The right to choose

There has been much talk lately of bicycle advocacy.  Cities in Europe are always used as examples of what could be.  It is a bit Pollyannaish to think that we can snap our fingers and create the infrastructure of cities hundreds of years older than ours.  However, I find it inexcusable that city planners do not consider alternate transportation when designing, or redesigning streets.
This also seems to be a topic that gets split along political lines.  Democrats love it, Republicans not so much.  As a conservative, I find this odd.  It isn't about making people ride bikes.  It's about allowing people the option to ride safely if they choose.  

The gears of the big machine turn slowly.  Indiana has made great strides in the last few years, but comparatively there are miles to go.  Luckily there are groups out there fighting for your right to ride safely.  Local groups like the B&O Trail Association (www.botrail.org) have, for years, been slogging through the process of turning an abandoned railway into a multi-use trail.  National groups like Bikes Belong work with Congress to ensure funding stays in the transportation bill for alternative transportation.  An easy way for you to get involved today is to simply sign a petition.  Visit www.peopleforbikes.org and sign the pledge.  Make sure your voice is heard.


Ride on

Chris

www.a1cyclery.com
www.facebook.com/a1cyclery
www.twitter.com/a1cyclery

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why are bikes so expensive?

It's a question that we get all the time.  My annual eye exam was today, and was making small talk with the .....what would you call her.... Occular assistant?  Anyway, when the topic of my chosen line of work comes up she says "why are bikes so expensive?" My response to her was "They're not". I've gone to this eye doc for years, and I'm sure that there are many in town that are less expensive.  I go to this one because of the service, and quality of care. Your money buys more bike now than it ever has.   So why do people think bikes are expensive?  The price of everything around them goes up in price, yet bike prices should stay the same?  Not logical. I think the real issue is the way people view bikes.  They're considered toys.  Go and try to find one in one of the big box stores.  Know where they are?  Right next to the Barbies. A well made bicycle is a joy to ride, will work as (or better than) you expect it to and last a very lon
Read more

Let's give thanks

Time for a little reflection.  We talk a lot about cycling, and the rights of cyclists to have safe places to ride. It's easy to get impatient. Things don't move quickly enough. We aren't as progressive as (fill in the blank) city. I prefer to think about how far we've come.  I think about Richard Vonnegut, who has been beating the drum for bicycle advocacy as long as I can remember. He's someone that, as far as I'm concerned, doesn't get the recognition he deserves. I think about Diana Virgil, who has been plowing through the mountains of red tape surrounding the B&O Rail Corridor project-seemingly forever. Whatever progress we've seen recently has come from people like them working for years in darkness. I get a feeling of great hope when I see a group like IndyCog spring up, and accomplish so much. There are others, to be sure. Bicycle Indiana , and CIBA  just to name two.  People who love to ride bikes should feel a great sense
Read more

Daily Drivers

Being a bike shop, Bicycling magazine sends of copy of their mag to the store each month.  I usually flip through the pages, grumble and then pass it on.  They have their moments, but as a whole I don't think they do a great service to "average" bike riders. The feature on race bikes in the current issue is a great example.  "This year's most victorious machines" was the headline.  The bikes ranged in price from $6700 to $16 (that's SIXTEEN) thousand dollars.  What is the victory exactly? I can appreciate a McLaren Mercedes but it's not something I'm ever going to own.  If I did, I don't think I would drive it daily.  It's just not practical. It would just be nice to see the industry spend a little more time focusing on bikes that work for people in the real world.  Maybe I just don't get it.  Maybe I'm just getting old.  Hmmph. Have a great holiday weekend. Ride on!
Read more