According to RoadBikeRider.com this commercial features a Lance lookalike but none the less it captures something wonderful about bicycling.
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US DHH RELEASES NEW PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES
According to the Oct. 8th Physical Activity and Public Health On-Line Network newsletter, "Adults gain substantial health benefits from two and a half hours a week of moderate aerobic physical activity, and children benefit from an hour or more of physical activity a day, according to the new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The comprehensive set of recommendations for people of all ages and physical conditions was released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"The guidelines are designed so people can easily fit physical activity into their daily plan and incorporate activities they enjoy. Physical activity benefits children and adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, older adults, and those in every studied racial and ethnic group, the report said."
[Note: A small sampling of Maryland Schools reveals a policy of less then a half hour of aerobic physical activity per *week* is provided for school age children.]
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SAN LUIS OBISPO (CA) COUNCIL KEEPS BIKE PROJECTS IN BUDGET
On September 30th the SLO City Council came to terms with a $4.8 million shortfall in the wake of decreased city revenues and the result of a binding arbitration ruling for police officers. At the council meeting, Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Adam *censored*ushima reminded the Council that ‘in these tough economic times, now is not the time to take away transportation options that promote tourism, decrease dependence on oil, and improve health.’ The City Council made cuts in almost every department but left all bike projects — including the Railroad Bicycle Trail–untouched. In 2007 the City rated bicycle improvements among its ‘high priority’ budget goals in response to Bicycle Coalition input at a community forum. We are glad the council remained true to those goals…"
[It’s sad the same can’t be said for Maryland.]
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Go carfree
[The following quote caught my eye:]
…
In many parts of India and China, a growing middle class has an appetite for cars. Some people in these places and others (like America) have the idea that driving a car is glamorous or “respectable”—that it makes one special and shows that one is dignified and classy. They got that false image from American television and movies.
By joining in the World Carfree Day Movement, Americans can explicitly reject the notion that cars are anything but an especially toxic form of cancer. The good news is that it is a curable form of cancer, as many cities and towns throughout the world are now starting to demonstrate.
…
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NBC 4 coverage of Joe Krebs bicycle vacation
Joe Krebs Enjoys Green Vacation
Joe Krebs, who anchors the morning show, has discovered a way to getaway, relax and go green.
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Facts & Stats
Here’s a sampling of some of the stats we’ve recently posted on our [Bikes Belong] website:
* Participation: Less than 1% of all U.S. trips are made by bicycle, yet nearly 40% of all trips are two miles or less.
* Economic: The average annual operating cost of a bicycle is around $200, 1/70th that of an average car.
* Health: Men who cycle to work are significantly less likely to be overweight and obese (39.8%) than those who drive to work (60.8%).
* Facilities: From 1992-2005 Portland, Oregon, increased its bikeway network by 215%, and during that period bicycle commuting doubled.
* Environmental: Bicycling instead of driving 5 miles a day reduces individual CO2 emissions by 1,287 pounds annually, about 6% of the average American’s total emissions.
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Talk by "Earthship" architect Michael Reynolds November 6
On Thursday, November 6, the Neighborhood Design Center, in conjunction with the American Visionary Art Museum, is proud to present eco-architect Michael Reynolds, who will talk about his work over the past forty years to build self-sufficient, off-the-grid houses and communities. The talk kicks-off NDC’s 40th Anniversary celebration, which includes a Gala party after – featuring a silent auction and music by Groove Mammals.
Michael Reynolds has been challenging the status quo with his experimental approach to building ever since he graduated from Architecture School in 1968. One of his earliest efforts – a house made from beer can bricks – so upset the national bricklayers’ union that it forced him to halt construction. Undaunted, Mr. Reynolds went on to develop the concept of the "Earthship": an off the-grid solar-powered home built from used car tires, which recycles rainwater and sewage and costs next to nothing to run.
Mr. Reynolds will discuss the principles behind "Earthship Biotecture", the opportunities and challenges he has faced over the years to create his structures, and the relevance that his approach has for helping poor and underserved communities in the United States and abroad. To learn more about Michael Reynolds and his "Earthships" visit www.earthship.net.
When: November 6, 5:30pm – 7pm
Where: James Rouse Visionary Center at the American Vsionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Tickets: $15 Talk only; $40 Gala Party (7pm-10pm); and $50 for both (a savings of $5). You can purchase tickets at www.eventbrite.com/event/181983317 or visit www.ndc-md.org for more information about the Gala.
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Urban Bike trip for Families.
Saturday 18th at 9AM BIKE
Meet at Hall Springs Area (This is at the corner of Argonne Drive and Harford Road). We will go on the great Family Ride to the WAVERLY MARKET. Round trip it will be 4.4 miles. We will have two cars lead and follow the wild pack of bikes (and carry any kids that just are not ready). This is a great first Urban Bike trip for Families.
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Conventions Bike-Sharing Effort Exceeds Expectations
When Bikes Belong teamed with Humana to bring 1,000 bikes to the Democratic and Republican national conventions, we had two goals:
1. To show convention delegates, media, volunteers, and residents the convenience of bicycling for short trips.
2. To highlight bicycling on a national stage and generate positive media coverage to inspire more people to ride.
On both fronts, the Freewheelin bike sharing effort was tremendously successful. During eight days of Freewheelin at the two conventions, people from all 50 states and 37 countries:
* Took 7,523 rides
* Pedaled 41,724 miles
* Burned 1,293,429 calories
* Reduced their carbon footprint by 14.6 metric tons
* Reported no accidents or injuries
Freewheelin was a mainstream media event, with stories appearing on CNN, ABC World News Tonight, and the CBS Evening News, in major newspapers such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and New York Daily News, as well as in Time and Newsweek. So far we’ve tallied:
* 2,304 clips in print, on television and radio, and online
* Nearly 180 million media impressions
* An equivalent of $10 million in advertising
These widespread and positive stories helped promote bicycling as easy, convenient, healthy, safe, and fun to a larger and wider audience than we’ve reached before.
To see some of the coverage, visit our website.
We thank Humana and all of the Bikes Belong member companies who generously supported this unprecedented project.
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Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper
The mission of Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper is to protect and restore Baltimore Harbor and the greater Patapsco River and its tributaries through enforcement, fieldwork, and citizen action in order to make the river suitable for recreation, including fishing and swimming, to improve public health, and to improve the health of the river ecosystem.
Report Pollution in your streets and waterways: 410-366-3038 or pollution"at"baltimorewaterkeeper.org.
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