There might not be a better opportunity to further the cause for bicycle paths, bike lanes and similar projects for a long time.
When President-elect Barack Obama made a pitch on Saturday for a massive public works construction program to jump-start the economy, he said some spending would go to projects aimed at conserving or expanding energy supplies.
He also talked about creating jobs “by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s.”
Infrastructure? Conserving energy supplies? To me, that says funding bicycle trails, bicycle paths, bicycle racks, marked bicycle routes, and more.
I don't know if that type of “infrastructure” is in Obama's plans right now, but it should be. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is seeking signatures on an “Economic Recovery Petition” that encourages spending on bicycle and pedestrian projects. It reads ….
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/08/obamas-public-works-plan-should-include-bicycle-facilities-heres-a-petition/
There's no photo-finish in determining the largest bicycle-making nation on Earth. China wins by a huge margin with 87 million bicycles produced last year, about two-thirds of all bikes made.
That's nearly a three-fold increase in the past decade, notes the Financial Times. In fact, it's the only country among top bicycle producers to see any increase in that period, according to figures compiled by Earth Policy Institute.
The biggest fall came in the United States, where production dropped from 6 million in 1997 to 300,000 in 2007. But the good news is that a cadre of small companies with a handful of employees continue to make handcrafted bicycles in the U.S. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/07/china-tops-in-bicycle-production-but-handcrafted-bike-industry-alive-and-well-in-us/
Even though I still take frequent bike rides, this is the time of year that I'm not so interested in laying down a lot of mileage. This is when I slow down to explore and poke around, maybe learn some roadside or trailside history.
Cougar Mountain, which lies a few miles east of my house, is a good destination for this. I've written about the old coal mining industry that thrived there at the turn of the century; this past week I've been learning about its role in the Cold War defense of Seattle.
Today the mountain is a mix of flashy, big box homes and golf courses and the 3,000-acre Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Although the park's trails are closed to bicycling, the two Cold War-era military bases are accessible by short dirt roads from residential streets …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/07/bicycling-back-into-the-cold-war-on-cougar-mountainnovember-stats/
Remnants of Cold War-era military bases east of Seattle are now part of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/07/checking-the-view-from-anti-aircraft-peak/
Here's another in a series of photos posted by Lance Armstrong over at Twitpic. He's been training in the yellow and black Livestrong kit all week, which makes him easy to identify (click photo for larger version).
Saturday's training ride for Armstrong and Team Astana included a bike ride in the mountains of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
The latest story from the training camp comes from directeur sportif Johan Bruyneel, who has managed 8 Tour de France championships — one with Alberto Contador and seven with Armstrong. Bruyneel told the AP that he has more challenges than just winning races now …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/06/astana-wraps-up-tenerife-training/
It's always a good idea to support your local bike shop, but that's especially the case now.
Bicycle shops that were flying high over the summer when gasoline was $4 a gallon are now struggling as petrol prices drop and the economy heads south.
When you shop, maybe you can find a good deal at a discount store, but what will happen when you need to find someone to tune-up or repair your bicycle and all the small bike shops have closed?
I'd been thinking about the case of a New Haven bike shop owner who had to close one of his stores when I received an email from Mike, the blogger over at bicyclespokesman.com. He said he's trying to start a campaign among cyclists to support their local bicycle shops this holiday season. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/06/now-is-the-time-to-support-your-local-bicycle-shop/
When members of two Virginia bicycle clubs showed up on Afton Mountain a few weeks ago to hand over donations to “Cookie Lady” June Curry, a reporter from public radio station WVTF recorded her comments.
In a radio report, Sandy Hausman tells how the Bike House got started and how June gained her nickname, “Cookie Lady,” way back in 1976.
Now, bicyclists who passed through years before are offering their help. June said:
“Ever since I had my stroke, when I've really needed help, I've got it from bikers. I feel like I owe all of you a great deal …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/05/cookie-lady-june-curry-in-her-own-words/
Daily route maps are available for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California so you can scope out the best vantage point when the cyclists roll past on Feb. 14 – 22.
This will be the 4th edition of the California bicycle race which has flourished in spite of funding woes of similar U.S. races. It marks the domestic return of Lance Armstrong to professional cycling and the opportunity for a three-peat championship for his teammate Levi Leipheimer.
There are a few changes in the overall race that were made since the host cities were first announced in July, although the host cities and number of cycling days remains the same.
The opening Sacramento bike race is no longer considered Stage 1, but is a 2.4-mile prologue …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/04/2009-tour-of-california-bike-race-finalizes-stages/
The longest Tour of California ever at 750 miles over 9 days of cycling. Map at Tour of California website.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/04/2009-tour-of-california-map/
Legendary mountain biker Jacquie Phelan poses for her “Unmitigated Gal” calendar for 2009. Available at Lulu Marketplace.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/12/04/jacquie-phelan-striking-a-pose/
Adventure Cycling Association Trail biking Rails to Trails Conservancy League of American Bicyclists
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