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Transportation bill torpedoes bicycle and pedestrian funding

The money for a lot of those bicycle lanes and paths we've come to enjoy over the years could become extinct in a new bill introduced on Tuesday in Congress.

The American Energy Infrastructure Jobs Act is the new multi-year Transportation funding bill, but unlike its predecessors, it doesn't include a penny to pay for bicycle or pedestrian projects.

Bicycle and pedestrian advocacy groups are calling on members to contact their congressmen to put bicycling and pedestrian funding back in the transportation bill.

It seems like we're continually being contacted about threats to bike funding, but that's the nature of Capitol Hill these days. People who bike and walk don't have teams of lobbyists to look after their interests; they have to speak for themselves …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/31/transportation-bill-torpedoes-bicycle-and-pedestrian-funding/

Pennsylvania passes safe passing bill to protect bicyclists

A bill sits on the Pennsylvania governor's desk that would make the state the 20th to require that motorists give bicycle riders 3 or more feet when passing.

In Pennsylvania's case, it would be the first to require a 4-foot margin. It also makes it a crime to turn into the path of a bicyclist.

John Boyle, research director for Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia: “We're really happy that the bill has been passed, and we hope that there is an education campaign at some point in the future to help motorists understand exactly what the bill means …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/30/pennsylvania-passes-safe-passing-bill-to-protect-bicyclists/

RAGBRAI and BAK announce 2012 bicycle tour routes

If you're curious about the 2012 routes for RAGBRAI XL (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) or BAK (Biking Across Kansas), then you've been waiting for this weekend.

Organizers of both popular across-state bicycle tours announced their routes, a combined 946 miles of bicycling for anyone lucky enough to do both.

Between the two, they have 77 years of experience ushering bicyclists across their states in hot summer sun, thunder showers, and occasional windstorms — all the while ensuring the cyclists can consume copious quantities of pie.

This is the 40th anniversary of RAGBRAI (July 22-28), a mass bicycle tour of 10,000 people. Perhaps to celebrate the occasion, the ride will be among the least challenging…

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/29/ragbrai-and-bak-announce-2012-bicycle-tour-routes/

Beating the bike lane grit left behind by snowstorms

If you're heading out this weekend for your first bike ride since the recent snowstorms, be prepared to do some bike cleaning when you return home.

The sand and gravel spread to improve traction in the snowstorm — along with all kinds of road debris like tree twigs and glass chards — has found its way to the sides of the road where we tend to ride.

If the road is wet, this stuff sticks to your bike like glue. It will grind down all the parts of your power train and wear grooves in your bike rims when you brake.

Even if it's dry, the glass works …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/28/beating-the-bike-lane-grit-left-behind-by-snowstorms/

Where bicycling boosts local economies — two more cases

Two studies released this week — one in Iowa and the other in bike-friendly Boulder — once again prove that bicycling is good for local economies.

The new studies support similar reports from Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and elsewhere that bicyclists are capable of opening their wallets and spreading around some cash, sometimes at a jaw-dropping rate.

The Iowa report finds that recreational bicycling creates nearly $365 million in direct or indirect economic benefit to the state; $1 million a day. Bicycle commuting adds another $54 million a year.

In Boulder …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/27/where-bicycling-boosts-local-economies-two-more-cases/

Pedal the Plains: an unlikely flat bicycle tour in Colorado

You can probably guess from the photo at left that the hundreds of miles of flatness across Kansas and eastern Colorado were taking a toll on my sanity on a cross-country bicycle tour some 20 years ago.

Those are the Rockies in the background, however, and this bike tour was about to take on a whole new, vertical complexion.

While many cyclists flock to the Rockies for several multi-day bike tours every year, cyclists who prefer flat terrain may feel left out.

No longer. The Denver Post, host of the Ride the Rockies, announced its new Colorado ride this week called “Pedal the Plains.”

Although there aren't a lot of details available …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/26/pedal-the-plains-an-unlikely-flat-bicycle-tour-in-colorado/

Nitto aluminum “riser” handlebars recalled in US and Canada

Several importers are recalling 2,000 faulty aluminum riser handlebars made in Japan by the Nitto Co.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging owners to stop riding bicycles equipped with the handlebars and contact the dealer where they were purchased or Euro Asia Imports for free replacements.

The handlebars can break, causing the cyclist to lose control of the bike and fall. There are two reports …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/26/nitto-aluminum-riser-handlebars-recalled-in-us-and-canada/

Cycling strong at 80

An 80-year-old retired California school teacher did something on his birthday that too few seniors do — he got some exercise by taking a long bike ride.

Ray Houlihan's bicycle ride took him 103 miles around his hometown of Turlock on a December day. He's completed 15 centuries over the past 20 years or so.

“It's just like the mountains. They're there and you want to start riding them” …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/25/cycling-strong-at-80/

Comparing states and big cities for bicycle commuting and safety

Oregon has the highest rate of bicycle commuting in the 50 states, but South Dakota is the safest state for cycling.

Those are just a couple of findings in the extensive Benchmarking Report for 2012 issued this week by the appropriately named Alliance for Biking and Walking.

The report ranks the state and big cities on levels of bicycling and walking, the comparative risks of those pursuits, and funding for non-motor vehicle transportation.

In most categories, Seattle and Washington state ranks in the top 10 or 15, and the region's Cascade Bicycle Club is singled out for its efforts to encourage bicycling….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/24/comparing-states-and-big-cities-for-bicycle-commuting-and-safety/

Deteriorating condition of bicycle parked in New York City

Time-lapse photography demonstrates the life-expectancy of a bicycle on a New York City street — about 270 days.

Quite frankly, I'm surprised it lasted that long.

The demise of the bicycle locked up in the Soho district by the staff at design company Red Peak doesn't start until about 180 days into the experiment when the water bottle disappears.

Oddly, the U-lock disappears …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/23/deteriorating-condition-of-bicycle-parked-in-new-york-city/