It's depressing... and a little unsettling.
Another cyclist was taken out by a motorist last night. All indications are that it was the motorist's fault, and that Kevin, the cyclist, was doing everything right.
I posted some thoughts - mostly about the Statesman's story and the reader comments - on the Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance forum; HERE.
Tireless advocate for the most efficient form of
human transportation ever devised - bicycles!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Bad drivers, dangerous roads
This less-than-comforting info was in a motorcycle magazine I subscribe to:
A recent poll by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research found that 54 percent of respondents felt driving is less safe today than it was five years ago, and more than half of them think they're more likely to be involved in a motor-vehicle accident. Many of them cited the behavior of other motorists as the cause for that belief, as well as their own poor driving habits.
[American Rider, August 2009 issue, P. 16]
"Yeah... I have poor driving habits, and I'm likely to be in an accident because of it."
Is that a good attitude to take, as you get behind the wheel of your 3500-pound cruise missile?
A recent poll by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research found that 54 percent of respondents felt driving is less safe today than it was five years ago, and more than half of them think they're more likely to be involved in a motor-vehicle accident. Many of them cited the behavior of other motorists as the cause for that belief, as well as their own poor driving habits.
[American Rider, August 2009 issue, P. 16]
"Yeah... I have poor driving habits, and I'm likely to be in an accident because of it."
Is that a good attitude to take, as you get behind the wheel of your 3500-pound cruise missile?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Water's risin'
In these parts, the Boise River typically runs high this time of year, as they try to make room for the spring snowmelt in the reservoirs upstream. And of course, the Greenbelt runs alongside the River... which is currently lappin' at the edges in places, and even spilling over.
On Sunday, I pulled my granddaughter under the Broadway bridge, boldly entering forbidden territory. (There was a "closed" sign at each end. I rode down to where the water crossed the path. There was a pretty good crowd, and it looked pretty obvious that the water wasn't more than maybe 3 inches deep... so we forged ahead slowly and deliberately. Mackie was impressed! Of couse, she loves jumping into mud puddles, too!)
Today in Garden City, I got the free bike-shoe and sock wash, as I rode through another submerged stretch. The water was a result of "splash" - it looked to be about ankle deep, and I thought it would be best if I didn't pedal. (Don't want that water in my pedal bearings if I can help it.) So I went through with enough momentum to take me to the other side. Worked out great.
(Obviously I'm very familiar with the places I'm venturing - if I didn't have a notion of how deep it was, I wouldn't forge ahead. I can swim, but don't want to swim in 45-degree water while trying to rescue a bike that can't swim!)
In a week, everything will most likely be back to normal.
On Sunday, I pulled my granddaughter under the Broadway bridge, boldly entering forbidden territory. (There was a "closed" sign at each end. I rode down to where the water crossed the path. There was a pretty good crowd, and it looked pretty obvious that the water wasn't more than maybe 3 inches deep... so we forged ahead slowly and deliberately. Mackie was impressed! Of couse, she loves jumping into mud puddles, too!)
Today in Garden City, I got the free bike-shoe and sock wash, as I rode through another submerged stretch. The water was a result of "splash" - it looked to be about ankle deep, and I thought it would be best if I didn't pedal. (Don't want that water in my pedal bearings if I can help it.) So I went through with enough momentum to take me to the other side. Worked out great.
(Obviously I'm very familiar with the places I'm venturing - if I didn't have a notion of how deep it was, I wouldn't forge ahead. I can swim, but don't want to swim in 45-degree water while trying to rescue a bike that can't swim!)
In a week, everything will most likely be back to normal.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Down-pressers hassle bike riding activist rooster
The City of Miami Beach, Florida, is trying to evict Mr. Clucky.
Mr. Clucky is a rooster that rides around town on the
handlebars of Mark Buckley's bicycle.
That's not the only thing that makes Mr. Clucky unique among roosters - he's also quite the activist. He was voted "Activist of the Year" in 2008, after participating in the "Walk for the Farm Animals," Critical Mass, EarthSave, the KFC Chicken Protest, and serving as Grand Marshal in the King Mango Strut parade. (Wow! Busy rooster!)
Unfortunately, Mr. Clucky is similar to other roosters in his propensity to start crowing at 6am, so Miami Beach is trying to run him out of town using the "keeping a farm animal" ordinance.
News story HERE.
Mr. Clucky's website HERE.
Mr. Clucky is a rooster that rides around town on the
handlebars of Mark Buckley's bicycle.That's not the only thing that makes Mr. Clucky unique among roosters - he's also quite the activist. He was voted "Activist of the Year" in 2008, after participating in the "Walk for the Farm Animals," Critical Mass, EarthSave, the KFC Chicken Protest, and serving as Grand Marshal in the King Mango Strut parade. (Wow! Busy rooster!)
Unfortunately, Mr. Clucky is similar to other roosters in his propensity to start crowing at 6am, so Miami Beach is trying to run him out of town using the "keeping a farm animal" ordinance.
News story HERE.
Mr. Clucky's website HERE.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Teaching Bike Safety - Who?
One of my ongoing gripes is that there is absolutely NO widespread availability of education for road-going bike riders. And unfortunately, some never get educated about what's proper and improper; or worse yet, they get bad information.
(Somebody has probably told all those wrong-way doofuses that, like pedestrians, they're somehow safer if they're riding towards oncoming traffic. You'd think that their on-street experience would quickly make them realize how many additional hazards they expose themselves and other roadway users to. If you're not observant enough to recognize it... maybe you don't belong on public roadways.)
But... who should take the lead in an education effort?
Supposedly everybody who possesses a driver's license has taken both a written test and a driving test. (Which would suggest competence. However we've all observed that while some licensed drivers are extremely competent, others really have no business on the road, licensed or not. Humorist Dave Barry observes that "We all share one thing in common - we think we are better-than-average drivers.")
Since you don't need a bicycle operator's license, there is no equivalent written or practical test. Thus you lose a bit of incentive to learn safe cycling skills.
Also - and I believe this is significant - since the police rarely enforce bicycle laws unless an accident is involved, there is also not the incentive to ride legally and safely to avoid getting a traffic ticket. (The police are totally responsible for that situation; I sincerely wish they'd prioritize bike traffic at the same level as motor traffic. If tickets were regularly handed out to cyclists who break the law, I can almost guarantee more compliance would follow, and subsequently fewer bike-involved accidents.)
What would my suggestion be?
I would like to see the police teach a 2-hour OUTSIDE bike safety course, maybe starting in 4th or 5th grade, and every year up through high school. Geared to the level of the students. They could do it in the autumn while the weather is still beautiful, and resume in the spring. Outside - where safety practices could be demonstrated and perhaps even rehearsed - would be much more effective than a "theory lecture" in a gym or classroom.
Portland is doing something different - the Portland Water Bureau is sponsoring a "Bike/Truck Safety Event" on Saturday, June 6th. (Info HERE.) The event is intended to "spotlight safety concerns of bicycles and large trucks sharing the road." The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is helping; evidently they did one last September that was quite successful.
(Hmmm... who woulda thunk that the Water Bureau could teach bike safety? That seems unlikely, but also demonstrates some "out of the box" thinking. I like it!)
(Somebody has probably told all those wrong-way doofuses that, like pedestrians, they're somehow safer if they're riding towards oncoming traffic. You'd think that their on-street experience would quickly make them realize how many additional hazards they expose themselves and other roadway users to. If you're not observant enough to recognize it... maybe you don't belong on public roadways.)
But... who should take the lead in an education effort?
Supposedly everybody who possesses a driver's license has taken both a written test and a driving test. (Which would suggest competence. However we've all observed that while some licensed drivers are extremely competent, others really have no business on the road, licensed or not. Humorist Dave Barry observes that "We all share one thing in common - we think we are better-than-average drivers.")
Since you don't need a bicycle operator's license, there is no equivalent written or practical test. Thus you lose a bit of incentive to learn safe cycling skills.
Also - and I believe this is significant - since the police rarely enforce bicycle laws unless an accident is involved, there is also not the incentive to ride legally and safely to avoid getting a traffic ticket. (The police are totally responsible for that situation; I sincerely wish they'd prioritize bike traffic at the same level as motor traffic. If tickets were regularly handed out to cyclists who break the law, I can almost guarantee more compliance would follow, and subsequently fewer bike-involved accidents.)
What would my suggestion be?
I would like to see the police teach a 2-hour OUTSIDE bike safety course, maybe starting in 4th or 5th grade, and every year up through high school. Geared to the level of the students. They could do it in the autumn while the weather is still beautiful, and resume in the spring. Outside - where safety practices could be demonstrated and perhaps even rehearsed - would be much more effective than a "theory lecture" in a gym or classroom.
Portland is doing something different - the Portland Water Bureau is sponsoring a "Bike/Truck Safety Event" on Saturday, June 6th. (Info HERE.) The event is intended to "spotlight safety concerns of bicycles and large trucks sharing the road." The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is helping; evidently they did one last September that was quite successful.
(Hmmm... who woulda thunk that the Water Bureau could teach bike safety? That seems unlikely, but also demonstrates some "out of the box" thinking. I like it!)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Living in Luxury
Luxury: a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort; sumptuous environment; something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary; an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease.
What do you consider a luxury?
For some, it's a waterfront mansion in the Hamptons, a yacht, a vacation bungalow in the Bahamas, and a private jet to get there comfortably.
Maybe a ski vacation at Sun Valley. Or Switzerland.
For probably 90% of the world's population, having readily-available clean and safe water would be a luxury.
In other words, "luxury" is largely dependent on a person's current environment and status.
"Luxury" might be a Mercedes-Benz or Escalade or Lexus. (Especially if it's somebody else behind the wheel!)
For me, it's luxurious to be able to pass every gas station. To be able to ride along the banks of the Boise River every single day, on my way home from work. (Pleasure... satisfaction...)
My front brake failed unexpectedly over the weekend. I thought how satisfying and easy (characteristics of "luxury") it was, to be able to fix it with a $2 replacement cable, in ten minutes.
Yep - my bicycle transportation provides me with luxury that few people will ever realize. (And enables me to leave a meaningful amount of money in the bank, for other indulgences or necessities.)
What do you consider a luxury?
For some, it's a waterfront mansion in the Hamptons, a yacht, a vacation bungalow in the Bahamas, and a private jet to get there comfortably.
Maybe a ski vacation at Sun Valley. Or Switzerland.
For probably 90% of the world's population, having readily-available clean and safe water would be a luxury.
In other words, "luxury" is largely dependent on a person's current environment and status.
"Luxury" might be a Mercedes-Benz or Escalade or Lexus. (Especially if it's somebody else behind the wheel!)
For me, it's luxurious to be able to pass every gas station. To be able to ride along the banks of the Boise River every single day, on my way home from work. (Pleasure... satisfaction...)
My front brake failed unexpectedly over the weekend. I thought how satisfying and easy (characteristics of "luxury") it was, to be able to fix it with a $2 replacement cable, in ten minutes.
Yep - my bicycle transportation provides me with luxury that few people will ever realize. (And enables me to leave a meaningful amount of money in the bank, for other indulgences or necessities.)
May riding report
I accumulated 602 miles, riding on 31 days during May.
Probably 100+ of those miles were with the BOB trailer in tow, so I could haul cargo of various sorts - everything from tomato pony packs, to an assortment of shovels and rakes for a landscaping project, to a couple bags of junky tools from Harbor Freight Tools. (I've got a weakness for their sales. I buy stuff there that I know won't last, or that will never get heavy use... the stuff that I'll probably only use 10 times over the rest of my life.) Of course, my favorite "Bob cargo" continues to be my marvelous granddaughter, Mackenzie. I'd guess she went 50+ miles with me in May - mostly trips up and down the Boise River, to various parks and playgrounds, and as a participant in the "Pedal Power Parade."
Probably 100+ of those miles were with the BOB trailer in tow, so I could haul cargo of various sorts - everything from tomato pony packs, to an assortment of shovels and rakes for a landscaping project, to a couple bags of junky tools from Harbor Freight Tools. (I've got a weakness for their sales. I buy stuff there that I know won't last, or that will never get heavy use... the stuff that I'll probably only use 10 times over the rest of my life.) Of course, my favorite "Bob cargo" continues to be my marvelous granddaughter, Mackenzie. I'd guess she went 50+ miles with me in May - mostly trips up and down the Boise River, to various parks and playgrounds, and as a participant in the "Pedal Power Parade."
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