No, this is not a highway map for cars, but rather a bikeway map for… BIKES!
A task force of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has been working on the project for four years. The association’s approval of the plan in October means that states can collaborate with local agencies and neighboring states to begin establishing these routes.
To read more, check out BikingBis or Adventure Cycling
Ever sit in traffic on 2nd street during the 4th of July or Grand Prix weekend and wonder what it would be like if everyone rode a bike or took public transit. This great picture shows the spatial relationship between a car, bus and bike.
Click on the picture to see the whole thing.
Another reason to promote to cycling in Long Beach. Less Traffic!
Há muitas agrupações de ciclismo no Brasil. Hé aqui uma pra as mulheres. Saia na Noite. É de São Paulo. As paulistas façam passeios todas as terças-feiras a noite, e também outras atividades.
Saia na Noite. www.saiananoite.com.br/passeios.html
Você quer fazer algo parecido aqui em Long Beach?
As reported on LBPost.com, the City is planning to someday, eventually, maybe start implementing portions of the Bicycle Master Plan that was drafted seven years ago.
And be sure to head over to Zephyr Vegetarian Cafe (October 2008) to check out the great bicycle-themed photo exhibit, “Stoked for Spokes”.
Zephyr Vegetarian Cafe
340 E 4th St
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 435-7113
…with your bicycle will get a whole lot easier in the next month or two.
What the Blue Line looks like now:
What the Blue Line could look like in the coming months:
Metro Rail Operations is planning the removal of nearly 1,100 seats on all Metro Rail vehicles to accommodate the needs of bicyclists, luggage holders, persons in wheelchairs and others with increased space demands as part of a pilot project. A breakdown of seat removal plan is as follows:
• Red/Purple Lines
– Removal of 2 Additional Seats per Car
– 24 Total Seats Removed Per 6 Car Train
– 416 Seats Removed From Fleet
• Blue Line
– Removal of 5 Passenger Seats per Car (2 Rows)
– 15 Total Seats Removed Per 3 Car Train
– 345 Seats Removed From Fleet
• Green Line
– Removal of 4 Passenger Seats per Car (2 Rows)
– 8 Total Seats Removed Per 2 Car Train
– 112 Seats Removed From Green Line
• Gold Line
– Removal of 4 Passenger Seats per Car (2 Rows)
– 8 Total Seats Removed Per 2 Car Train
– 96 Seats Removed From Gold Line
• New Vehicle Fleet of 50 For Various Lines
– 8 Total Seats Removed Per 2 Car Train
– 100 Seats Removed From Green Line
It should be noted that this area would not just be for bicycles, but an area for all requirements (luggage, strollers, wheelchairs, etc.).
Seat removal is expected to be initiated within 30-60 days barring any unforeseen developments.
The Long Beach Cyclists would like to thank Mr. Dave Sotero and Metro for taking this historic experiment towards better service for all.
Some images from the Long Beach bike tour this year. Sure is nice to take over the streets for at least a few hours.
A quickie slideshow from University by the Sea. Click image for some bikey fun!
I found a great section on the League of American Bicyclists page!
Every now and then, someone takes a potshot at bicyclists and bicycling. Sometimes it’s a politician; other times a shock jock. Whoever it is, and whatever their motivation, we don’t like it!
Click on the links below to see who said what.
Links will open in a new window.
Oct. 2, 2008: Professor John Cochran, University of Chicago
Sep. 8, 2008: Senator Jim DeMint, South Carolina
July 29, 2008: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters
July 18, 2008: David Brooks, New York Times
Dec. 6, 2007: Representative John Boehner, Ohio
Sep. 11, 2007: Senator Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
Aug. 4, 2007: Representative Patrick McHenry, North Carolina
Somebody get you fired up lately? Tell us what they said so we can get fired-up too!
Send us an email lbcyclists (at) gmail (dot) com
What Is Proposition 65?
In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known by its original name of Proposition 65. Proposition 65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. This list, which must be updated at least once a year, has grown to include approximately 775 chemicals since it was first published in 1987.
What types of chemicals are on the Proposition 65 list?
The list contains a wide range of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals that are known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. These chemicals include additives or ingredients in pesticides, common household products, food, drugs, dyes, or solvents. Listed chemicals may also be used in manufacturing and construction, or they may be byproducts of chemical processes, such as motor vehicle exhaust.
This all sounds pretty good right? Keep chemicals out of our water and soil can’t be a bad thing, right?
For several months Xtracycles have been Out of Stock, and many folks have been patiently waiting (thanks folks). After 5 months they are finally available… but NOT IN CALIFORNIA. Apparently this product (which can effectively help replace thousands of car trips a year) contains a wee bit too much lead. You can buy one directly from the manufacturer, but not from a supplier. Who knows why. I’m sure it has something to do with red colored tape.
Proposition 65 also limits certain bicycle dynamos (generators), lights and even a few bottom brackets.
In case you are unsure of which state California is, it is the state that also has an emissions law that prohibits 75mpg two-stroke scooters, but allows more Hummers and bus-like SUVs than anyone would know what to do with.
Xtracycle
Proposition 65
CA Emissions Law
Stella
**Update**
Jeremy at Xtracycle writes:
There is no lead anywhere in the Xtracycle Free Radical product itself, or the paint.
The lead is in the plastic in those little plugs that you take out and throw away when you unpack the Free Radical kit. We are dealing with this issue right now, and we will keep you posted on the situation.
In the meantime, if you live in California, you can order directly from us. Our distributer is removing the plugs manually, so they will be shipping to dealers again soon as well.
