The West Side

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 ...

We've had a tragic week in Central Indiana with regards to bike riders, and cars. Three fatalities in less than a week. It's hard to wrap your head around. Indianapolis also reelected it's Mayor last night. One of the reasons may have been his overwhelming particiaption, and support of cycling. The two things are not mutally exclusive. The more places people have to ride, the more people will ride. That's the common perception. I happen to believe it's true. There is also a much higher probability that those cyclists will encounter motor vehilcles. We (people in, and around, the bike industry) spend a lot of time talking about the rights of people who want to ride bicycles. It's a necesssary endeveour. This is a car culture, and there are some who don't think the bicycle is a legitimate form of transportation. My hope is that we will continue to talk about the rights of cyclists. We also need to talk about responsibility. Those of bike ri...

During the fall and winter cycling can become more challenging.  Not always because of the temperature, but because of the lessening amount of daylight. Where you ride will determine what kind of lighting you need.  Here is a compilation of, what I think are, some of the best lights out there today. The Knog Frog, and Glo/Ember set from Bontrager.  Single LED lights that are pretty darn bright.  They will allow you to been seen.  Less than 30 bucks will get you front, and rear blinky lights.  You're safer already. Bontrager Flare 1/Ion 1.  For those that would like a more traditional light set up.  A bit brighter, but still more a "be seen" set up. The Planet Bike Blaze.  A 2 watt powerhouse.  Two constant light levels, plus Superflash.  This light will let you see a bit of the road.  Also check out the Bontrager Ion 2.  Both great lights. The mother of all rear blinky lights.  Planet Bike Superf...