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.

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)"

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

Car-free suburb -- New York Times article

In German Suburb, Life Goes On Without Cars

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: May 11, 2009 =

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.

Full article at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/science/earth/12suburb.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&em

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.

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.

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

Biking to Work

Excerpt from an interview with Steven Chu, the Dept of Energy Secretary. Not only is (was) he a bike commuter, he is also funny!

Is it true you don’t drive a car?
My wife does, but I no longer own a car. Let me just say that in most of my jobs, I mostly rode my bicycle.

And now?
My security detail didn’t want me to be riding my bicycle or even taking the Metro. I have a security detail that drives me.

How do you feel about adding carbon emissions to the air?
I don’t feel good about it.

I guess the president wants to keep you alive.
My wife is in favor of that as well.

Healthy Knox survey

I would like to invite you to take the Together! Healthy Knox online survey: www.healthyknox.org/survey

It will only take five minutes, and will provide essential feedback needed to improve health and quality of life in Knox County.

For more information about Together! Healthy Knox, including how to sign up for a focus group on health, visit: www.healthyknox.org.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to others. Thanks much and have a great day!!

Smart Trips Month

May is National Bike Month, and locally it's also Smart Trips Month. Bike events includes Bike to Work Day on May 15, a tour of historic Knoxville by bike, roadside repair classes, and a new Bike to the Beach errand-running challenge (bringing all the makings for a beach party to Market Square by bike!).

There are tons of events promoting alternatives to driving alone, including the popular Undriver's License campaign, the hilarious Fit in a Fit contest, walking tours, and so much more. See all the events.

http://smartrips.knoxtrans.org/stweek.htm