Month: October 2011

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Walkable, Bikeable Delaware

[B’ Spokes: My thoughts on reading this are: Will Delaware fall into the same traps that Maryland has or will they avoid them? Trails are great but when Maryland starts getting 1.5 mile trails in the middle of nowhere, I really have to question are they fulling their mission? Delaware by listing viable projects (vs MD just saying it wants “network of bicycle and pedestrian trails” but has no real plan backed by funding to do so) along with getting some funding concessions may very well leapfrog Maryland.]

by James Wilson

Continuing a string of recent victories in Delaware, the Secretary of Delaware’s Department of Transportation received a standing ovation at Friday’s Delaware Bike Summit (October 14, 2011) after signing (above) a Memorandum of Agreement with his counterpart at Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources to “Create and Maintain a Statewide System of Bicycle and
Pedestrian Pathways and Trails that Will Support Non-motorized Travel and Recreation Opportunities within the State of Delaware.”  The two Secretaries also released a list of 19 proposed projects, including bikeways connecting Delaware’s largest cities in all three of Delaware’s counties:
1) Wilmington/New Castle (6 miles)
2) Wilmington/Newark (~ 14 miles)
3) Dover/Smyrna-Clayton (~14 miles)
4) Lewes/Georgetown (~17 miles)
as well as the C&D Canal Trail connecting the Delaware River to the Chesapeake Bay:
5) Delaware City/Chesapeake City (~22 miles)
Click  HERE  for a complete list of
projects.
Governor Markell (the only Governor to ever speak at a National Bike Summit) explained the state’s initiative:
“My goal is to make Delaware walkable and bikeable, so more of us can enjoy the great Delaware outdoors.  We can create a network of bicycle and pedestrian trails by building on existing pathways and trails.  We create jobs and connect communities across the state and at the same time, expand recreational and transportation opportunities for Delawareans and visitors….[we can]
1) Build a world class interconnected pathway network
2) Support creation of local
jobs
3) Link communities internally to support local sustainable economies, and externally to grow connections between neighborhoods, towns and cities
4) Develop sustainable practices in the creation of the network, such as supporting native landscaping and natural habitats
5) Support healthy communities by providing affordable, active transportation choices
6) Re-establish Delaware in the Top Ten of Bicycle Friendly states  (we’re at #17 right now)
7) And, develop strategies for the ongoing maintenance and upgrades of existing facilities”
This commitment by the state builds on recent victories:
To learn more, visit us
at https://www.bikede.org/.
James Wilson
Executive Director
BIKE DELAWARE
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Bike trails pump $42M into Central Florida economy, study says

You know with Maryland having a bit of the East Coast Greenway you would think there would be more attention to completing that then there is. At least some attention on a bike crossing the Susquehanna River. But money is not directed to where needed or where it will make the nicest trail but simply who is will to pay the high 50% local match. Meanwhile federal grant money remains unspent.
Orlando Sentinel story here: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-trails-economic-impact-20111017,0,3028584.story

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Buy-Cycle Back to Prosperity

from Commute by Bike by Ted Johnson

Filmmaker and anti-helmet Fashionista extraordinaire, Mikael Colville-Andersen, dug up this Depression-era cartoon, encouraging people to buy, buy, buy, as a way of stimulating the American economy with more “circulating dollars.”

Buy-Cycle Back to Prosperity

That cartoon is truer now than it was when it was originally published.

The irony is that just before the Great Depression, only about half of American families owned automobiles. The New Deal, which helped to stimulate the economy into recovery, provided ten times more funding for roads than for public transit. Government policy helped to cement the psychological link between national prosperity and car ownership.

At the time, the real encouragement was to buy cars, among other consumer products. The bicycle in this cartoon was only a metaphor.

I don’t think it’s a metaphor anymore.

Continue reading “Buy-Cycle Back to Prosperity”

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Bikes and Baggage Cargo Event

Proteus Bicycles
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Bikes and Baggage Cargo Event


Proteus Bicycles


Date: Sunday, October 30
Time: 9:30am
Place: Proteus Bicycles
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– Leave your car at home. –

cargo bike

 




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Dig out your backpacks, racks, panniers . . . any safe way you can carry small packages. Discover just how fun and easy it is to do local errands on your bike. We have a fun route all planned out for you. You will go from stop to stop picking up packages and surprises, returning back to the shop for awards and celebrations.

This will be about a 10 mile ride routing you to various public places where one might commonly go on an errand. You will be amazed how fun and quick it can be using your bike instead of your car. Helmets are required and young and/or inexperienced riders should have a riding buddy with them. RSVP is appreciated. Check webpage in case of rain. Hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Jill DiMauro

Proteus Bicycles
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Ben Sollee Returns to Biller’s Bikes, Havre de Grace, MD

Ben Sollee, whose “Ditch the Van” tour last year delivered band and equipment on bicycles across the country, is returning to Biller’s Bikes SUN Stage on Sunday, Nov. 20.

The two shows at 2:00 and 8:00 are a fundraiser to help Biller’s launch its rebirth as a community non-profit bike shop and cycling advocate. The rising roots-rock star is filling up 1,500 seat venues on his current “Inclusions” album tour. The two shows will wrap his American tour. He will be joined by percussionist Jordon Ellis.

The $50 tickets include lite fare and open bar. At writing, both shows are selling out fast. The intimate SUN Stage room has remarkable acoustics and draws a great crowd. Shows here are always an unforgettable experience. For tickets by phone, call 443-502-2377. https://www.billersbikes.com


Cellist/Vocalist
Ben Sollee
with Percussionist Jordon Ellis Sunday, Nov. 20
Two Shows: 2:00 &  8:00
Benefit Tickets: $50

After sold–out shows in Sept 2010, Ben Sollee and percussionist Jordon Ellis bring back their unique roots-rock sound to the SUN Stage. The two concert appearances will benefit Biller’s Bikes 2012 transition into a non-profit community bike shop. Show includes light fare and beer, wine, coffee and soft drinks. Tickets are $50 at shop or by phone with credit card. Call 443-502-2377.