Minipost: Lubbock (and all US) Bicyclists - a Survey From People for Bikes

If you spend much time around here, you know I am a fan of bicycling, of making bicycling more accessible, and of People for Bikes and the National Bike Challenge. I received an email today from People for Bikes. They are conducting a national survey to help them focus on ways to improve cycling throughout our country. Please take a little time to fill out the survey so that they can have a better view of what our needs and wants are.

 

[By the way, filling out the survey will also lead you to an opportunity to win a bicycle.] Here is the info and link from their email:

Hi there,
PeopleForBikes is the national bike advocacy organization working to make bicycling better in the U.S. They're looking for riders of all types to tell them what it's like to bike where they live. Share your thoughts and give your city a roadmap for becoming a better place to ride.
Take this survey today:
http://peopleforbikes.org/communitysurvey
Thanks!

May we work together to create better opportunities for everyone who seeks healthier transportation!

Low-Carbon, Low $ Transport in the LBK

Inspired by Exxon's recent sponsorship of the US Secretary of State position, I decided to post some great options for people working at reducing gasoline consumption. All of these were found on Lubbock Craigslist this morning:

 

 

  

The Novarra w/ rack is the other bargain of the week!

 

May you find better options readily available.

Be a Squeaky Wheel, Lubbock! Fossil Free Friday Meets Lubbock on a Bike (Lane)

Let's say that you were really ambitious and decided to zoom in the picture below and count the vehicles. You would find five SUV's, three cars, three full-sized pickups, and some dummy's bike. (There's also a 1954 Chevy pickup that would make a rocking electric conversion candidate, but that's a different post.)

 

The picture was taken at 4:45 pm on Wednesday afternoon - so rush hour had not truly kicked in yet.

 

If you want to better understand bike lanes routes in Lubbock, this intersection is a good place to start. Indiana Avenue, by the way, is the town's busiest artery leading to two major hospitals and a major university. With staff, patients, and students, you are looking at more 70,000 people in and near that area. Indiana is one incredibly busy street. The speed limit at the intersection is 40 miles per hour - traffic normally flows closer to 50 mph. Crossing Indiana in the afternoon is the most treacherous part of my commute (regardless of where I cross it).

 

42nd Street Bike Route at Indiana Avenue (Eek!)

 

So here is the thing about this bike route - it is our city suggesting that cyclists play Russian Roulette if they choose to follow the established bike routes.

 

Aerial View of the Same

 

Why do I point this out? Because this is a Democracy. And this is an election year. As we get ready to elect a new mayor and new city council members, we have a chance to find out what our potential politicians are willing to do to represent our wishes and needs, but it is up to us to let them know what our wishes and needs are. While I know that it is easy to be cynical about local politics, I have seen first-hand that Lubbock responds well to squeaky wheels - so be a squeaky wheel. (I just had a great name idea for a bicycle activist group!)

 

A few resources for those of you who are interested:

 

The Green Lane Project - a group dedicated to supporting bike lane creation, maintenance, campaigning, and funding

 

Imagine Lubbock Together - a Lubbock group that is interested in promoting healthier options for our city, and a group that would love to hear from us squeaky wheels.

 

In other Lubbock bicycle news

 

Sun Adventure is nearing its final days - there is not a lot left, but what is there is deeply discounted. My boss scored this sexy beast this week for a very low price. Use this as an excuse to get your butt on a bike!

 

That Sturmey-Archer 5-speed hub - I am so jealous (and a terrible minimalist)

 

May your wheels squeak loudly enough to make a better life for those whose choose healthier options.

More dogs and cargo bikes!

This is a season where I stress my way through the days.

Kylie the Wundermutt and I were sitting on the couch yesterday afternoon. The TV was off. The house was quiet. She sighed with contentment. Yep, life is better with a good friend by your side. Stress, like butter left out, melted a bit.

This morning I rode the new electric Frankenbike to work. I crossed town on 38th. I did not head down Indiana Avenue. I did not get on the Loop. The bike kept me distant from the racing rats. Stress, like butter left out, melted a bit.

So, if bikes and dogs help melt stress, then...

Cargo bike here. Sharky the Shark Dog here, Eek!

 

As you can tell, I already have my dog and cargo bike inspiration, but I can tell that you are still on the fence about all of this. So, here is a video for you. This video is about Ollie, and it's about Howard's quest to help Ollie acclimate to riding on/in a cargo bike. Besides a dog and a cargo bike, you will get to take a short trip down the Santa Monica Pier. There's also a reference to Craigslist. This video has everything and bike lanes! Enjoy!

 

Ollie (Howard's dog) Riding a Cargo Cycle

 

Next up, let's head to a hotbed of bicycle culture - Copenhagen, Denmark to continue the inspiration. Copenhagen is the home of Nihola, a manufacturer of fine cargo bikes. These people get the whole dog/cargo bike connection. They even build a model especially adapted for dogs - the Nihola Dog. Check it out. While you are there, check out the intro video and the gallery of dog and bike shots. (One dog - the small, black shepherd - looks just like our Matilda.)

 

Nihola Dog!

 

Okay, I can see it in your eyes - you're starting to see how happy you and your Fido would be cruising about town. Yep, life is better with a good friend by your side.

 

May you and your four-legged furball find fun and butter in your quest for green transportation!