Posted by Paul Taylor on July 22, 2008
Amishland and Lake, a tour based in Howe, IN is a two day tour of Amish countryside and Michigan lakes. Utilizing the Howe Military Academy for ride headquarters the Michiana Bicycle Association is able to offer first rate accommodations.
Gotto http://www.mbabike.com/amish.htm for more information and registration.
Posted in Events, Group Rides: Special | 1 Comment »
Posted by Henry Scott on July 22, 2008
The driver who struck Pat Sawyer from behind was identified in today’s Tribune. According to the Tribune, the recommended charge will be “failure to stop at a traffic accident resulting in death” (LINK).
Posted in News | Tagged: Patrick Sawyer | 2 Comments »
Posted by Henry Scott on July 21, 2008
I can hardly believe it, but Pat passed away during the night. Please visit his website for details and to offer condolences.
Posted in News | Tagged: Patrick Sawyer | 1 Comment »
Posted by Henry Scott on July 19, 2008
Joe Dits wrote an article for today’s South Bend Tribune about resources for riders seeking good local bicycle routes (LINK).
After speaking with him, it occurred to me that it would be useful to have a dedicated page on this website specifically for pointing readers to the relevant resources. Accordingly, I’ve added a new page (with its own tab at the top of this website); the page has a static URL so that it can be conveniently shared with others: http://bikemichiana.org/routes/.
Thanks to Adam and Nate for all of their great work on the map!
Posted in News, Routes | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Henry Scott on July 19, 2008
The following was posted on Pat’s website (thanks for posting the link Nate!) by his wife Nancy:
If you’d like to help me and Patrick right now, please consider how we can make this community more bicycle-friendly and bicycle-safe; a place where both cyclists and drivers can peacefully and safely co-exist. To begin with, community awareness needs to be raised. I want Patrick’s accident to be the catalyst that brings about important changes. Brainstorm what can be done. Please consider writing to the South Bend Tribune’s opinion page on this issue. Here is the contact info:
Voice of the People c/o
The South Bend Tribune
225 W. Colfax Ave.
South Bend, IN 46626E-mail: vop@sbtinfo.com
Fax: (574)236-1765
Posted in Advocacy, News | Tagged: Patrick Sawyer | 3 Comments »
Posted by Nate Barnett on July 18, 2008
Patrick Sawyer’s family has just created a website for people in the community to monitor his recovery.
http://www.patrick.sawyersweb.com/
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted in News | Tagged: Patrick Sawyer | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on July 18, 2008
Here’s an interesting piece from The Wall Street Journal about electric assisted bicycles. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121544526022932743.html?mod=hps_us_editors_picks. Are these things really bicycles? Should they be allowed on bike/ped paths?
Posted in Commentary, Gear | 3 Comments »
Posted by Henry Scott on July 18, 2008
Sad news: Patrick Sawyer, a commuter cyclist and excellent paddler, was hit from behind while biking early Wednesday morning (July 16th). The driver fled the scene. It was a serious accident, but from what I understand Pat will most likely be okay. The South Bend Tribune is covering this on the online edition: LINK. There is also an article at WNDU: LINK. Both are generating mostly positive commentary about the need for better bicycle infrastructure in Michiana.
Update: From what I understand now, the quote from a police officer in the early announcements, “…expected to recover from non-life-threatening injuries” should not be interpreted to suggest that his injuries are minor. Unfortunately, his condition is quite serious.
Update 7/17 @ 7 AM: The Tribune has an excellent article today highlighting Pat’s involvement with and commitment to paddling: LINK.
Update 7/17 Late Evening: WSBT announced this afternoon that the driver has turned himself in: LINK.
Update 7/18 Morning: The Tribune has another nice article this morning including updates on Pat’s condition and comments from his wife, Nancy, stressing the need for more bike-friendly routes in the area: LINK.
Wishing Pat and his family the best…
Posted in Advocacy, News | Tagged: Patrick Sawyer | 3 Comments »
Posted by Adam Bee on July 17, 2008
Two things:
First, the Michiana Bike Map has made major gains recently. NateBarn, who is also a contributor to this blog, has added a lot of nice new roads out to the southwest of South Bend. If you know someone who has a good knowledge of the “bikability” of Michiana area roads and would like to help add roads to the map, please contact us at bikemichiana (at) gmail.com!
The full, automatically updating version of the Michiana Bike Map is at its own website, but here’s a partial sample version:
Second, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission has published bike maps for northwest Indiana. The western portion (Chicago to Beverly Shores) is here, and the eastern portion (MIchigan City to Rolling Prairie and Walkerton) is here. WIth NateBarn’s most recent additions, there is considerable overlap between the NIRPC maps and our own Michiana Bike Map.
As the natural synthesis of the two above items, I’m currently working on mapping a good scenic route all the way from South Bend to Chicago, which should be a good way for determined cyclists to get around the South Shore’s nasty no-bikes-allowed rule. I’ll be sure to post here when it’s finished! (And of course let me know if you’d like to help!)
Posted in Routes | 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
nimbabike
Can Michiana Become a Bicycle-Friendly Community?
Posted by Henry Scott on July 22, 2008
Given Pat’s tragic death, the answer to this question is less clear to me than it was just a week ago. Obviously, our first priority is to grieve and support Nancy and her family. When ready, however, let’s honor Nancy’s request and attempt to make something positive come of this.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged: Patrick Sawyer | 3 Comments »