Image from baulfl.org. Please visit their site.
I just saw this on Twitter and I thought it was cool enough to pass on. From their site:
The Challenge
Everything has its begining. For me it was sitting in my car, in traffic, reflecting on the mornings ride. I had been yelled at to get off the road, a drink thrown at me and missed by inches by another driver trying “teach me a lesson”. “Get off the road” they say. Quite a lot to think about as I’m stuck in traffic reading window stickers and bumber stickers advertising everything from our president to Billy Bobs favorite motor oil.
I don’t care about Billy Bobs favorite motor oil but I still remember it.
So I did some research and come to find out window and bumper stickers are one of the most effective forms of advertisements that reach DRIVERS. People behind the wheel while they are driving. They are right up there with the effectiveness of billboards when related to drivers.
What if we had 1,000,000 cars with Bicycles Allowed Use Of Full Lane Change Lanes To Pass window and bumper stickers driving around all day? Statistics show that the message will be read by millions and millions of drivers.
Are there a million bicyclists that care about getting the word out? I think so. We’re going to find out.
I challenge one million of you to make a difference. To put the law in front of drivers as they are driving. To get them thinking.
Bicycles Allowed Use Of Full Lane. Change Lanes To Pass.
They ask that you come back 15 December 2009. Site and Campaign Stickers will be live and available at that time. I think everybody who rides around the Metroplex has had some experience sharing the road and can relate to this cause.
It’s time to pick the Hump Day Pics Of The Week. Again, thanks goes out to the contributors to the Suburban Assault Flickr Pool.
We get many great submissions to the group, and I’m noticing there are a few that post more frequently. The one thing I will to do is feature some of these contributors from time-to-time. This week’s hump day featured contributor is: “EcoVelo“. Alan and Michael always post great shots on Flickr and their website ecovelo.info. Here are just a few of their latest.
Their profile says they are the public expression of our personal commitment to reduce our impact on the environment by employing bicycles as our primary mode of transport. By sharing what we learn from this endeavor, while also providing an aesthetically pleasing experience that celebrates the beauty of the bicycle and the joys of everyday bike riding, we hope to inspire others to make a similar commitment. I think inspirational is an understatement when you look at their shots.
I hope you enjoy this set and check back each week to see what shots get picked. Be sure to check out the Flickr page to see all the awesome bike shots shared by our extremely talented contributors.
"December 1 Sunset" by EcoVelo
"Sam Hillborne and Fall Colors" by EcoVelo
"The Lone LHT" by EcoVelo
Today is the OFFICIAL launch of Bike Friendly Richardson. In case you haven’t been following the blog until now, BFR is modeled after Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, a great bicycle advocacy group that started in Dallas. Fulfilling a need for non-sport representation in the north Dallas neighborhoods, BFR will continue BFOC’s efforts in Richardson – with hopes that the momentum of bicycle awareness continues throughout the Metroplex.
You can also join the Facebook group, follow on Twitter or subscribe to the site by RSS.
A few blogs, including Bike Friendly Oak Cliff and DFW Point-To-Point posted a link to this Kimberly Thorpe article in the Dallas Observer. I managed to find a copy and gave it a quick read over coffee yesterday. Love or hate the direction the city is going with it’s bike plan, if you are interested in cycling in Dallas, you should give it a read.
I saw it as an account of the recent history of Dallas Cycling – where we were and where we’re going. It’s actually a good read for those who haven’t been involved in advocacy for the past 10-20 years.
It’s time to pick the Hump Day Pics Of The Week. Again, thanks goes out to the contributors to the Suburban Assault Flickr Pool.
Since my wife and I went on a Tweed Ride last week, this week’s hump day theme is: “TWEED”. We had a bunch of great options to choose from, and these are a few of my favorites.
I hope you enjoy this set and check back each week to see what shots get picked. Be sure to check out the Flickr page to see all the awesome bike shots shared by our extremely talented contributors.
"LA Tweed Ride" by Bike by the Sea
"LA Tweed Ride" by kinamari
"DC Tweed Ride 2009" by Laura Rush
by tripledub images
Last Sunday, my wife and I joined Bike Friendly Oak Cliff’s first tweed ride. This was a first of many things for us. A first for us to ride with BFOC, a first for us to ride in a large group, a first for my wife to ride her new bike and a first for us to ride wearing tweed.
This was an interesting ride for me. I’ve seen pics of several other tweed rides and thought they looked fun, so I decided to join. My wife, wanting to break in her new bike, wanted to do the ride as well. The fun started when we spent some time searching for the proper attire. Tweed, at a reasonable price, is hard to find — but we enjoyed the hunt.
On the day of the ride, we joined the rest of the group as they gathered at the top of the Grassy Knoll, in downtown Dallas. We spent a some time checking out each other’s outfits and sharing stories as to how they were acquired. When the ride started, my wife and I stayed at the back of the group, hoping to not feel the pressure of being too rushed.
The group headed east on Ross Avenue towards the Arts District where we rode by the DMA, the Winspear Opera House and the Wyly Theater. From there, we headed south on Pearl Street and then west on Main Street. On Main, we stopped off at the City Employee Credit Union for a group shot on the steps. After that, we continued down Main Street until we reached Houston Street. We took it south to access the Houston Street Viaduct which crossed into Oak Cliff. It was interesting yet kind-of sad to see the old Reunion Arena in a pile of debris.
As we rolled into Oak Cliff, a few of us got separated from the big group. This didn’t concern me since my wife knows her way around OC. We actually followed some folks who got off the planned route, but quickly negotiated a new detour to the Bishop Arts District.
At the Bishop Arts District, the group gathered in front of Eno’s Pizza and enjoyed refreshments while Matt Tolentino entertained us with his accordion. We stayed there for quite some time, taking pictures and meeting other cyclists. After that, some of the group stayed while the rest of us headed back to downtown Dallas.
Overall, it was a great ride. My wife and I really enjoyed meeting all the great folks who took part of the group and we hope to do it again.
Click here to see all my pics.
Take a spin and avoid the Black Friday crowds.
Please join BFR for an impromptu, casual ride to signify the kick-off of Bike Friendly Richardson.
They will be taking a spin through some quiet west Richardson neighborhoods. The pace will be casual and the route will be on low traffic roads.
They’ll start and finish at Santa’s Village (at the fountain in front of The Richardson Civic Center). The loop will be about 10 miles with a small Starbuck’s break in the middle.
Route Map:
View Black Friday Ride in a larger map
IF you Facebook, here is an Event Page that you can RSVP to.
!!!ATTENTION DART RED LINE RIDERS!! – DMN has posted that DART will be running their SATURDAY schedule on Black Friday. Please double check dart.org for times. Go here for more info.
I’ve been a HUGE fan of Timbuk2 bags for years. I bought my first bag in 1995 and I still use it when I ride. I just got an email from them promoting their new line-up of bike bags, and I wanted to share them over here.
First up is the Anna Tote. I’m not much of a tote user, but this thing is so cool, that I might have to get one – in orange. Price is $30. It comes in 1 size and 4 colors.
Image From Timbuk2. Please Visit Their Site.
Next up is another cool thing that I need, the Tool Shed. This beats the crap out of my current tool bag. Price is $35 and comes in 1 size, 1 color.
Image From Timbuk2. Please Visit Their Site
Next up is the Handlebar Bag. This is a nice way to keep the important stuff within reach for fast access. It will run you $35 and comes in 1 size, 2 colors.
Image From Timbuk2. Please Visit Their Site.
Let’s not forget about the panniers. Timbuk2 has come up with two great options. The first is the Bullitt Pannier Messenger. Finally, there’s a cool T2 messenger bag that gives you the freedom to take the load off of your body while you ride. This guy is $100 – comes in 1 size and 2 colors.
Image From Timbuk2. Please Visit Their Site.
If you are into open tops and totes, the Mission Pannier Tote is the pannier option for you. This has the same great flexibility as the messenger, with the easy access of the tote. This one is $80, comes in 1 size and 2 color choices.
Image From Timbuk2. Please Visit Their Site.
It’s time to pick the Hump Day Pics Of The Week. Again, thanks goes out to the contributors to the Suburban Assault Flickr Pool.
Since my wife got a new cruiser bike this week, we’re going to go with that theme: “CRUISER”. We had a bunch of great options to choose from, and these are a few of my favorites.
I hope you enjoy this set and check back each week to see what shots get picked. Be sure to check out the Flickr page to see all the awesome bike shots shared by our extremely talented contributors.
"Mobilography0106" by antiantianti
"Beach Cruiser at Lake Elsinore Inlet" by stryder10464
"Fleetwood's Kit Kat" by tripledub images
My wife has been shooting pics for Fleetwood’s Kit Kat for their new website (which will be amazing once it’s launched). Every time she went into their shop, she would eye a her favorite custom cruiser, that always seemed to be just outside of our budget.
This last visit to their shop, the staff presented it to her as a gift for helping them out. Now she has the coolest bike in the family.
