Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011

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On May 5, 2010 Doris Matsui (D-CA) has introduced H.R. 1780 – The Safe & Complete Streets Act of 2011.  This legislation is poised to place requirements on projects that utilize federal funds that necessitate the adherence to a ‘Complete Streets‘ policy.  While submitted by Matsui, the bill also lists Steven LaTourette as co-sponsor.  LaTourette previously sponsored the Complete Streets Act of 2009.

…require each state’s department of transportation and metropolitan planning organization to put in place a Complete Streets policy that ensures all Federally-funded transportation projects accommodate the safety and convenience of all users. Complete Streets policies ensures roadways are built with all users in mind – including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, motorists, freight vehicles, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. This bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH).

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Sacramento will paint more bike lanes

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According to an Examiner.com article, Sacramento is ready to start adding more painted bike lanes to downtown Sacramento streets over the next 18 months.

The plans aim to create an environment downtown which resembles the bike-friendly portions of midtown, where cycling is popular and bikeways are more common.

This seems in line with what appears to be a growing trend of bike-friendliness throughout the region.

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Folsom receives funding for new bike facillity

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Bike Friendly CityAccording to the City of Folsom newsletter, folks traveling to Folsom on bike, light rail or other options will have a secure facility to park their bicycles in downtown Folsom.

Folsom continues to make moves to accommodate bicycle infrastructure.  These actions are in line with Folsom’s ranking of a Silver level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

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Cycle to work, UK style

Posted by On Filed under Bikes as a lifestyle, Commuting 2 Comments

I’ve recently been thinking a lot about cycling to work from the employer’s point of view.  Are there gains or losses to revenue to be had by employers adopting a particular policy on cycling to work?  Are companies actively encouraging employees to cycle to work?  Are they doing this through awareness campaigns, or by providing facilities like showers and bike lockers.  Perhaps they are actively encouraging employees – sponsoring bike to work days or other such programs.

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Bike lane obstructions across the country

Posted by On Filed under Commuting No Comments

I ran into a post over at blog.cyclosity.com regarding UPS trucks that apparently continue to park in bike lanes.  The whole idea of bike lane obstructions is probably something that most commuters are familiar with.

One of the most important rules of being safe while riding in traffic is to be consistent and predictable.  You are at much higher risk if getting tangled up with a car a you move out of the bike lane than you are while riding in the bike lane – or even out of the bike lane and in traffic.  This is one of the common mistakes made by newer commuters.  You will see folks that will take every opportunity to get as far right next to the curb as possible – say, in a stretch of road where there are not as many parked cars.  Unfortunately, this forces them to move out into traffic when they come up to a parked car.

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Its Electric!

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The “green” benefits of riding a bike are often touted by the bicycle advocacy crowd – this author included.  Despite the obvious environmental goodness of transporting yourself with leg power compared to other methods, folks still strive to “improve” on the bike’s green image.  And these improvements often involve electrification in some way. One of the more recent variations on this theme is the Yike Bike.

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Sac press and Hal Grades on deterring bike theft

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Sacramento Press has put out an article titled Tips for deterring bicycle thieves. Most of the article is repeating the “lock it, lock it, lock it” mantra.  However, urban cycling supports in the comments for the article took minor exception to the description of cycling as a sport.

Interestingly enough, the statement made by a Sacramento Police Offices – as quoted in the article – is one of some contention as well:

Try not to leave it in areas that aren’t well-traveled,” said Sgt. Norm Leong, spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department.

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Auburn, WA plans for cycling in its future

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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

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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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Using German Engineering to beat bike thieves

Posted by On Filed under Commuting, Cycling Products / Reviews No Comments

Thieves can’t steal what they can’t reach – correct?  That appears to be what a couple of German inventors are banking on.

They’ve created a bicycle lock that attaches to a light post and, using a remote control, will then lift the bike 15 feet up in the air.  The device uses what are essentially skate board wheels, electric motors and batteries to literally “drive” up the pole – all while the bike is attached.

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