543
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