It sounds like the Velib self-service bike program is so popular in Paris that people are just loving those bikes to death.
Of the 20,000 bicycles set out when the program launched less than two years ago, 7,800 have disappeared and 11,600 have been damaged and vandalized.
A TimesOnline story says some of the damage is outright malacious. Other damage is the result of wild stunts that users perform.
In the YouTube video above, the bikes are definitely pushed to their limits, although the filmmaker assures us, “No Velib used in this video was maltreated …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/10/the-use-and-abuse-of-paris-velib-bicycles/
While reading that sharrow road markings were making their way to some bicycle routes in Arkansas, I was surprised to learn that they're not yet a federally sanctioned marking for roads.
Sharrows are shared lane markings designed to remind motorists that bicyclists have the right to use the roads and will be present. Many bicycling advocates prefer them to bicycles lanes.
First used in Europe about 20-30 years ago, they're becoming more common in many US cities.
The markings, however, are just now under official review for the US Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Because they're not yet officially included in the manual …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/09/sharrow-use-on-urban-bicycle-routes-still-under-review/
Proposed changes to the US Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices includes adding the shared lane marking, or sharrow, on routes to remind motorists that bicyclists have rights to the streets and will be present in to the lanes. It's Figure 9C-9 in the proposed MUTCD changes. See more changes and links at the MUTCD …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/09/proposed-standard-sharrow-design/
With less than a week to go before the Amgen Tour of California — it starts in Sacramento on Saturday — I'm curious who you all think will wear the golden jersey on the top step of the podium in Escondido when the race ends Feb. 22.
See the poll at the top of the right column and simply pick your favorite. I'll announce the results in a couple of days.
The 9-day race features the return to pro cycling on American soil by Lance Armstrong. Will he go for the golden jersey or continue to test his conditioning and work in support of 2-time defending champ and Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer?
The inaugural Tour of California champion Floyd Landis will be on hand to launch his return to cycling …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/08/whos-your-pick-to-win-the-2009-tour-of-california/
Here's the leader's jersey from the 2009 Tour of California. It's golden, for the Golden State. The race rolls out from Feb. 14-22.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/08/leaders-jersey-for-2009-tour-of-california/
Bicycle advocacy attorney Bob Mionske is bringing an end to his long-running “Legally Speaking” column that has appeared in print and online at VeloNews for many years.
A former bicycle racer and now a bicycling rights attorney in Portland, Mionske's columns regularly reported on legal and judicial shortcomings that created a second-class stature for cyclists versus motorists in the eyes of the law.
In his last column at VeloNews, Mionske looked at the high and low points of bicycle law and how the future looks for bicyclists. I'll touch on the points here, but it's worth your time to check them out in depth at his last Legally Speaking column:
More cyclists on the road — Bicycling is soaring in popularity. Not only are more weekend warriors getting out for rides …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/07/parting-words-from-bob-mionske-at-legally-speaking/
Bob Mionske gives up his column at VeloNews. Continues writing BicycleLaw website and BicycleLaw blog.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/07/bob-mionske/
The Versus cable network is broadcasting two-hour live coverage daily of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California through the end of the bicycle race next Sunday.
Cycling commentators Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen will provide coverage as Lance Armstrong to the peloton on US soil.
Also check out the Amgen Tour of California's Tour Tracker for video streaming during the race …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/07/watching-amgen-tour-of-california-on-versus/
The Alki Rubicon bicycle racing club is inviting anyone and everyone who knew Kevin Black to participate in a memorial bicycle ride and potluck gathering at Golden Gardens park on Sunday.
Kevin died on Wednesday in a collision with a van in Ballard. He was an avid cyclist who belonged to the Alki Rubicon Racing club and worked as a molecular neurobiologist for the UW Department of Physiology and Biophysics.
The following details are posted at the Alki Rubicon website …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/06/seattle-services-and-memorial-bike-ride-for-fallen-cyclist-kevin-black/
If you've ever traveled by bicycle, you'll know that while some motels or campgrounds encourage or at least tolerate cyclo-tourists, others are reluctant to take us in.
My touring buddy and I have been turned away from a campground in Colorado (“We don't allow tents,” the owner sniffed) and interrogated by the manager of a rooming house in Kentucky before we were able to stay.
To make it easier for bicyclists to find lodging on their trips, a bicycle advocacy group has launched Bed and Bike America that lists bike-friendly hotels, motels and campgrounds that cater to bicyclists.
The project is just on the ground floor, with just five hotels signed up in the US — Arizona, California, Missouri, Wisconsin, and 1 in Ontario. Let's hope this thing gets going, and I'm sure it will. There are dozens of B&Bs and hostels that have popped up along popular rail-trails and bicycle-touring routes …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/02/06/new-website-lists-lodgings-that-cater-to-bicycle-tourists/
Adventure Cycling Association Trail biking Rails to Trails Conservancy League of American Bicyclists
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