Hot Italian hosts another Savage Sprints event

Sunday night it was standing room only as Sacramento’s Hot Italian hosted another Savage Sprints event to benefit the Sacramento Valley Velodrome Project.

The venue worked well, providing food and drink for the adults, along with a comfortable location for the many children that also came out with their parents.  The races saw brother pitted against brother, and even a national track champion was in attendance.

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Anti-bike propoganda

I’ve decided to take a slightly different approach in my bicycle advocacy efforts.  Below, you will find a collection of random quotes that I’ve collected around the internet – all of which advocate for a decidedly anti-bicycle mentality.  For anyone that has read more than an article or two here at Just Another Cyclist, it should be obvious that I will have objections and counter-arguments to all of these.  But for now I’ll post these below without commentary – save what is written hear in the introduction.

It is somewhat sad that many of these were found as user comments on the end of news website postings on cyclists getting injured or killed in vehicle-bicycle collisions.  In fact, the vast majority of these came from my own home-town paper, the Sacramento Bee.  However, as cycling supports and perhaps advocates, we must understand and acknowledge the opposing arguments, if for no other reason than to construct reasonable and rational counter-arguments. Know thy enemy seems to apply.
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Build bike lanes – save our economy

Bike Lane Road MarkingsAccording to he folks at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Political Economy Research Institute, the construction of on street bike lanes can actually generate more jobs that other infrastructure projects.  At least, those appear to be the findings of a study titled “Estimating the Employment Impacts of Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Road Infrastructure,” conducted in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

The study centered around comparing the number of jobs generated for every $1 million invested in each particular type of project.  The results showed that every million dollars spend on Pedestrian projects produced (both directly and indirectly) about 11.3 new jobs, Bike boulevard projects 11.7 jobs, and on street bike lanes produced the highest number of jobs at 14.4.  By comparison, road resurfacing resulting in new job generation of only 6.8.
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Handy cycling tips from a driver

In an odd series of connections I found a great video of tips for cyclists, given from the point of view of a driver.  This was actually posted over 3 years ago on Brian Acord’s blog over at GreenWheels.org.  Brian is actually a fellow CycleFolsom member and ride leader.  Yup – I’m referring to that Brian.  Have a look at the video – and share it with friends and family!

Divisions, divides and cultures

Divisions, divides and cultures. Divisions, divides and cultures.  It seems to have been my mantra of the last couple of months.  And apparently I’m not the only person somehow entranced by these topics.

I had an opportunity to guest post on BikingInLA and talk about my thoughts on bike culture.  Zeke responded with his guest post on BikingInLa, providing more thought-provoking insights.

On the other side of things, I’ve talked ad nauseam about the cycling world’s habit of dividing up into subcultures.  Truth be told, I don’t really think this is a “cycling world” issue as much as it is just human nature. Us versus them seems to be an innate human tenancy.

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Another cycle-centric Second Saturday

Sacramento’s Second Saturday art walk continues to draw crowds, and bicycles continue to be an integral part of the festivities.  Not only are bicycles the only viable option for many to navigate the packed midtown streets, bicycles themselves continue to be an attraction.

Readers may recall a previous post regarding bicycles and Second Saturday where I talked to Doug at the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen.  This time around, I was fortunate enough to reconnect with my former neighbor and friend, Chris Dougherty, at an event that took place Rex Cycles.

This event featured some good pizza courtesy of Hot Italian, tasty beer and wine, and some heated GoldSprints racing.  The idea was to raise both awareness – and some early funds – for the Sacramento Valley Velodrome project.  Just Another Cyclist is currently looking into the details of this effort, and will be writing about this soon.  As the name implies, though, this is indeed an effort to get a velodrome built in the Sacramento area.

Rex cycles is a custom frame and bike builder.  According to their own website:

Rex Cycles specializes in custom frames, mechanical and frame repairs, parts and our complete bikes. We specialize in road racing, touring, and tandem bicycles, and the unique S and S Bicycle Torque Coupling travel system.

Rex frames are designed around your body and riding needs.

Steve’s years of experience produce some truly great looking bikes, and the shop proved to be a fantastic venue for the Velodrome project event.

Auburn, WA plans for cycling in its future

The Auburn-Reporter recently posted an article on the future of cycling in Auburn, WA.  Situated in a North-South valley south of Seattle, Auburn actually provides many opportunities for cyclists.  The terrain is basically flat around town, but has ample opportunities for reasonably challenging hills surrounding the valley for those that want to climb.  The local rail service – the Sounder – allows bikes to be taken on board, making bicycles a viable option for large portions of the region.  In addition, the Interurban Trail travels nearly 15 miles of the North-South corridor, providing yet more out-of-traffic travel opportunities.

With eyes fixed on the future rushing onward like a freight train — a future in which Auburn is expected to swell to a city of more than 150,000 within 50 years — Mayor Pete Lewis formed the Bicycle Task Force last March to study bike trails and routes within the city.

Task force Chair Terry Davis

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Bicycle Superhighways

Easter Bunny.  Tooth Fairy.  Santa Clause.  Bicycle Superhighways.

One of these things is not like the others, but not for the reasons you may think.

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Use your head while riding

Warning – Just Another Cyclist is about to jump into the cycling helmet debate.  If you’ve had about all you can stand of the endless arguing on this issue (and who can blame you really?) then perhaps you’ll find one of my other articles more to your taste.

I also want to point out that you will likely not walk away with a clear impression that I’m on one side of the issue or the other.  I’m decidedly neither pro nor anti helmet.  I wear a helmet when I ride if I feel like it.  I generally always wear it on group rides more out of peer pressure (everybody’s wearing one!) or habit than anything else.  I almost always wear gloves when I ride to protect my hands if (or should I say when) I happen to hit the pavement, and the helmet is kinda in the same category.  On the other hand, I do not ride any differently if I don’t have my helmet on than when I do.

The main reason for my indecision is that I’ve not seen anything that would make me think that one side of the argument or the other is correct.  I decided to do a little more digging into the issue and see what I could come up with.

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Propaganda – the good kind

Followers of all things cycling on the internet have likely at least heard of the phrase by now – even if they haven’t seen the image:

This one runs on fat and saves you money

This one runs on money and makes you fat

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