Investment in Bicycling and Walking Will Save Billions: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Releases Active Transportation for America Report to Congress, Rep. Oberstar
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) presents today the "Active Transportation for America" report to Congress via Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), who serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The report quantifies—for the first time—the national benefits of bicycling and walking. Putting figures to facts, the report documents the transportation, energy, climate, public health, and economic benefits of bicycling and walking. Never before has the case been made so clearly that relatively modest federal investment in bicycling and walking can save Americans tens of billions of dollars each year. The report compiles success stories from communities across America to show the potential to realize these benefits. ..
For full report: http://www.railstotrails.org/newsandpubs/news/press/pressreleases/20081020_DC_ActiveTransportationReport.html
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tour de Lights is coming!
Sorry for being out of touch--I am just getting back from maternity leave. I saw a lot of you at the Neighborhood Bike Ride, which was a great success. More than 250 people came out for that. Hopefully we will have that many for the second annual Tour de Lights. 
Wed., Dec 17
7 p.m.
(bike safety checks from 6 - 7 p.m.)
Krutch Park, next to Market Square
Experience the beautiful holiday lights of Island Home and downtown by bicycle. Meet at Krutch Park for the Tour de Lights, sponsored by the City of Knoxville and the TPO Bicycle Program. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided after the ride by the Mast General Store. The ride will be less than 6 miles and does not have many hills.
Prizes will be awarded to ride participants for best decorated person, best decorated bicycle and best decorated helmet. Riders should get creative with specialty bike lights or battery-powered LED lights. All ages are welcome. Helmets are required along with a white front light visible from 500 feet and a red rear reflector. Rear lights are recommended.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Pedal Power video from CBS Sunday morning
"Pedal Power" is coming into its own these days, as Americans of all ages are coming to realize biking can be practical, economical, and good clean fun - or should we say, good GREEN fun? Our Cover Story takes us from California to Cambridge, and is reported by Serena Altschul
"Learn to ride a bicycle," Mark Twain once wrote. "You will not regret it if you live."
On a cool Summer morning, a dozen bicyclists are living the good life on two wheels. Their backroads tour out of Sonoma, Calif., takes them through wine country.
"There's really no better way to see something, to see a place really well than by biking," said one rider. "You're presented with the smells and sounds of nature. For me, this is a very Zen ,relaxing thing."
Relaxing, and refreshing.
Today's ride of about 40 miles is new for some ("I actually am not a big biker<' admits one), and for others, it's just another day.
"We ride about 5,000 miles a year," one couple said. "A hundred miles a week."
A coast away, at the Bicycle Riding School in Somerville, Mass., a drama is unfolding as Sue Ghezzi and three other students are about to take the saddle for the very first time.
"Isn't that a shock - I've never ridden before," she said. "I grew up in New York City and I probably didn't see a bike until I was a teenager."
Full story and video: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/27/sunday/main4297624.shtml
"Learn to ride a bicycle," Mark Twain once wrote. "You will not regret it if you live."
On a cool Summer morning, a dozen bicyclists are living the good life on two wheels. Their backroads tour out of Sonoma, Calif., takes them through wine country.
"There's really no better way to see something, to see a place really well than by biking," said one rider. "You're presented with the smells and sounds of nature. For me, this is a very Zen ,relaxing thing."
Relaxing, and refreshing.
Today's ride of about 40 miles is new for some ("I actually am not a big biker<' admits one), and for others, it's just another day.
"We ride about 5,000 miles a year," one couple said. "A hundred miles a week."
A coast away, at the Bicycle Riding School in Somerville, Mass., a drama is unfolding as Sue Ghezzi and three other students are about to take the saddle for the very first time.
"Isn't that a shock - I've never ridden before," she said. "I grew up in New York City and I probably didn't see a bike until I was a teenager."
Full story and video: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/27/sunday/main4297624.shtml
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
New bike shop Grand Opening
Long time no blog!
Sorry for the quietude around here, but Kelley was on bed rest for her pregnancy (she's a mom now!) and I'm supposed to be her backup for bike stuff but I was on vacation.
But I'm back, and with news!
From Luke Grieve at the new Fountain City Pedaler bike shop:
Well, we've been open for a couple weeks and it's time for the Grand Opening. It will be Saturday 7/19/08. We'll be open from 9-5 but will be there into the night to celebrate. We will have cold beverages and some food. We will be grilling hotdogs starting at 12:00 until around 2:00. We will have more food for later for when the Tour de France is on to watch. Hopefully most of you can make it out to have some fun and hang out. Our address is 4620 Old Broadway Suite 102, Knoxville, TN 37918 if you need to mapquest directions. Our phone # is 357-1580.
Luke tells me they're working on getting a website up, so we'll add that info when it's available.
Come on out for the Grand Opening, or come by another time to support this new shop. Luke says they have the fastest repair in town -- I hope none of our other bike shops are offended by my posting that :)
Sorry for the quietude around here, but Kelley was on bed rest for her pregnancy (she's a mom now!) and I'm supposed to be her backup for bike stuff but I was on vacation.
But I'm back, and with news!
From Luke Grieve at the new Fountain City Pedaler bike shop:
Well, we've been open for a couple weeks and it's time for the Grand Opening. It will be Saturday 7/19/08. We'll be open from 9-5 but will be there into the night to celebrate. We will have cold beverages and some food. We will be grilling hotdogs starting at 12:00 until around 2:00. We will have more food for later for when the Tour de France is on to watch. Hopefully most of you can make it out to have some fun and hang out. Our address is 4620 Old Broadway Suite 102, Knoxville, TN 37918 if you need to mapquest directions. Our phone # is 357-1580.
Luke tells me they're working on getting a website up, so we'll add that info when it's available.
Come on out for the Grand Opening, or come by another time to support this new shop. Luke says they have the fastest repair in town -- I hope none of our other bike shops are offended by my posting that :)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Next bike ride coming up
Are you ready to ride? East Side Story, part of the 2008 Knoxville By Cycle Summer Ride Series, is a repeat of the 2007 Neighborhood Bike Ride route. Some said it was their favorite route ever! These bicycle rides are for all ages and skill levels, with a different theme each month. This ride will meet at Ashley Nicole Dream Playground (Caswell Park), 620 Winona St. on Saturday, July 12, 2008. The 11-mile ride highlights the Parkridge, Holston Hills and Burlington neighborhoods, Chilhowee Park, Speedway Circle, and Knoxville Botanical Gardens. All participants should be on site and ready to ride by 9 a.m. More information is available at www.knoxtrans.org. As always, helmets required.
Bike class rescheduled
Learn the hows and whys of safe bicycling with our Confident City Cycling class! You'll learn how to ride safely in traffic, how to use your bicycle more efficiently, and even basic maintenance. This class combines classroom learning with on-bike exercises and a practice ride on Knoxville's streets.
The class is for adults and older teens, and is taught by League of American Bicyclists-certified instructors. The $30 fee includes the League Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling. You’ll need your bike and a helmet for the class. You must be 16 or older to register.
Confident City Cycling Saturday, August 29 a.m.-1 p.m.Cansler YMCA, 616 Jessamine St.
Please spread the word to anyone you think would be interested. Pre-registration is required, and the sooner, the better!
Registration form at www.knoxtrans.org/plans/bikeprog/classes.htm. For more information, pleasre visit our webstie at www.knoxtrans.org
The class is for adults and older teens, and is taught by League of American Bicyclists-certified instructors. The $30 fee includes the League Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling. You’ll need your bike and a helmet for the class. You must be 16 or older to register.
Confident City Cycling Saturday, August 29 a.m.-1 p.m.Cansler YMCA, 616 Jessamine St.
Please spread the word to anyone you think would be interested. Pre-registration is required, and the sooner, the better!
Registration form at www.knoxtrans.org/plans/bikeprog/classes.htm. For more information, pleasre visit our webstie at www.knoxtrans.org
NBC video "What Works" bike commuting and your health
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#25590401
There was also a story the evening before this one about bike commuting and saving money on gas. What, is there something going on with gas prices?
There was also a story the evening before this one about bike commuting and saving money on gas. What, is there something going on with gas prices?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Confident City Cycling class
Do you mostly ride on greenways but would love to ride more on streets? Do you already ride on streets but aren't sure about where to position yourself at intersections? Would you like to learn some emergency maneuvers to help avoid crashes? This class can help with that...and more!
Confident City Cycling (aka Street Skills for Bicyclists)
Sat., June 14
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Blount Mansion Visitor Center, 200 W Hill Ave (corner of Gay St and Hill)
$30 fee includes the League Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling
Please spread the word to anyone you think would be interested. Pre-registration is required, and the sooner, the better! Registration form at www.knoxtrans.org
Also, remember the next Knoxville By Cycle bike ride is Sat., June 28th at 9 a.m.!
Confident City Cycling (aka Street Skills for Bicyclists)
Sat., June 14
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Blount Mansion Visitor Center, 200 W Hill Ave (corner of Gay St and Hill)
$30 fee includes the League Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling
Please spread the word to anyone you think would be interested. Pre-registration is required, and the sooner, the better! Registration form at www.knoxtrans.org
Also, remember the next Knoxville By Cycle bike ride is Sat., June 28th at 9 a.m.!
CNN.com looking for interesting commute stories
Do you fight your way through traffic each morning, even with gas prices surging to record levels? Do you bike to work, or use public transit? We want to see the sights and sounds of how you get to work. Document your daily travel schedule. (Drivers, please be careful not to distract yourself behind the wheel.) If you have a unique way of getting to work, please tell us about it. Send photos, video and audio to share the story of your commute.
http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=27556
http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=27556
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Bicycle resolution passes in House
Last week, the House passed a non-binding resolution calling for a national bicycle strategy. The preamble includes this language:
"Whereas bicycle commuters annually save on average $1,825 in auto-related costs, reduce their carbon emissions by 128 pounds, conserve 145 gallons of gasoline, and avoid 50 hours of gridlock traffic;
SNIP
Whereas 57 million adults in the United States bicycle each year, and bicycling and walking currently account for nearly 10 percent of trips and 13 percent of traffic fatalities, yet less than 2 percent of Federal transportation safety funding is currently spent to make bicycling and walking safer; and
Whereas communities across the United States are seeking ways to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, increase the safety of their neighborhoods, and decrease petroleum dependence, bicycles offer a simple, healthy, energy-saving alternative to driving"
This resolution is mentioned in this blog entry:
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/trains-buses-and-bikes-oh-my
"Whereas bicycle commuters annually save on average $1,825 in auto-related costs, reduce their carbon emissions by 128 pounds, conserve 145 gallons of gasoline, and avoid 50 hours of gridlock traffic;
SNIP
Whereas 57 million adults in the United States bicycle each year, and bicycling and walking currently account for nearly 10 percent of trips and 13 percent of traffic fatalities, yet less than 2 percent of Federal transportation safety funding is currently spent to make bicycling and walking safer; and
Whereas communities across the United States are seeking ways to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, increase the safety of their neighborhoods, and decrease petroleum dependence, bicycles offer a simple, healthy, energy-saving alternative to driving"
This resolution is mentioned in this blog entry:
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/trains-buses-and-bikes-oh-my
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