Posted by Henry Scott on January 18, 2012
NAME: Habitat Half Century Bike Ride
SPONSOR: Fulton County Habitat for Humanity
DATE: April 28, 2012
TIME: 9:00 AM
LOCATION: Rochester City Park on Park Rd
LENGTH: 10, 20 & 50 mile rides.
See below for a map to the starting location and additional details, including contact information.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Group Rides: Special | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on January 13, 2012
The Southwest Michigan Plan Commission has just published a map that can help cyclists find the best places to ride. The map shows the low volume roads that cyclists prefer in green. It also highlights roads with a wide shoulder or bike lane. There’s even a listing of state and area parks with a listing of biking and other facilities and you can download it all from www.michigan.gov/mdot-biking. At that site, you can also download maps and listings from other parts of Michigan and get loads of information on biking in the thumb state.
Because of their size, the maps are pretty cumbersome to look at on line, so you may want to get a hard copy. By this time next month, the maps should also be in the hands of Michigan bike shops, or you can order them from MDOT for $5.00 each, from the web site mentioned above.
Posted in Facilities, Infrastructure, News, Routes | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on January 6, 2012
I’ve been asked by a number of people how they can help get this bill passed. I’ve put together an advocates toolkit that will make citizen involvement easier. Click TOOLKIT to get started. If you have a problem with the links not working as expected, you can download the toolkit by clicking the “Download original” button at the top of the screen. That will make the toolkit more friendly.
Posted in Advocacy, News | 2 Comments »
Posted by Paul Taylor on January 3, 2012
Senator Broden has sponsored a 3 foot passing bill in the Indiana General Assembly. It is slated to be assigned to the Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters.
Here’s the legal synopsis of the bill: “Provides that it is a Class C infraction for a person driving a vehicle overtaking a bicycle to not allow at least three feet of clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle and not return to the original lane until the vehicle is safely clear of the bicycle.”
If you want details, or want to follow the political wrangles of the bill, you can do so at http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&doctype=SB&docno=0101.
This is the third year that Senator Broden has sponsored a bicycle safety bill. Two years ago there was an ombudsmen bill with many minor provisions. It nearly passed but died in the reconciliation process between the two chambers of the legislature. Last years bill never got to the assembly floor, probably because it included a mandatory helmet provision and received little or no support from the bicycling community.
This year’s effort is a single issue bill: 3 feet please. Tim Maher said “Hopefully this is our year.” Tim has been among the strong supporters of Sen. Broden’s bike safety efforts.
As a follower of biking issues, I am reminded of the state of Maine. They introduced bicycle safety bills for seven (count ‘em 7) consecutive years before a bill was passed. Maine is now one of the most bicycle friendly states in the U.S.
Posted in Advocacy, News | Tagged: Legislation | 6 Comments »
Posted by Paul Taylor on December 7, 2011
Another biking and walking issue is brewing. The NIMBYs (Not in My Back Yard) and BANANAs (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything) are flexing their muscle in Granger, Indiana: even considering legal action.
Since 2005, plans have been underway to build multiuse paths in Granger. In recent years, most residents were happy to see their area get new schools and new libraries, but they realized that kids couldn’t get to these places unless Mom or Dad drove them. What a downer! So the push for a walking and biking infrastructure was on. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy | 2 Comments »
Posted by Henry Scott on November 30, 2011
The December 2011 – January 2012 issue of Race Play Michiana (RPM) is now available for download. Here’s a direct link to a downloadable PDF from the RPM website: LINK.
Issue highlights from RPM Editor Jan Spalding: This issue includes a Fit for the Fit gift guide featuring stories from RPM retail advertisers and gift ideas from local stores, gyms and services. Also, Ann Amico Moran contributed a great story on Michiana’s Dynamic Duos — five area couples who workout and work for the community. Winter runs, cross-country skiing, a report from the PanAm Games, water intake and plenty more fill the issue.
Check it out!
Posted in News | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Phil G-E on November 22, 2011
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Henry Scott on November 13, 2011
Despite being a fan of fenders, I’ve recently contemplated removing them from my Dahon Boardwalk S1 folding bicycle. Normally I don’t worry about weight for utility bikes, but to take the “monkey bike” on the South Shore not only must I fold it up, but usually I have to place it in the overhead luggage racks as well. At 31.5 pounds, however, this can be an unpleasant task on a moving train. Accordingly, I’ve been motivated to lighten the monkey bike, and I’ve been thinking about ditching the fenders.
Yesterday, however, convinced me to seek other solutions.
Posted in Commentary, Gear | Tagged: Monkey bike chronicles | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on November 8, 2011
What: News Conference and special ribbon cutting
When: Thursday, November 10, 2011 10:30 am
Where: Corner of Riverside and Angela
Purpose: Environment, Transportation, Bicycling, and Recreation are the winners. The event will mark the completion of Phase 1 of the Diamond Avenue Storm Sewer project and the official opening of the city’s newest and greenest roundabout. Those arriving by car will be able to park in the new off-street parking area at Brownfield Park which also received a number of upgrades during this project. Please enter the area from the west – Portage/Angela or Woodward/Angela.
Cyclists can simply arrive via either Riverside Trail, Angela, or the North Shore bike lanes. Bicycling advocates are hoping there will be a large contingent of cyclists on hand, which will increase cycling awareness.
Posted in Advocacy, Events, Infrastructure | Leave a Comment »
Jerry Hinnefeld
Henry Scott
judithrobert
Jeff Nixa
memooney
Adam Bee
bspitzer
Nate Barnett
Paul Taylor
Danny Graber
lhierony
Phil G-E
petercolan
Jim Moffitt
Judy Lee
2wheelpeddler
dickkuehl
Can I ride my bike on the sidewalk?
Posted by Paul Taylor on November 22, 2011
South Bend has the most straight forward ordinance: “No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within any business district.” Interestingly, it fails to define a ‘business district’. At least I couldn’t find a definition.
Chicago has the same ‘business district’ restriction as South Bend, but adds some complexity. Adults (and children 12 years and older) can’t ride on any sidewalk anywhere. There are a few exceptions, and they will be so indicated with bicycle route signage.
Elkhart is pretty straight forward. Bikes are permitted on sidewalks except in a clearly defined area of downtown. See the above map. Interestingly, Elkhart just redefined the area: until last month, the restricted area was about three times the size of the current district. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Commentary, Infrastructure | Tagged: accidents, Law | Leave a Comment »