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It took him eight years to get a working prototype, but now there’s one working at the Port of Oakland which Kenney calls the "Dragon Power Station". Special plates are set on the road, and as big trucks drive over them (about 2,500 of them per day at the port), they compress a tank of hydraulic fluid under the road, which in turn creates a series of pumping actions that turns a generator to produce electricity.
By June, the Dragon should generate about 5,000 to 7,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each day, or enough to power up to 1,750 homes. Not bad for a prototype.
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Where bikes and cars belong
Good helmet does not need to cost an arm and a leg
On the store shelf sit three helmets. One is $40. Another is $80. The third is $145. They look identical — same brand, same box, same color and shape. Only a small tag above the price differentiates them by name.
So why the price difference?
You’re not the only person asking this question, and it may seem that "you get what you pay for." So why not buy the best?
But slow down.
There are a few things to consider before forking over the cash for a long-term purchase such as a helmet. Unless you crash, a helmet should last five years, so be sure the money is spent well.
Randy Swart, director of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute in Arlington, Va., said the bottom line is this: All helmets on today’s market are made to specified safety guidelines outlined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
That means they’re all safe. That applies to the $7.14 Bell-brand cartoon-covered helmets available at Wal-Mart and to the $189 Giro-brand Atmos, made popular by cycling superstar Lance Armstrong.
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Forbes – Best And Worst Cities For Commuters
Nearby cities that made the lists:
Worst: No. 7: Washington, D.C.
Best: No. 10: Richmond, Va.; No. 5: Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Yehuda Moon on biking to school
Because of bus/car centric design of school students are discouraged to bike and should take the bus instead
When the Bridgewater-Raritan High School environmental club settled on a way to spend more than $2,000 raised over the last four years, co-president Michelle Slosberg never imagined their choice would be so controversial.
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More than a week ago, the carbon-conscious students offered to buy and install a bike rack at the school, but were baffled by the response. Principal James Riccobono declined the offer.
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Slosberg and Dransfield said Riccobono expressed concerns over the safety of students jostling with the heavy bus and car traffic in front of the school and biking along busy Garretson Road.
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"In as much as the district provides courtesy busing to students who live within walking distance of the high school, because of the danger on Garretson Road, it does (not) make sense, in my opinion, to promote the riding of bicycles to school," the letter read.
Continue reading “Because of bus/car centric design of school students are discouraged to bike and should take the bus instead”
Bike Maint 101
5/14/2008 7:00 PM
Working on your bike can be a daunting task, but fear not, REI is here to help! Join up with one of REI?s bike techs to learn the basics of bike maintenance such as a how to fix a flat, lube a chain, and other adjustments that will keep your bike in good running order. In addition, the clinic will provide insight on overlooked yet simple maintenance techniques that will improve your riding experience. This clinic is a great lead-in class to other advanced bike maintenance classes.
Location: REI – Timonium
Contact: Customer Service at 410-252-5920
Cost: Free
Registration Required? No.
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FREE instructional ride series
If you missed the first sessions you can still get some benefits by attending these rides.
Come check it out! Art and Music at Velocipede Friday!!
(Art about tricycles–curated by Orlando M Johnson)…Yeveto will be gracing us with their beautiful music as well
THIRD WHEEL
A study of the Trike
At Velocipede– 4 W. Lanvale St.
May 2-25 2008
Opening Reception Friday May 2, 7-10pm
WORKS BY:
Alyssa Dennis
Charlotte Benedetto
David Cunningham
Kathy Fahey
Laurent Hrybyk
Orlando Johnson
PERFORMANCE BY:
Yeveto
$5 Donation Suggested
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Kiersten’s Cakes, Now Child Sound Stage, Graham Wimbrow, Rachel Y.
https://www.myspace.com/yeveto
Alert – National Bicycling Strategy for National Bike Month
Take Action! — Support House Congressional Resolution — from the League of American Bicyclists –
The House Congressional Resolution on Bicycling (H.Con.Res. 305), introduced in February, calls on the United States Congress to adopt a national bicycling strategy to fully realize the incredible benefits of getting more people bicycling, more safely, more often. There is a "sense of Congress" that complete streets policies are essential to ensure wise use of considerable Federal investment in transportation infrastructure, and that expanded funding for bicycling and walking programs is desirable and appropriate.
As we celebrate National Bike Month in May, cities and organizations throughout the country will be hosting events promoting bicycling as a healthy, fun, and viable form of transportation. This is also a perfect opportunity to contact your Congressional Representatives to thank those that have signed onto the Resolution and urge those that have not to so.
A good showing for the Resolution is essential as this would serve as the first ever comprehensive bicycling policy statement and would serve as an important policy statement guide for the next transportation reauthorization which begins next year (2009).
As part of National Bike Month please take a moment to Contact your Congressional Member to urge them to support HCONRES305.
Thank you.
Continue reading “Alert – National Bicycling Strategy for National Bike Month”