Administrator and author of Biking Bis. Currently live in the Seattle area; previously Texas, California, Maryland, Georgia and Ohio. Own a Lemond road bike for light riding and Rockhopper for poor weather riding and touring.

Most commented posts

  1. How to enforce 3-foot passing law to protect bicyclists — 51 comments
  2. Washington state lists parks with bike/hike campsites — 20 comments
  3. 10 longest rail-trails for bicycling — John Wayne Pioneer Trail in Washington leads the list — 19 comments
  4. Indiana town says “No” to bicycle tourism — 18 comments
  5. Are bike path bollards an unnecessary hazard? — 17 comments

Author's posts

30 days of biking: Riding a bicycle becomes a routine

Beware of bicycling; it can be habit forming.

That what I concluded as 30 Days of Biking came to a close today.

The scheme was hatched by some cyclists in Minneapolis to get folks out on their bikes in April. Even though I’d been riding all year, I knew there were plenty of dates in April that I wouldn’t get to ride.

I had to use a little ingenuity, but I only missed one ride the entire month.

Even though I regularly run errands on my bike and ride for exercise, 20 to 25 days of bicycling is a good month for me. …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/30/30-days-of-biking-riding-a-bicycle-becomes-a-routine/

Smile hit ‘n’ run driver — you’re on candid camera

A California motorist who is suspected of striking two bicyclists in Berkeley and speeding away has been arrested by police after a bike-mounted video camera captured his license plate number.

The video, posted on YouTube and viewed more than 200,000 times since Thursday, shows the black Acura’s license plate as it strikes Brazilian cyclist Bruno …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/30/smile-hit-n-run-driver-youre-on-candid-camera/

National Bike Challenge: Ride bike, log miles, repeat

What’s the best way to be an ambassador for bicycling? Simply go out and ride your bike.

That’s what I’ve been doing for all but one of the “30 Days of Biking” the past month, and that’s what I plan to do for the National Bike Challenge, which starts Tuesday and last through the end of August.

The idea, unveiled in March at the National Bike Summit 2012 in Washington DC, seeks to sign up 50,000 people as individuals or team members to ride their bicycles 10 million miles from May 1 to Aug. 31..

When I signed up Sunday night, I was No. 12,048, so they have a way to go until they hit their goal. …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/30/national-bike-challenge-ride-bike-log-miles-repeat/

30 days of biking: Coalfield and ‘Gobbler’s Knob’

Some plumbing issues at the house sent me out on my bicycle to a hardware store in search of washers on Saturday. It was no longer a “plumbing emergency,” however, giving me a chance to explore a little bit on the way home.

I started by heading east on Highway 900, part of the old Sunset Highway, between Renton and Issaquah.

This is part of the first automobile highway over Snoqualmie Pass that was dedicated in 1915. It ran through North Bend and Issaquah and around Lake Washington to Seattle.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/29/30-days-of-biking-coalfield-and-gobblers-knob/

Are bike path bollards an unnecessary hazard?

Whenever I used to come across a bollard in a bike trail, I’d get the righteous feeling of ownership that this was my trail; cars cannot get in.

Now I worry that a bicyclist might hit the bollard and suffer an injury. Are bollards safe?

Not always. Experienced bicyclist Giuseppe Maino, 53, died from injuries he suffered when he struck a bollard on the Richland B&O trail in Bellville, Ohio, this week.

Maino was riding at the rear of a group of cyclists …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/27/are-bike-path-bollards-an-unnecessary-hazard/

30 days of biking: Heart of a lion, lungs of a mouse

Here’s the special parking area set aside for bicyclists at the health clinic I visit for my annual check-up.

Even though they’re in the business of improving health, they could certainly do more for those who try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by bicycling.

During my visit, my doctor congratulated me on my low blood pressure and pulse, weight in the normal range, and strong-sounding heart — all results of regular exercise.

Everything was great, until I took a spirometry test, which measures the volume and speed …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/26/30-days-of-biking-heart-of-a-lion/

National Bike Month is on the way: Take if from this kid – you can ride your bike

May is National Bike Month. Get out on your bike. You’ll feel happy of yourself. Just listen to what this little fella in the video has to say about riding a bike.

May 9 is Bike to School Day.

May 14-18 is Bike to Work Week.

May 18 is Bike to Work Day.

You can search for events in your local area by checking the bike month database at League of American Bicyclists.

Here in Seattle …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/25/national-bike-month-is-on-the-way-you-can-ride-your-bike/

30 days of biking: Pedaling through the petals

It’s pleasant enough to ride through trail litter if it consists of tiny white flower petals that have fallen off surrounding trees in the spring.

This shady part of the Lake Washington Loop trail in Newcastle runs within 100 feet of noisy, and often congested, traffic on Interstate 405. I wonder how many would choose this path if they could? …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/24/30-days-of-biking-pedaling-through-the-petals/

30 days of biking: Off the beaten path of Cedar River Trail

Today’s bike ride was to be an out-and-back errand to the video store to exchange movies.

The continued summer-like weather — 70s and clear — distracted me to such an extent, however, that I took a wrong turn on the way home and ended up exploring down by the Cedar River.

Considering this scene, I probably should have picked up “Iron Horse,” instead of “Iron Lady.” Or “Seabiscuit” or “Secretariat.” This reminds me of a day riding through the blue grass country of Kentucky …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/23/30-days-of-biking-off-the-beaten-path-of-cedar-river-trail/

Home bike business threatened in New Hampshire

A 75-year-old man who repairs and sells used bicycles from his home in Portsmouth, N.H., is fighting a cease and desist order from City Hall.

Tony Tzortzakis has been ordered to shut down the bicycle business after a neighbor complained about him storing and selling bicycles outside his home. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/23/home-bike-repair-business-threatened-in-new-hampshire/