10 longest rails-to-trails for bicycling in the US

A funny thing happened on my way to updating this list of the 10 longest rail-trails in the US — I learned that not all the trails are suitable for bicycles.

Of the 10 longest rail-to-trail conversions listed at the Rails to Trails Conservancy, 2 are established for ATV's only and another is used as a scenic railroad with no adjacent path.

A few others are surfaced with ballast, which can make bicycle pedaling a little dicey.

The longest rail-to-trail list is compiled by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The non-profit has helped states, communities and volunteer groups turn 19,872 miles of abandoned railroad tracks into trails ….

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/27/10-longest-rails-to-trails-for-bicycling-in-the-us/

Bicycle commuting down slightly, but big cities make gains

Fewer people traveled to work by bicycle in 2010 than the year before, the US Census Bureau reports, although bicycle use has skyrocketed over the past decade.

Data in the American Community Survey released recently show that 731,286 Americans used a bicycle as a primary source of transportation for commuting last year; that's down 4% from the previous year.

In the 70 largest cities, however, bicycle use rose 1% in the past year. More than half of those 70 largest cities have been judged as bicycle friendly cities by the League of American Bicyclists.

Car-pooling and public transportation also experienced slight drops ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/26/bicycle-commuting-down-slightly-but-big-cities-make-gains/

“Manx Missile” Mark Cavendish wins Worlds bicycle championship

The winningest pro cyclist in recent years is adding the rainbow jersey to his wardrobe of green, yellow, red and pink jerseys.

Great Britain's Mark Cavendish won the sprint finish in the world road race championship on Sunday in Rudersdahl, Denmark.

That means he'll wear the rainbow strips of the UCI world champion throughout the 2012 season. Australia's Matt Goss finished second with  Andre Greipel (Germany) in third.

This being the world championships, the 200-some cyclists represented their countries …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/25/manx-missile-mark-cavendish-wins-worlds-bicycle-championship/

Bicycles roll out for global Moving Planet rallies

When you call for a rally to support alternatives to burning fossil fuels, you can expect people on bicycles to get involved.

That's what happened Saturday when thousands of bicyclists participated in Moving Planet rallies held across the US and around the planet.

Clean energy demonstrations took place in all 50 states in the US and 175 nations — some 2,000 rallies in all. The day of protest was coordinated by 350.org, a climate awareness nonprofit.

Photos posted on 350.org's Facebook page from such diverse locations …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/25/bicycles-roll-out-for-global-moving-planet-rallies/

Bellevue WA hosts more bike rides for input from cyclists

The city of Bellevue is hosting short rides for bicyclists this Saturday and next Wednesday to get some ideas to improve streets and signs for bicycle riders.
 
They're the second and third such rides recently. Some members of the city's transportation staff rode with cyclists through the busy Factoria-Eastgate Corridor back in July to get some input on making that area more …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/23/bellevue-wa-hosts-more-bike-rides-for-input-from-cyclists/

Two bike recalls — 14,200 from Specialized and 91,000 from Wal-Mart distributor

Specialized Bicycle Components is recalling 14,200 bicycles that use a carbon fork that can come apart at the brake attachment.

The carbon forks manufactured by Advanced Group of Taiwan on 10 bike models ranging in price from $700 to $2,000. The company reported two incidents in which the brake mountings failed, left, although no injuries were reported.

The recall is …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/22/two-bike-recalls-14200-from-specialized-and-91000-from-wal-mart-distributor/

Chicago is next to jump on bike-share bus

Close on the heels of New York City, Chicago has become the next big American city to announce plans to launch a bike share system.

Officials there say a bike rental program using 3,000 bicycles at 300 stations will be launched next summer. An operator and bike-maker still need to be chosen, as well as the areas of the city that will be served.

The bike-share system will start out smaller than the 10,000-bike proposal announced recently for New York City ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/22/chicago-is-next-to-jump-on-bike-share-bus/

Inaugural issue of free BicycleTraveler ezine available now

A new bicycle touring magazine that collects the best bike travel stories and photos from across the globe is available just one click away.

The free and non-commercial “BicycleTraveler, An International Magazine on Bicycle Touring,” is a digital e-zine launched this month.

Using the work of the best bicycle writers and photographers, the magazine is published by experienced bike traveler Grace Johnson.

She and Paul Jeurissen have been traveling the globe for years on their bicycles, sharing their stories and photos at the blog “Bicycling around the world, In search of inspiring cycle images.”

The launch of the magazine itself is a lesson in what traveling bicyclists can accomplish while on the road. Grace writes ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/21/inaugural-issue-of-free-bicycletraveler-ezine-available-now/

Event organizer matching donations for LA County Bicycle Coalition

When you read the news about cities and states making streets safer for bicyclists, you'd be correct to assume that the push comes from the advocacy arm of a bike club.

Usually, the more members in the club, the louder their voice.

The 14,000-member Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle, for instance, can afford to have paid and volunteer advocates pressing for better streets in cities and visiting the offices of lawmakers in Olympia. They also run education and bike commuting programs, as well as present a slate of cycling events every year.

Chris Kostman would like to achieve that kind of support for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/19/event-organizer-matching-donations-for-la-county-bicycle-coalition/

Hyak to Easton: Bicycling the high & dry side of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail


Most of us bicycling on the rail-trail through Iron Horse State Park in Washington limit ourselves to the 20-some miles between Cedar Falls and the 2.3-mile Snoqualmie Tunnel at Hyak.

The John Wayne Pioneer Trail doesn't stop at Hyak, however. It continues eastward through Washington to the Idaho border.

Recently I rode the 20-mile section from Hyak to beyond Easton to learn more about the trail east of the Snoqualmie Tunnel.

This is the high and dry side of the Cascades. …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/09/16/hyak-to-easton-bicycling-the-high-dry-side-of-the-john-wayne-pioneer-trail/