vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Lance on Tony’s show
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lance Armstrong takes on Tony Kornheiser

UPDATE: I guess Lance wins. He tweets again:

Just off the phone w/ Tony Kornheiser who’s very sorry 4 his comments re: cyclists. Going on the show 2morrow 2 discuss this w/ him….

To me this is all about a relationship. It’s bikes and cars. Both will be here forever. Awareness needs to exist as well as mutual respect.

/endupdate

Via the Washington post

Update: Kornheiser Rant Going Viral

By washcycle

So if my stat page is any indication it appears that a lot of people are reading the Tony Kornheiser rant against cyclists. It appears to have started after Mellow Johnny’s – Lance Armstrong’s bike shop in Austin – tweeted about it.

Action time
twitterati, ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser on cyclists on-the air, “run them,
down” “just tap them” “I have a large powerful car”

I urge all twitterati to let @espn know Tony Kornheisers comments aren’t acceptable, RT like you’ve never RT’ed my friends

People can email Tony Kornheiser at pti@espn.com. Everybody needs to let him know this is unacceptable.

Kornheiser’s boss, CEO Bruce Gilbert can be reached here. Contact him.
https://www.espn980.com/info/contact_us.php
Go time!

And it appears that a lot of other sites and message boards are now encouraging people to do the same. So, if you’re upset about his comments, and you feel the joke crossed the line, I’d recommend joining in.

Heck, they suspended him for making fun of a colleagues dress (and I thought she looked good too). It’s unfortunate, because when I’ve seen him on PTI, I’ve actually liked Tony Kornheiser.

Continue reading “Tony Kornheiser Condones "running down cyclists"”

Organizers for Brita Climate Ride are recruiting cyclists to participate in the first ever Brita Climate Ride, a multi-day bicycle tour calling for solutions to global warming. From September 20th to 24th, one hundred riders will tour 320 miles from New York City to Washington, D.C. to raise money and increase awareness for global warming solutions.
"Brita Climate Ride is a unique event. It’s a fundraiser, a climate conference on wheels, and a citizen call for action," said Geraldine Carter, Brita Climate Ride’s co-director.
The directors for this event, Geraldine Carter and Caeli Quinn have spent the past ten years leading bicycling tours around the world, pedaling with U.S. citizens through regions from the French Riviera to the impoverished countryside of Sichuan China. They have assembled a bright and diverse team to lead this ride, from MBA students focusing on sustainability to a climate expert who has traveled the U.S. by bicycle to raise awareness of this issue.
"I’m riding because we can solve the problem of global warming if we jump start a clean energy revolution," said rider and organizer David Kroodsma.
"Climate Riders" will cycle 45 to 80 miles day along scenic backcountry roads in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Each night, expert speakers will brief the "Climate Riders" on solutions to global warming. Each rider will raise $2,250, to benefit the non-profits Clean Air – Cool Planet and Focus the Nation, two organizations at the forefront of global warming education and action.
"This transformative event is ideal for anyone who believes that change is possible and that America can take the lead in a green economy," said Caeli Quinn, Climate Ride Co-director.
Interested participants can register online at https://www.climateride.org.
Continue reading “Brita Climate Ride Recruits Cyclists Nationwide”

March 27 – April 11, 2010

By WashCycle


WABA will again have its bike valet, and Bike and Roll and NPS will again do tours of the blossoms, via the going out gurus.

And if you can’t wait to take out that fixed-gear you bought because it was cool, hit the free, three-hour ranger-led bike tours
of the cherry blossoms offered Saturdays and Sundays through the
festival. Tours begin March 27. Want to hop off and walk some of the
way? The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is bringing back its
cherry blossom bike valet: You can park your bike with them free on
Saturdays and Sundays for the length of the festival (March 27-April
11).

Even if you don’t have your own bike, you can throw your name on the
list to rent a bike and take tours during the festival. Bike and Roll
offers rentals, as well as two-hour, six-mile Bike the Blossoms
tours that begin and end at the kiosk on Pennsylvania Avenue. New this
year — and ideal for locals and serious cyclists — is an
approximately 15-mile, Blossoms by Bike River Ride, which starts in Old
Town and runs along the Mount Vernon Trail into Washington.

Photo by Tom H. Jones

Continue reading “WABA’s Bike Valet at National Cherry Blossom Festival”

The coalition is also supporting a suite of bills that would make transportation safer for bicyclists and pedestrians:
• Ensure a safer passing distance for cars (SB51, Raskin; HB461, Cardin)
• Eliminate laws that require the use of shoulders even when the shoulder is unsafe (SB624, Frosh; HB1193, Carr)
• Hold vehicle drivers accountable for accidents they cause (HB388, Simmons)
• Provide more funding for bicycle and pedestrian access (HB282, Peña-Melnyk)
Continue reading “Transportation FOR Maryland press release on transportation funding”

By John Cannon
Each year, a bunch of cyclists pedal away on back roads near U.S. 15, participating in the Catoctin Challenge.
Chances are, some passing motorist has cracked, "Who do they think they are, Greg LeMond?"
Well, one of this year’s participants can answer "Yes."
LeMond will be riding in the 15th Annual Catoctin Challenge Bicycle Ride this summer, said Phil Heffler, founder and chair of the event.
"That’s the biggest thing to happen to Maryland cycling," he said. "It’s like Jack Nicklaus showing up at your golf tournament."
The two-day Catoctin Challenge begins July 31 at Frederick Community College, taking cyclists north through Gettysburg and back toward Blue Ridge Summit, Pa.
LeMond’s presence will give a major boost to the event, which is run by Catoctin Charities to provide riders with a scenic and enjoyable ride while raising money for charity. Former NHL player Theoren Fleury will also participate.
Continue reading “Cycling legend Greg LeMond to ride in Catoctin Challenge”

Transportation for Maryland
Maryland’s transportation system needs clear and bold goals to ensure our prosperity, access to good jobs, and environmental sustainability for all Marylanders. This means improving the way we plan our transportation systems and developments to ensure that there are convenient and affordable travel options available to everyone. Speaker will discuss legislation before the General Assembly concerning reforms to our transportation system in order to ensure that every dollar invested in transportation results in a system that works better for all Marylanders.
-Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, 1000 Friends of Maryland Deputy Director.
https://onelesscar.org/files/public/documents/Transportation4Maryland%20Presentation_2010.pdf
Bicycling Advocates of Howard County (BAHC) [They are doing some real cool stuff!]
BAHC’s accomplishments since it was established in Feb 2008; identification of issues in dealing with Howard County Government, Columbia Association, and SHA; and plans for future activities
-Jack Guarneri, BAHC President.
https://onelesscar.org/files/public/documents/BAHC%20Presentation%203%20Feb%202010%20FINAL.pdf
Maryland’s Interactive Trail Map
Hands-on navigation of the various features of the MD Department of Transportation interactive trail map. New data and its effectiveness as a planning tool will be discussed.
-Sylvia Ramsey, Manager, Community Enhancement Programs.
[I’ve seen the demo, it’s really cool but I can’t find a link for it. :(]
Presentation by Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley on Maryland Trails: A Greener Way To Go.
https://onelesscar.org/files/public/documents/Secretary%27s%20presentation.pdf
[Ahhh, Dear Ms. Secretary as much as I love trails and it would be cool to use them as bicycle transportation routes if they were accessible from home and work but even dealing with what we have numerous issues have surfaced such as failing to clear commuter trails of snow. If trails are indeed transportation please treat them as such. Thank you.]
Continue reading “If you missed the Symposium there is some cool stuff on-line”

From Portland’s Transportation Safety Summit Summary
By Aaron Tarfman
…
The head of ODOT for the Multnomah region spoke about numerous ‘improvements’ for 82nd ave
…
One comment on Bikeportland stated “I find the middle of the block to be the safest place to cross, what with folks blindly turning right on red. Little white stripes and a "walk" light don’t make you safer…especially not on 82nd.”
After he spoke, I grabbed his ear and mentioned in no uncertain terms that every single road under ODOT’s control is a road that I am afraid to walk or ride my bike on. I mentioned several examples including Southeast Powell, 82nd Ave, East Burnside, and Sandy. While he diplomatically cited several areas where ODOT has put in crosswalks etc, the fact of the matter is that the high crash maps still show more incidents on these roads than anywhere else.
…
Continue reading “Portland has some of the same problems as we do”

BikeUMD Bicycle Ambassador
What is bikeUMD?
bikeUMD is a campus program with the goal of promoting bicycling within the UMD community. Funding comes primarily from the Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) but the program also depends heavily on collaborations with the Campus Bike Shop in Cole field house and the Campus Police.
What are we looking for in a Bicycle Ambassador?
We are looking for energetic, punctual students, faculty and staff who are comfortable riding a bicycle and eager to advocate for improved bicycle facilities on our campus. Candidates should be interested in promoting safe and fun biking behaviors and events. Interested students should not expect to graduate before spring of 2011.
Duties:
* Chalk bicycle related messages
* Pass out bicycle related information during Bicycle Week (April 5 – April 9, 2010) (Please be willing to commit to 4 hours of volunteer time during this week.)
* Attend training sessions and informational sessions. (No more than 2 a semester) (food provided)
* Share announcements about bicycling on campus through facebook, twitter, email and other social media
* Represent the student body by giving input and feedback on facilities and plans
* Other opportunities to promote cycling:
o Lead bicycle tours, assist with helmet fittings, promote use of u-locks, etc.
Continue reading “Become a bikeUMD Ambassador!”

by gwadzilla
the other day I got out on the bike…
it was not a training session
it was not a workout
it was just a way to get from POINT A TO POINT B
so often on this short cross town trek from my home in Mount Pleasant to my dad’s house in Bethesda I found myself playing chicken with the oncoming cars
it was not just frustrating… it was also dangerous
there were cars swerving to dodge snow crossing the double yellow line coming straight towards me
funny… the car drivers work so hard to avoid damage to their cars
if only they worked so hard to not risk injury to pedestrians and cyclists
so often a car driver will slow for a pothole in the road… while that same driver will not alter their speed when approaching the pedestrian or the cyclist
Continue reading “but really…. it is not as much as CAR VERSUS BIKE as it is ME ME ME!”

Attention cyclists; we motorists are NOT responsible for your safety. Want to ride on roads or streets not wide enough for both you and motorized vehicles or ride on congested streets with motorized vehicles, YOU ASSUME THE RISKS. Stop crying for special protection laws. PAVED roads were made for high speed MOTORIZED vehicles, not slow-poke pedals.
To the Legislature: you are setting up an (un)civil war between cyclists and motorized traffic of which the motorized car or truck will ALWAYS win. Stop putting more and more obstacles in the path of motorized traffic. Move over for this, move over for that. Pretty soon we motorists will nowhere else to drive if you keep squeezing us further off the pavement.
– Mark
Continue reading “I’m an ignorant driver and this is what I think (confessions of a reckless driver)”