Imagine an extensive, country-wide network of routes for cyclists. Such a network could identify routes of amazing beauty or interest, for example, and could identify routes that cyclists might prefer over other highways, taking into consideration traffic volume, topography, etc.
Lovers of cycling adventure are pushing for the creation of an extensive, nationwide, numbered route system. Back in 1976, during the Bicentennial, two numbered cycling routes were identified in the eastern U.S. Since then, Adventure Cycling Association has created maps identifying many dozens of suggested cyclist routes around the entire country. Go to its web site to learn about the project underway to fund further development of the U.S. Bicycle Route System.
Friends Laura and Russ lived in Long Beach, California until last August. Since then they have been on the road, on a cycling adventure they call pathlesspedaled.com. They are now in Tennessee. The amazing route Laura and Russ have cycled during the past twelve months does not have a number… yet.
At the same time, the City of Long Beach is implementing its own numbered system of recommended cycling routes. Some of the numbered Long Beach Bikeways will guide us along separated facilities, and others will suggest routes along existing roads that the cyclist may prefer. Much is happening these days—locally, nationally, and in many other parts of the world—as ever increasing numbers of people embrace cycling as a serious transportation option.
MichaelB, August 21st 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, bike tours, bikeway, routes
Posted in Featured
During the past year, we see Bikeway signs posted here and there across town.
Each Long Beach Bikeway route is assigned a number. Some signs also have arrows or destination information. How might we make use of these new traffic tools?
Local cyclist Peter Dopulos—no ties to the City of Long Beach nor to Long Beach Cyclists—has been cycling newly posted bikeways. Over time, Peter has been describing what he has observed and felt while cycling the routes he has explored so far. To read his interesting descriptions, full of discovery, see www.everythinglongbeach.com/lb/long-beach-bikeways/.
Peter visited Long Beach Cyclists during a recent monthly meeting to share what he has observed and learned. It was wonderful to hear Peter’s stories and sense his enthusiasm as he explores routes on his bike, without initially knowing where a new route will lead him.
What Long Beach Cyclists knows from our ongoing interactions with City planners and engineers is that many cycling-related projects are being contemplated or sketched out, and some are already being implemented. City staff developed a detailed list of preliminary route options. However, City engineers in turn are making adjustments, based on road widths, traffic flow and other considerations. Someday not too far off it would be good to have in hand an excellent map for cyclists indicating all of the eventual numbered bikeways.
Lacking a map of bikeways already posted no doubt has made Peter Dopulos’ adventure of sniffing out the where to’s all the more fun for him.
LBCyclists, August 21st 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, bike lane, bike to work, bikeway, children, commuting, fun, goals, health, Metro, roads, routes, safety, traffic
Posted in Education, advocacy
What do the numbers say about cycling? About healthy living? About our environment?
The windy road image above is found on the People for Bikes dot org web site. The web site includes links to more interesting statistical information found at Bikes Belong dot org based in Boulder, Colorado. A key idea behind People for Bikes (which is an initiative of Bikes Belong) is to gather the electronic signatures of one million cyclists—which translates into the lobbying power of one million people who love cycling.
Thank you Long Beach Cyclists member Jessica A. for drawing our attention to the sites and the stats.
MichaelB, August 16th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, Bikes Belong, commuting, cycling, goals, health, People for Bikes, traffic
Posted in advocacy
Traffic Skills 101—the short-duration course that helps you develop skills to cycle Long Beach streets more safely—is taught by instructors (LCI’s) who are certified by the League of American Bicyclists. The course at CSULB Pyramid Annex is free, but advance registration is required. Click EDUCATION at the top of the longbeachcyclsts.com page for more information and to link to the CSULB web site to register.
This will be will be the last opportunity to take Traffic Skills 101 in Long Beach this summer.
By the way, the photograph was lifted from the cover of the Smart Cycling pamphlet of the League of American Bicyclists. Given that the League is based in Washington, D.C., can you identify which building we see in the background? And… can you identify who is the LCI in the photo? Hint, he is well known in the Long Beach cycling community.
MichaelB, July 12th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, bike lane, bike to work, children, commuting, CSULB, CVC 21200 21202, cycling, economy, fun, goals, health, laws, legal, police, public transit, responsibility, rights, roads, routes, safety, traffic, women
Posted in Education
Traffic Skills 101—the short-duration course that helps you develop skills to cycle Long Beach streets more safely—is offered only a handful of times each year. The course at CSULB Pyramid Annex is free, but advance registration is required. Click EDUCATION at the top of the longbeachcyclsts.com page for more information and to link to the CSULB web site to register.
The last opportunity to take Traffic Skills 101 this summer will be in July.
MichaelB, June 13th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, bike lane, bike to work, children, commuting, CSULB, cycling, economy, fun, goals, health, laws, legal, police, public transit, responsibility, rights, roads, routes, safety, traffic, women
Posted in Education
Support local bike-friendly businesses.
On the first Friday of every month, 11:00 am Р2:00 pm, many Long Beach caf̩s and restaurants offer lower prices to customers who show up on a bicycle and dine in. To participate, we are asked to show our helmet or bike lock key.
Click on the thumbnail Lunch Breaks PARTICIPANTS LIST to the right to see the list of the 27 current participants for addresses, web sites and discount particulars.
Lunch Breaks for Cyclists is part of the Car-Free Fridays initiative coordinated by the City of Long Beach (as promoted by BikeLongBeach dot org) in which all people are encouraged to bike to work, one day per month at the very least.
The current list is based on the participants list found at bikelongbeach.org.
MichaelB, June 3rd 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, commuting, eating, economy, health
Posted in advocacy
Long Beach Cyclists meeting — Wednesday, June 2nd at Jax
Long Beach Cyclists meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:17 pm. Hope to see you at our next meeting… and at any or all other events. Click EVENTS at the top of the page to view our calendar and a map of how to get to Jax (corner of Bellflower and Spring).
Note that many of us cycle together to the meeting from near the shore. We depart Orange and Second Street at 6:30 pm.
MichaelB, May 28th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, cycling, fun, goals, meeting, ride
Posted in meeting
“Share the Road” is one of many online videos produced by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. “Share the Road” lists several ideas that can help the motorist avoid a collision with a cyclist. The video encourages motorists to anticipate that cyclists will use hand signals to make turns, for example. Also, the video encourages motorists to opt for adequate distance between the car and the bicycle.
Of course, the urban nature of Long Beach means that cyclists and motorists often must share tight spaces. Given that road conditions in our city often make for a rather snug fit, the cyclist is safer by cycling predictably rather than erratically… using hand signals, for example… and obeying the same traffic laws as motorists, including the same notions of right of way at intersections.
In the video, we see a cyclist who ignores a stop sign, passing a car that intends to turn right. The cyclist violates the law by failing to stop. Furthermore, he cycles into a dangerous ‘blind spot’. What if the motorists doesn’t know he’s there? Who is at fault if the cyclists gets struck?
Cyclists who recklessly ignore traffic law put themselves in danger and cause some motorists to feel angry at cyclists in general.
When we use the road as motorists, we need to respect cyclists and pedestrians.
When we cycle, we are wise to cycle legally, predictably and courteously so that motorists and pedestrians are not surprised by our presence… and so that we don’t place ourselves in unnecessary danger.
Click to view the “Share the Road” video.
MichaelB, May 24th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, commuting, laws, legal, responsibility, roads, safety, traffic
Posted in Education, advocacy
Traffic Skills 101—the short-duration course that helps you develop skills to cycle Long Beach streets more safely—is offered only a handful of times each year. The course at CSULB Pyramid Annex is free, but advance registration is required. Click EDUCATION at the top of the longbeachcyclsts.com page for more information and to link to the CSULB web site to register. The next opportunities to take Traffic Skills 101 will be in June and July.
MichaelB, May 15th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, goals, rights, safety, traffic
Posted in Education, advocacy
