Bikeboard

bikeboard@lists.bikelover.org

2521 discussions

Reaction on Uphill Struggle
by John Lozier 18 Dec '07

18 Dec '07

Natalie Ramsland is a triathlete and bike builder in Portland, Oregon, also my niece. This is her response when I told her about Uphill Struggle. John Begin forwarded message: > From: "Natalie Ramsland" <natalie(a)sweetpeabicycles.com> > Date: December 18, 2007 12:51:47 PM EST > To: "John Lozier" <jl(a)harpingforharmony.org> > Subject: Re: Hello from Portland! > > Hi John - > > I love the idea of the Uphill Struggle. It made me think that it > might be fun to organize a ride in which there were two options: 1) > get from one place to another by the shortest distance possible, > elevation be damned or 2) get to the same destination taking > whatever detours necessary to make the climb as gentle as possible > and have stops along the way. That way you can demonstrate that > biking doesn't have to be something for self-identified athletes > alone. A relaxed approach can be celebrated, too. > > There is a race that happens in Portland called the SS Pussycat > (all women's alleycat race) which has two racing options. You can > race for speed, which is, well, speedy. Or you can compete in the > spirit category, and you will be doing various fun challenges along > the way. > > It also brings to mind the Tequila Shortcut at the Single Speed > Cyclocross Championships a couple weeks back. There was a shortcut > in the race course (which is done in laps) - the only catch was > that if you were going to take the shortcut you had to take a shot > of tequila every time you came through. > > So, needless to say, I think you could have a lot of fun with > this. Let me know if you need help brainstorming crazy ideas! I am > full of them :) > > Love, > Natalie > > On 12/18/07, John Lozier <jl(a)harpingforharmony.org> wrote: > Hi, Natalie, > > We're at 345 Virginia Avenue, Morgantown WV 26505. > > I've never been very good about sending holiday cards. However, I > think of you and Austin quite often. I recently took a class in > Effective Cycling. You probably know about the American League of > Bicyclists. Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as > drivers of vehicles. A young woman in the group is a triathlete, > made me think of you. > > We're beginning to plan for an activity that I'm calling the "Uphill > Struggle." The whole concept is "It's and Uphill Struggle to get > people thinking of bicycles as a form of transportation." > > Here's a blurb I shared with our Bike Board (I'm a member): > > Max's Uphill Struggle is the insight of a child (Max, my 7-year-old > neighbor) who first learns to ride on the flat, then downhill, then > confronts (and meets) the challenge of UPHILL. > > This is, of course, the challenge faced by folks of all ages when > they consider biking in Morgantown. > > (Incidentally, the Uphill Struggle is a metaphor for life itself, > isn't it?) > > The idea would be to have a sponsored bike event that involves riding > uphill. Any hill could work. > > > On Dec 18, 2007, at 12:25 PM, Natalie Ramsland wrote: > > > Hi John, > > > > I have a holiday card I want to send to you and Kitty, but I don't > > think I have your address since you moved. Can you send that to me? > > > > Love, > > Natalie > >

2 1

Copenhagen
by Frank Gmeindl 17 Dec '07

17 Dec '07

Bicycle Board Members, Copenhagen is one of those places that we usually think of as cycling paradise. A 9-page report at http://www.trafitec.dk/pub/Road <http://www.trafitec.dk/pub/Road%20safety%20and%20percieved%20risk%20of%20cy cle%20tracks%20and%20lanes%20in%20Copenhagen.pdf> safety and percieved risk of cycle tracks and lanes in Copenhagen.pdf summarizes their experience with rail trails and bike lanes. (They call them cycle tracks and cycle lanes.) Based on more than 1,500 traffic counts, construction of cycle tracks increased bicycle traffic 18-20% and reduced car traffic 9-10%. Cycle lanes increased bicycle traffic 5-7% but didn't change car traffic. Based on interviews of more than 1,000 cyclists, almost 90% perceived that cycle tracks are safe and more than 80% perceived that bike lanes are safe while only 55% of them perceived that cycling in mixed traffic is safe. Based on data from more than 8,500 accidents, between intersections (same direction traffic flow), cycle tracks reduced accidents and injuries by 10% and 4% respectively but at intersections, cycle tracks increased accidents and injuries by 18%. Cycle lanes increased injuries 15%. I found Table 1 in the report most interesting. While cycle tracks reduced car against same-direction-cyclist accidents 63%, they increased right-turning car against cyclist accidents 129% and increased left-turning car against cyclist accidents 48%. The report substantiates a dilemma we have to wrestle with: 1) people perceive bike paths and bike lanes to be safer than riding in traffic; 2) more people ride bikes when they have bike paths and bike lanes; 3) bike paths and bike lanes lead to a disproportionate increase in accidents and injuries. If you don't like these statistics, there are some cool pictures of Copenhagen in the article, too;) 4ank

1 0

Law Moose Monday 6:30
by Frank Gmeindl 16 Dec '07

16 Dec '07

Bicycle Board Members, Anyone planning to participate in next Monday's Law klatch at the Moose I highly recommend you read the article "Equality for Cyclists" in this month's LAB /American Bicyclist/ magazine. It provides a list of discriminatory bicycle laws and how they negatively effect the Bicycle Friendly Community 5 E's: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Encouragement and Evaluation. I'll bring some copies of the article if you haven't received your /American Bicyclist/ yet. Frank

2 1

Just for fun
by director 16 Dec '07

16 Dec '07

Good morning, A friend from Working Bikes in Chicago sent us this video. It will be entered in the Google "Innovate or Die" contest. We have one of these generators at our shop, I'm not sure where they got the LED streetlights though. bikeboard(a)cheat.org

2 1

[Fwd: [monbikeclub] tour of america coming to morgantown!?]
by Frank Gmeindl 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Bicycle Board Members, This looks like the Tour of America that Don Spencer described at the last Bicycle Board meeting. http://thetourofamerica.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 Frank -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [monbikeclub] tour of america coming to morgantown!? Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:01:39 -0800 (PST) From: ricky denis <ricky3801(a)yahoo.com> Reply-To: monbikeclub(a)yahoogroups.com To: monbikeclub(a)yahoogroups.com http://thetourofamerica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&It… <http://thetourofamerica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&It…> Ricky __o _ \<_ (_)/(_) __________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ <http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ> __._,_.___ Messages in this topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/message/4894;_ylc=X3oDMTM0ZzBrdGd…> (2) Reply (via web post) <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwbTBhanV1BF9TAzk…> | Start a new topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJlNjZhbDh0BF9TAzk…> Messages <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJlcWFoaTYyBF9…> | Files <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/files;_ylc=X3oDMTJmbnEydmw2BF9TAz…> | Photos <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/photos;_ylc=X3oDMTJlYWprYWNtBF9TA…> | Links <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/links;_ylc=X3oDMTJma2c2cTRrBF9TAz…> | Database <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/database;_ylc=X3oDMTJjaGE3NzJzBF9…> | Polls <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/polls;_ylc=X3oDMTJmY2Zvcm0xBF9TAz…> | Members <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJlMXJtZjcwBF9T…> | Calendar <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJkMW5zZW9wBF9…> MARKETPLACE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Earn your degree in as few as 2 years - Advance your career with an AS, BS, MS degree <http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12mcbq5h9/M=571476.11873916.12370328.11509771/D…> - College-Finder.net. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fed Lowers Rates Again <http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12miaout7/M=571699.11901686.12405080.10835568/D…> - $270,000 Mortgage for $1,498/Mo. No Credit Check Needed No Credit Check Needed - Estimate New Payment <http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12miaout7/M=571699.11901686.12405080.10835568/D…>. Yahoo! Groups <http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkamFmZjY4BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzYzN…> Change settings via the Web <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJmM3E0dm1qBF9TAzk…> (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest <mailto:monbikeclub-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email%20Delivery:%20Digest> | Switch format to Traditional <mailto:monbikeclub-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change%20Delivery%20Format:%20Traditional> Visit Your Group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub;_ylc=X3oDMTJkMzJsYnNwBF9TAzk3MzU5…> | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> | Unsubscribe <mailto:monbikeclub-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=> Recent Activity * 2 New Members <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJma3QxdTJqBF9T…> Visit Your Group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monbikeclub;_ylc=X3oDMTJlbWc1bWIxBF9TAzk3MzU5…> Y! Sports for TV Access it for free <http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jaf9sha/M=493064.10729671.11699924.9977693/D=…> Get Fantasy Sports stats on your TV. Yahoo! News Fashion News <http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jmbvmu8/M=493064.10729659.12153716.8674578/D=…> What's the word on fashion and style? Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal <http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12js6r9qu/M=493064.10729649.11333340.8674578/D=…> Guides, news, advice & more. . __,_._,___

1 0

Max's Uphill Struggle
by John Lozier 09 Dec '07

09 Dec '07

This note is to put folks in touch with Max's mom, Laura Kemp-Rye, for purpose of discussing the idea of Max's Uphill Struggle. I missed the Bike Board meeting, but got some feedback from Nick Hein and Don Spencer. I gather that the idea is getting some traction. This morning I met briefly with Max and his mom. Max related a little about how he started riding a bike at age 4, and about riding uphill. Laura expressed interest and willingness to attend a Bike Board meeting and perhaps work with a committee to plan this event. (below I'm pasting my draft write-up of the concept.) John Lozier Max's Uphill Struggle is the insight of a child (Max) who first learns to ride on the flat, then downhill, then confronts (and meets) the challenge of UPHILL. This is, of course, the challenge faced by folks of all ages when they consider biking in Morgantown. (Incidentally, the Uphill Struggle is a metaphor for life itself, isn't it?) The idea would be to have a sponsored bike event that involves riding uphill. Any hill could work. My ideal would be up Monongahela Blvd, then down to Star City Park. Access to the trail there would make a convenient end. This would require involvement of both municipalities (Star City and Morgantown) plus probably the State Police.

1 0

Max's Uphill Struggle
by John Lozier 06 Dec '07

06 Dec '07

Max is seven years old, my neighbor across the street. Max came up with this idea, and it has been discussed already by some of us (Frank, Nick, Bill Reger, maybe others, plus some cyclists who are not on the Bike Board). As I express it, Max's Uphill Struggle is the insight of a child who first learns to ride on the flat, then downhill, then confronts (and meets) the challenge of UPHILL. This is, of course, the challenge faced by folks of all ages when they consider biking in Morgantown. (Incidentally, the Uphill Struggle is a metaphor for life itself, isn't it?) The idea would be to have a sponsored bike event that involves riding uphill. Any hill could work. My ideal would be up Monongahela Blvd, then down to Star City Park. Access to the trail there would make a convenient end. This would require involvement of both municipalities (Star City and Morgantown) plus probably the State Police. I think it is very important to keep Max in front, and to include him (and his mom, Laura Kemp-Rye) in the development of this idea, perhaps inviting him to talk with the Bike Board. I can't be at the Bike Board meeting today, but since it is on the agenda this is my input. John

1 0

Membership
by Frank Gmeindl 05 Dec '07

05 Dec '07

Bicycle Board Members, As you know, tomorrow night, we will select a replacement for Jim Rye. Besides his bicycle-commuter savvy, strong emphasis on social, environmental and health impacts of our transportation systems, and generosity to do whatever needed done, Jim brought to the Bicycle Board another very valuable asset that will be challenging to replace: personal rapport with Bobbie Roberts, the head of WVU transportation and public safety, and Ron Eck, Chairman of the Traffic Commission, WVU Civil Engineering professor and general alternative transportation expert and activist. Between now and tomorrow night's meeting, when you're thinking of candidates, please try to identify people who can have a substantial impact on realizing our vision of being able to bicycle safely and fearlessly anywhere, anytime for any reason. For example, having authoritative representatives of WVU, property developers and the police on our Board would surely help us achieve our goals. See you tomorrow! Frank

1 0

Agenda for this Thursday's 6-Dec meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 04 Dec '07

04 Dec '07

Bicycle Board members, Please find attached a zip folder. The zip folder contains 4 documents: 1. Agenda for this Thursday's meeting. 2. Minutes of our last meeting. 3. A list of replacement candidates that we defined the last time we replaced some members. (We will add to this list and prioritize the candidates.) 4. A list of the goals that we defined last January. (Two topics on the agenda pertain to these: Maps and Law.) See you Thursday! Frank

2 1

[FW: Transportation Enhancement Grant]
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Dec '07

01 Dec '07

Bicycle Board Members, The state has approved our intent-to-apply form for a $60K grant to support a Greater Morgantown Effective Cycling Education Project. Now, we have about 1 month to write and submit through the City a detailed grant proposal. Attached is the approval letter and the intent-to-apply form that we submitted. We are getting traction! Frank ________________________________________ From: Jeff Mikorski [jmikorski(a)cityofmorgantown.org] Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:11 PM To: Frank D. Gmeindl Subject: Transportation Enhancement Grant Frank, We received an approval letter for the submission of an Effective Cycling Education Project application. Attached is the letter and a comment sheet from the reviewers. Grant applications are due January 15, 2008. We need a few days to review before it can be sent. If you need anything please contact me. Sincerely, Jeff Mikorski Assistant City Manager 389 Spruce Street Morgantown, WV 26505 304-284-7404

1 0

Jump to page:

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

Bikeboard