Author's posts

3 national bike advocacy groups propose merger

The leadership of three bicycle advocacy groups announced Wednesday that they're recommending a unification plan “to more effectively support and advance bicycling in the United States.”

The three are the League of American Bicyclists, Alliance for Biking & Walking and Bikes Belong.

A final decision is expected by September. If the boards of directors of all three organizations ratify the plan, the new organization (no name has been proposed) would launch in 2013 …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/23/3-national-bike-advocacy-groups-propose-merger/

Chilly Hilly bike ride should live up to its reputation on Sunday

If weather forecasters are accurate, Sunday's 40th annual Chilly Hilly bike ride should hold true to its name.

The Sunday forecast for the Bainbridge Island perimeter bike ride is “mostly cloudy and chilly” with a possibility of showers and a high of 44; wind out of the west at 8 mph.

That's the kind of weather that cyclists expect for Chilly Hilly, along with the 2,675 feet of elevation gain over the rolling 33 miles course. The photo at left is from 2007, a cold wet day.

Of course, cyclists didn't complain …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/22/chilly-hilly-bike-ride-should-live-up-to-its-reputation-on-sunday/

Recalls: Fuji's Saratoga cruiser bicycles; Shimano's PRO Atherton handlebar stems

Fuji is recalling 10,500 women's Saratoga bicycles after receiving reports that the downtube can break, causing falls and injuries.

The company and US Consumer Product Safety Commission urges owners to stop riding the cruiser-style bicycles and return them to Fuji dealers for a replacement frame.

The company, through Philadelphia-based importer Advanced Sports, says at least 12 bike frames have broken. The failures caused two injuries, including one head injury that required 20 stitches to close ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/22/recalls-fujis-saratoga-cruiser-bicycles-shimanos-pro-atherton-handlebar-stems/

Around the world bicycle race begins in London

Nine endurance bicyclists rolled out of London on Saturday for the first-ever around-the-world bicycle race.

Just two days after leaving, the cyclists on the World Cycle Racing Grand Tour already are spread across western Europe; one is in Morocco. A 10th cyclist departed from the Isle of Man.

They're seeking to complete their globe-girdling rides by the July 27 start of the Olympics Games in London. Perhaps they'll set a Guinness World Record along the way.

Originally, the race was conceived by Vin Cox, a British cyclist …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/20/around-the-world-bicycle-race-begins-in-london/

Seattle map shows 5-year span of traffic-related bike crashes

Justin Mayo at the Seattle Times created this useful interactive map showing the locations of all traffic-related bicycle crashes from 2007 to 2011.

Posted on Saturday, the map shows larger dots for multiple crashes and red dots to locate fatalities. Based on data from the Seattle Department of Transportation, this could be a tool to help people find bicycle routes that need special attention.

An accompanying article reports 1,847 traffic-related bicycle crashes between 2007 and 2011 in which 10 bicycles died. …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/19/seattle-map-shows-5-year-span-of-traffic-related-bike-crashes/

Raising money for AIDS/HIV treatment on STP bike ride

Folks who ride their in the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic do so for many reasons — bragging rights, setting a personal best or simply experiencing an iconic Northwest cycling event.

But some use the 204-mile bike ride — in one or two days — as a fund-raising challenge for their favorite charity.

This year, the Cascade AIDS Project is forming a group — Team Ride4CAP — to train and ride STP together …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/18/raising-money-for-aidshiv-treatment-on-stp-bike-ride/

Ride for CAP logo

Cascade AIDS Project is sponsoring a cycling team at the Seattle to Portland bicycle classic  to raise money for their programs.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/18/ride-for-cap-logo/

Vancouver, Washington-man preparing for perimeter bicycle tour

When David Jones set out at age 55 on a cross-country bicycle tour in 2010, he admits that he had no idea what he was getting into.

A frequent jogger, Jones found that long-distance bicycle touring required a whole different skill set.

Older and wiser, the Vancouver, Wash., man plans to set off on a 12,000-mile bike tour around the perimeter of the US starting this spring.

His goal is to raise $100,000 for Share, a nonprofit that serves the homeless and hungry ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/16/vancouver-washington-man-preparing-for-perimeter-bicycle-tour/

David Jones

David Jones near the completion of the cross-country bicycle tour in 2010. From his Rolling Across America blog.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/16/david-jones/

Time-lapse video of Sunday's Seattle Bike Swap

Never been to the Seattle Bike Swap?

Here's what you missed on Sunday. David Stern shot and posted this time-lapse video of the show at the Titanium Sporkestra YouTube page.

You'll see some hot and heavy negotiating for bicycles and gear going on in the foreground.

And as the video rolls toward its conclusion, you'll see what they mean by …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/15/time-lapse-video-of-sundays-seattle-bike-swap/