Monday, February 15, 2010

St. Louis Open Streets

Earlier today, Gene Bisbee at the Biking Bis blog wrote about how ciclova-style celebrations -- in which a thoroughfare or park is open only to bicyclists, pedestrians and skaters for one or more weekend days -- are catching on in the United States. Gene's post cited celebrations in Kansas City, Mo.; San Jose, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle.

The inspiration for many of those events has been Bogota, Colombia, which closes 70 miles of streets to motorists every Sunday and holiday and opens them up to cyclists, pedestrians and skater, hence the term ciclova.

St. Louis is getting in on the act.

This year, the city will present Open Streets 2010, which it bills as a "part bike tour, part block party, a great time for exercise, people watching, and just enjoying our region’s wonderful spring and fall mornings."

The Open Streets 2010 route consists of the Forest Park bicycle trails, Lindell Boulevard, Grand Boulevard and Locust Street. The on-street portion of the route goes from Skinker Boulevard at Forest Park to the Gateway Arch. Family, cultural and fitness rest stops are planned along the route.

The first of the events will be May 1, and will be tied into the St. Louis Cardinals-Cincinnati Reds game at Busch Stadium that afternoon. The above streets will be closed to motorists from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Metro-East Park and Recreation District and the Great Rivers Greenway District will have a pre-game party from 11 a.m. to noon at Clark Street and Broadway, and the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation will have free and secure parking available for bicyclists at Busch Stadium for those wanting to watch the 12:10 p.m. game.

More Open Streets 2010 events are slated for June 13, Sept. 19 and Oct. 9.

Labels: bicycling, St. Louis

Roger 3 comments 2:01 PM

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Illinois Share the Road license plates

Once again, the League of Illinois Bicyclists will be offering "Share the Road" license plates in honor of National Bicycle Month. The plates can be legally displayed on licensed Illinois vehicles during April and May.

LIB is trying to take the concept one step further. LIB is pushing to make permanent, year-round "Share the Road" plates. Twelve already have the year-round plate, but LIB would have to convince Illinois lawmakers to pass a law allowing the plates and would have to sell a minimum of 1,000 plates to offer them.

If successful, customers could order the plates from the Secretary of State at a cost somewhat higher than the cost for their regular plates. From the incremental cost, the Secretary of State gets $15 the first year and $2 each year thereafter. The rest would go to LIB for statewide educational "Share the Road" campaigns.

Efforts to approve the plate this year were stalled because of financial concerns. LIB hopes to reintroduce the legislation in 2010.

LIB is taking a survey to determine interest in the "Share the Road" plate. Perhaps we in Illinois can join our friends in Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado and eight other states in displaying "Share the Road" plates all year long.

Labels: advocacy, bicycling, Illinois

Roger 1 comments 2:26 PM

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Capital city cycling controversy

At first glance, the fact that Springfield -- the capital city of Illinois -- has formed a Bicycle Advisory Council sounds like a major victory for cyclists in the city.

In September, Mayor Tim Davlin named nine people to the advisory panel, which will "act as an advisory body on bicyclist issues; analyze routing, operation and the safety of bicycles and their riders. Members will also evaluate and make recommendations for signed shared roadways, the use of and installation of bicycle racks and signalization."

But the appointment of David Sykuta as the panel's chairman has raised the ire of the Sangamon County Organization for Reform of Cycling Habitat, according to an article this week in the Illinois Times. SCORCH describes itself as "the radical wing of Springfield area bicyclists, propagandists and participants of local Critical Mass rides and other cycling events."

Sykuta is a member of the long-established Springfield Bicycle Club, but what concerns SCORCH is that Sykuta also is the executive director of the Illinois Petroleum Council. SCORCH sees of conflict of interest having someone promoting the interests of the petroleum industry serving as the head of a cycling advisory board.

“Because of his position as a lobbyist for big oil, I can only assume that he is interested in promoting biking as a form of recreation and not as a means of transportation," SCORCH member Wes King told the Illinois Times.

Sykuta, who told the Illinois Times that he's a recreational rider, said his goal is for the advisory panel to look beyond politics and work on improving bicycling facilities in Springfield.

“The real challenge is that bicycling is everyone’s third or fourth most important thing,” Sykuta told the newspaper. “It’s not the top of anyone’s agenda. Everyone likes it, but our job will be to move it up there so it is a more important choice for more people.”

The Springfield area has 13 miles of trails, the 5-mile Interurban Trail that links Springfield and Chatham, the 5-mile Lost Bridge Trail that links Springfield and Rochester, and the 3-mile Wabash Trail in the southwestern part of Springfield. The League of Illinois Bicyclists also has developed a map of local road cycling routes (PDF file) based upon the recommendations of Springfield-area cyclists.

SCORCH members are advocating more official bicycle routes that would allow people to easily commute to state government offices, more bicycle racks in the city and bike racks on city buses. Advisory board members are seeking many of the same things, including a route that would link the city's Abraham Lincoln attractions.

Labels: advocacy, bicycling, Illinois, Springfield IL

Roger 4 comments 11:47 AM

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Bicycle Video Theatre

I know both of these videos have been around for a while, but I just found out about them this week, so I thought I'd share them with you.



The first is of Scottish stunt cyclist Danny MacAskill practicing the art of Bike Parkour, which The Telegraph newspaper describes as a style of riding in which people use every available urban or rural platform to choreograph a set of stunts. The aim is to move from one point to another as smoothly, skilfully and quickly as possible.

Danny's stunts are simply amazing. A tip of the hat to Facebook friend Lisa Maher guiding me to this video. Lisa's husband, Mike, is a cyclist and a former colleague of mine at The (Alton) Telegraph.



The second is of German sisters Carla and Henriette Hochdorfer, who were competing in the 2009 European Junior Champions for Indoor Cycling. The two begin on two fixed-gear bikes, then jettison one of them to perform some graceful moves.

A tip of the hat to Thomas Carter for the link to this video. TC is the originator of the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society's Donut Trail Ride in south St. Louis. TC will be leading the club on the streets of St. Louis on Sunday (Oct. 11) for a visit to four or five donut shops. We'll be taking off at 9:30 a.m. from the Forest Park MetroLink Station.

Labels: bicycling, videos

Roger 0 comments 1:30 AM

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Biking to play horseshoes

I can't say that I know bicyclist Chuck Carter, although I've probably seen him around since he lives in nearby Cahokia, Ill. Nevertheless, Chuck tells an interesting tale.

The 58-year-old Chuck biked from Cahokia to Moline, Ill., to participate in this weekend's Illinois State Horseshoe Tournament.

A story in the Moline Dispatch says when Chuck was younger, he lost his toes to frostbite in a hunting trip in the mountains. He has an artificial knee and said his rib cage is held together with wires after he was stomped on by a bull when he worked in the rodeo.

"I've been everywhere," Chuck told the Dispatch, naming off Canada and states such as New York, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota and Washington.

Chuck has some good news for people who want to do long-distance cycling: 98 percent of the folks he encounters are good people!

Labels: bicycling, Illinois, touring

Roger 0 comments 2:03 PM

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Tour de Belleville, Tour de Donut safety tips

Two of the St. Louis area's largest group rides are coming up -- the Tour de Belleville on Friday night and the Tour de Donut on Saturday morning -- and it's time to offer these tips to make your ride a fun and safe experience.

These same tips can be used for rides such as the St. Louis World Naked Bike Ride on Aug. 15 and the Moonlight Ramble on Aug. 29-30 in St. Louis, as well as other similar rides throughout the country

Tips for newbies:

• If you're a slower rider, try to ride as far to the right as safely possible so faster riders can pass you. If you have to walk up a hill, walk your bike as far to the right as safely possible.
  
• Groups of cyclists should not take up the entire lane, again so other people can pass.
• If you plan to stop, be sure to give some type of warning. At a minimum, give a verbal warning such as "braking" or "stopping." It's also a good idea to give a hand signal by extending your left hand toward the ground. For a good illustration of that, download the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road (pdf file).
• If you're stopping for an extended period of time, pull off the road so other cyclists can pass safely.
• Use your gears. Most new cyclists tend to use a gear that's too big for them. Find a gear where you feel comfortable riding 60 to 90 pedal strokes a minute. When you approach a hill, you probably want to shift to a lower gear before you start climbing.
  
• Above all, ride at a pace that's comfortable for you. The Tour de Belleville is not a race, so don't get tempted to ride at a faster speed than you're used to just because you want to keep up with other people.

Tips for experienced riders:

• Be patient with the less experienced riders. Remember that you once were an inexperienced rider yourself.
• Ride defensively. When approaching a family with young children, give yourself plenty of room to get around them because you never know when someone will suddenly veer to the left or right.
• Use caution on hills. There's a good chance someone will try to climb a hill only to run out of gas and suddenly stop. Give yourself plenty of room to maneuver around them.
• Slow down. This is not the time for a 20-25 mph training ride and long pacelines. Events like the Tour de Belleville are meant for fun, so slow down and smell the roses. The exception here, of course, is Tour de Donut, which is a race.
  
• Be a good ambassador. The way you behave will influence whether a newcomer will stick with the sport.

After riding last year's Tour de Donut, I have to say I'm concerned with some of the riding I saw last year. Way too many people were riding three or more abreast on portions of the course that are open to motorized traffic -- which is most of the course -- and too many people were crossing the yellow line to pass them.

Too many people think that because the first part of the course through Staunton is closed to traffic that the entire course is. That's not the case. Once cyclists make the turn off Illinois Route 4 on the southern edge of Staunton on Renken Road toward Prairietown, the rest of the course is open to motorists. This year, please use common sense and obey the rules of the road.

I hope all of you have a safe and fun experience on whatever big ride you choose to do.

Labels: bicycling, safety, Tour de Belleville, Tour de Donut

Roger 2 comments 11:37 AM

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Cross-country bicyclist killed in accident

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that a 65-year-old man who was riding his bicycle from California to Washington, D.C., to protest government bailouts was killed Sunday by a suspected drunken driver in a hit-and-run crash on U.S. 50 near Carlyle, Ill.

Jim Gafney left his home in Chula Vista, Calif., on April 27 for his "Mad As Hell Bike Ride Across U.S." with the goal of hand-delivering a petition opposing government bailouts to lawmakers sometime in July. Gafney had completed about two-thirds of his 3,000-mile ride, and collected about 500 signatures, before he was killed about 12:40 a.m. Sunday.

The newspaper reported Gafney spent Saturday near Lebanon, and most likely was riding at night to avoid the heat. He was on U.S. 50 at Diamond Springs Road -- about 60 miles east of St. Louis -- when he was struck by a 1997 Nissan Altima driven by Leon K. Marcum, 27, of Centralia, according to Illinois State Police.

Marcum told police he was driving over a hill and saw Gafney, but was not able to stop. He left the scene and later was arrested near Sandoval.Marcum was charged with aggravated DUI, leaving the scene of a fatal crash and failure to reduce speed. He was being held Wednesday at the Clinton County Jail on $100,000 bail.

The San Diego Union-Tribune account of the accident also quoted Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Chris Trame as saying U.S. 50 in that area is just two lanes with no shoulder, Trame said. He described it as “pretty isolated” and “not well lit.”

“We were so worried. We begged him not to go But he had a mission and he was determined to make that dream come true," Gafney's daughter, Colleen Uhden of Temecula, Calif., told the Union-Tribune about her father's decision to ride in the middle of the night instead of throu

The Southwest Free Press, a publication that was supporting Gafney's ride, hopes to complete Gafney's goal of getting 500 to 1,000 bicyclists to ride to Washington and hand-deliver the petition against the bailout to lawmakers.

Here's the last video Gafney posted on YouTube before he died:

Labels: advocacy, bicycling, fatal accidents, Illinois

Roger 0 comments 9:57 AM

Monday, June 08, 2009

A small town's effort to promote cycling

I'm all supportive of the big efforts to promote bicycling such as Bike to Work Day, but I'm also supportive of the small efforts as well.

The ITS Trail Committee -- based in Staunton, Ill., the home of the original Tour de Donut bicycle race -- is starting an effort called Second Saturday Tour.

In a press release distributed by ITS Executive Director Jarid Ott, the group says the purpose of the Second Saturday Tour is to encourage everyone throughout the Staunton area to be outdoors between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon on the second Saturday of every month. There are no distance requirements or timetables. Just walk or ride your bike around your block, neighborhood, town or trail on the morning of the second Saturday of each month.

The idea was hatched last month when Jarid and a group of recumbent tricycle riders took what they called an adventure ride from Staunton to Worden on the Quercus Grove Trail. There were no timetables or schedules whatsoever, which made it all the more enjoyable. They visited the Yellow Dog in Worden for coffee and had brunch at the Staunton Family Restaurant upon their return.

Trail committee members want people to ride for health and environmental reasons, but there's more to the effort than that. "The Second Saturday Tour is all about you, so you are encouraged to smile and wave to your neighbors, meet and visit with those around you and enjoy walking or riding on your tour," says the group's press release. "Perhaps you will discover a new trail, an old coffee shop or an old friend along the way."

The first of the Second Saturday Tours is slated for this Saturday, June 13. A group will be leaving from Duda Garden, 205 N. Union St. in Staunton at 8 a.m., riding to Worden and back.
The next Second Saturday Tour happens to be July 11, which is the same day of this year's Tour de Donut.

Speaking of Tour de Donut, the deadline to register at lower rates -- $20 for solo riders and $40 for tandem teams -- is June 15. After that, the fees go up to $30 for solo riders and $50 for tandems. You can sign up for the ride at BikeReg.com. There is no day-of-ride registration, so you have to sign up online.

Labels: bicycling, Illinois, Tour de Donut

Roger 1 comments 12:06 PM

Saturday, June 06, 2009

"Spoked!": An art show for bicycle fans

The Soulard Art Market and Contemporary Gallery is calling for submissions to “Spoked!” a juried exhibition of local artists. Exhibition runs from Sept., 4 through October 2. S.A.M. is looking to represent a select group of artists in our Contemporary Art Gallery, to exhibit alongside our 15 resident artists.

Here's what the gallery has to say about the event: "In conjunction with the Tour of Missouri, which is a world-class cycling event, we are proud to announce our exhibition “Spoked”. We are seeking artworks that feature bicycling as a theme for inclusion in our show. Our gallery is on the race route, and we have special hours and events planned that are sure to draw a crowd. The eyes of the world will be looking our way and we’re gearing up for the liveliest show this town has seen. Get crankin’!"

The gallery looking for any medium of artwork (painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry) that in any way features bikes or cycling. There is no submission fee, and full details can be found at the event's Web site.

Artists are being asked to consider donating bicycle-themed artwork to a charity silent auction. All proceeds will go directly to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi program which assists children of incarcerated parents. Each artist who donates an artwork valued greater than $100 to the auction will have his name entered into a drawing to receive 2 tickets (value $500) to the Tour of Missouri Gala, a black tie affair presenting the best 125 cyclists from around the world. The auction as well as the gala will be held on Sept. 6 at the City Museum.

The gallery is located 2028 S. 12th St. in St. Louis and is on the course for Stage 1 of the Tour of Missouri on Labor Day (Sept. 7).

At left is a piece I'm considering entering in the contest. It's called "Night Ride, Without Lights, in Southern Illinois." Click on the image to see a more detailed view! The inspiration for this piece is the piece "Midnight on the Ocean" featured in The Three Stooges film "Pop Goes the Easel."

I'm sure you can do better!

Labels: art, bicycling, St. Louis, Tour of Missouri

Roger 1 comments 12:11 PM

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Help sought for Complete Streets

Yesterday, I received a note from League of Illinois Bicyclists Executive Director Ed Barsotti urging me to contact my lawmaker, Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, to support language to requiring states to adopt Complete Streets legislation to receive federal funding for highway projects that receive federal money.

He also asked me to spread the word among the cycling community, and I'm glad to oblige.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is considering the transportation authorization bill, and bicycling groups are asking for the inclusion of Complete Streets requirements as part of the bill. People are urged to contact lawmakers on the committee by early Thursday to include the requirement.

Generally speaking, Complete Streets rules require transportation officials to consider all users -- including bicyclists, pedestrians and the disabled -- while planning highway projects. Illinois adopted Complete Streets two years ago, while Missouri bicycle advocates are facing an uphill battle to get that state to adopt Complete Streets.

The St. Louis area is well-represented on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Costello is the third-ranking Democrat on the committee, and Reps. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., and Phil Hare, D-Ill., also are on the committee. You can see a full list of committee members on its Web site.

Costello's Washington office can be reached at 202-225-5661.

Labels: advocacy, bicycling, League of Illinois Bicyclists

Roger 0 comments 9:23 AM

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Columbia, Mo., makes strides as bicycling city

The Missouri Bicycle Federation is tooting its horn about the strides the city of Columbia, Mo., has made as a cycling and pedestrian and for good reason.

MoBikeFed Executive Director Brent Hugh noted over on the organization's Web site these facts:

• Single-occupant vehicle trips to work and school have dropped by 15% in a single year.
• Bicycle trips more than doubled--increasing from 3.4% to 8.7% of all work/school trips. (Nationally about 0.5% of commute trips are by bicycle.)

In a note to MoBikeFed members, Brent noted, "That's above the latest figures from Portland, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and comparable or even higher
than the latest figures I can find for cities like Madison, Wis., and Berkeley, Calif."

GetAbout Columbia program gets much of the credit for promoting bicycling and walking as transportation in the community, home of the main campus of the University of Missouri. You can read more about Columbia's strides at MoBikeFed's Web site.

Labels: advocacy, bicycling, Missouri

Roger 0 comments 10:34 AM

Monday, April 13, 2009

St. Louis County helmet law: Who knew?

In December, St. Louis County enacted a law effective countywide that requires children 16 and under wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, a scooter, roller skates, roller blades or a skateboard.

But the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Monday that only two citations have been given out since the law went in effect. A reporter's survey of the St. Louis County communities of Kirkwood, Maplewood and Maryland Heights indicates that many police departments are unaware that the law applies to their communities.

A couple of departments questioned the practically of enforcing the ordinance. Here's one example:

"Is it practical to enforce if you come across three or four kids out riding bikes without helmets?" Maryland Heights Police Chief Tom O'Connor told the Post-Dispatch. "What the hell do you do, confiscate their bikes and then drive them all home to tell their parents? It ought to be the parents' responsibility in the first place."

The helmet law does not affect the city of St. Louis because the city is a separate entity from St. Louis County.

Labels: advocacy, bicycling, Missouri, safety

Roger 1 comments 6:37 PM

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Angry driver bites off part of cyclist's ear

Over in New Castle, Ind., Curtis A. Cross, has been accused of biting off a chunk of cyclist Jeffrey H. Guffey's ear on April 1.

The Star-Press of Muncie, Ind., reported that Guffey told police he shouted at a driver of a sport utility vehicle, "Slow down, there are kids out there!"

The SUV driver -- later identified as Cross -- pulled to the side of the street and got out of his vehicle, telling Guffey he "wasn't going to talk to him like that," according to a police report.

Guffey said he told the driver, "I'm just asking you to slow down. I don't want trouble, but there are kids out."

The man hit Guffey in the face, then "took him to the ground, where he struck him some more with his hands, then bit off his ear," city patrolman M. Chase Hightower said in a police report. "Guffey stated the man then got up and spit his ear out at him."

New Castle Police Chief James Nicholson said "a good chunk" of Guffey's left ear was torn off. Guffey was treated at a hospital. Cross has been charged with one count of battery resulting in serious bodily injury.

Here's a video from WISH-TV in Indianapolis about the incident:

Labels: bicycling, crime, Indiana

Roger 1 comments 10:57 PM

Friday, April 10, 2009

Is bicycling bad for the environment?

On his new show "Stuff Happens" on the Planet Green cable network, Bill Nye the Science Guy has reopened the debate about whether bicycling actually is bad for the environment. One of my friends from the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society, Thomas Carter, has this to say about a recent episode of the show:

"Well, the other day the show was based on things in garages. And where do
most people store their bikes, but in a garage. So. ...

He also mentions an amusing University of Pennsylvania study that claims
people who ride bicycles on a regular basis were actually harming the
environment. This is because bicyclists live longer, and by doing so they
are around to consume more and produce more waste.

Okay... bad idea or what."

The study Nye speaks was written by Karl T. Ulrich of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and it's titled "The Environment Paradox of Bicycling" (PDF file). In short, the study suggests there is an immediate energy savings by bicycle riding, since a cyclist is up to nine times more energy efficient than a single-occupant car. However, the study suggests cyclists increase their longevity by 10.6 days for every year of cycling. Because of that, they consume more energy over their lifetimes, thus doing more harm to the environment.

Back in 2006, several media outlets wrote about the study, including NPR, Mongabay.com, the New York Times and Salon.

It should be noted that some of those media sources also describe Ulrich as an avid cyclist and that he admits, "Those who adopt the bicycle as a means of transportation could potentially develop an increased awareness of the environmental impact of their actions and may over their lifetimes reduce energy consumption substantially in their other, non-transportation activities."

I don't know about you, but I'm going to keep on cycling!

Labels: bicycling, television

Roger 1 comments 12:09 AM

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

10 Great American Bike Trails

I wasn't too surprised to see the Katy Trail made the list of 10 Great American Bike Trails recently published at Forbes Traveler and republished at USA Today. I rode the vast majority of the225-mile trail last summer from St. Charles, Mo., to Clinton, Mo., and it exceeded my expectations.

The article, written by Jeff Wallach, quotes Polly Mayberry of the Great Bicycle Trails Web site as saying: "As older riders, surface matters to us. We don’t want to ride a trail that’s too rough. The Katy Trail would be a ten because of the beauty of the territory and the trail surface—mostly of hard-packed limestone. It’s basically flat and it’s an easy ride for people of all ages. You can ride for mile after mile seeing nothing but country."

The other trails that made the list were:

• Hiawatha Trail, Idaho to Montana
  
• Underground Railroad Trail, from Mobile, Ala., to Owen Sound, Ontario
  
• Deschutes River Trail, Oregon
• Great Divide Trail, Roosville, Mont., to Antelope Wells, N.M.
• Trans-America Trail, Astoria, Ore., to Yorktown, Va. (The trail also goes through Missouri and Illinois)
• Slickrock Trail, Moab, Utah
• Green Mountains Loop, Vermont
• C&O Canal and Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage Trail, Washington, D.C., area
• Central Park Loop, New York City

If you want to see a short glimpse and a photo of each trail, go to Forbes Traveler's slideshow. Too bad I don't have the time or money to get to all of these great trails!

Labels: bicycling, touring, trails

Roger 1 comments 10:56 PM

Saluki Spokes keeps cyclists on the move

The Student Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale appears to have a found a good way to serve students who use their bikes as a mode of transportation.

The Student Center recently started the Saluki Spokes program to help those who bike to work, school or for fun or exercise keep their environmentally friendly alternative modes of transportation in working order, The Southern Illinoisan reported.

Saluki Spokes offers several services, including loaning bike locks for use during time on campus and lending wrenches, screwdrivers and oil for basic bike repairs and adjustments. Fix-A-Flat kits are available for purchase.

While Saluki Spokes is not a bike repair shop, both the staff at the Student Center and the Student Recreation Center are dedicated to providing the recreational cyclist, the student, the staff member or the campus visitor with the help needed to repair their bike while here on campus. A valid Dawg Tag -- the student, faculty and staff identification card --or driver’s license will be required to borrow tools, locks, etc.

There are two Saluki Spokes locations: the Craft Shop in the Lower Level of the Student Center and the Student Recreation Center.

From time to time, Saluki Spokes will be putting on bicycle repair workshops.

As an adjunct instructor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, I hope the Saluki Spokes is a success and spreads to SIUC's sister campus and other colleges throughout the country.

Labels: bicycling, Illinois

Roger 0 comments 10:34 PM

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Cardinals pitcher rides his bike to work!

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright -- who helped lead the Cards to the 2006 World Series title with his relief pitching -- is riding his bike to work while the Cardinals are in Spring Training in Jupiter, Fla.

Because of copyright concerns, I'm not showing the full photo by St. Louis Post-Dispatch photographer Chris Lee here, but you can see it here: STLToday.com.

It's hard to believe, but we're only about a month and a half away from the start of the regular season. Play ball!

Labels: bicycling, St. Louis Cardinals

Roger 0 comments 1:52 PM

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Money sought for bicycle/pedestrian projects

The Missouri Bicycle Federation is targeting Sen. Claire McCaskill in its effort to get divvy some of the money in the proposed economic stimulus bill to bicycle and pedestrian projects.

Why Sen. McCaskill? Because she expressed to MoBikeFed Executive Director Brent Hugh
that she thinks there is little support for bicycling and walking outside the big cities.

"The economic stimulus plan under consideration by Congress includes about
$30 billion for roads and highways," Brent wrote in a recent newsletter. "But there is a good chance that little or no money will be included for improving roads for bicycling and walking -- when we know federal and state funded roads are often the biggest dangers to walking and bicycling in Missouri."

Brent goes on to say: "You know that federal transportation funding and policy is one of the biggest reasons Missouri communities are unsafe/unfriendly for bicycling &
walking. Think of the state and federal highways where you live -- are they the best for bicycling and walking, or the worst?"

Last year, I reported that Missouri received a D from the MoBikeFed for its overall bicycle/pedestrian environment. Last year, I also reported that the League of American Bicyclists ranked 28th among Bicycle Friendly State; Illinois ranked 8th.

In case you want to contact the senator, you can reach her through the MoBikeFed's Web site. Of course, you're welcome to contact Missouri's senior senator, Christopher "Kit" Bond as well. Illinois residents can contact Sens. Richard Durbin and Roland Burris, and people in other state can contact their lawmakers. You can find a list of all the senators and links to their Web forms here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Labels: advocacy, bicycling, Missouri, trails

Roger 0 comments 12:37 AM

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Mixed bag on state park, historic site closings

Users of the Hennepin Canal Trail and the I&M Trail are happy that the two Northern Illinois trails have been spared from budget cuts that would have closed or limited access to the trails starting Monday morning.

Hennepin Canal Trail State Park, Channahon Parkway State Park and Gebhard Woods State Park were saved from closing earlier this month when Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich used his amendatory veto power to keep the parks open. The Illinois General Assembly had approved $2.1 million to keep 11 state parks and 12 state historic sites open, but Blagojevich decided to use the money to keep the only three parks listed above plus Kickapoo State Park open.

The League of Illinois Bicyclists was among the groups that pushed to keep Hennepin, Channahon and Gebhard Woods open. The League pointed out that by closing the Hennepin Canal Trail, the state would have been in danger of losing federal transportation money, which was used to build the trail and other state projects.

But as an Illinois history buff of sorts, I'm saddened that several historic sites in Southern Illinois were not spared. Among the sites that will close Monday are the Cahokia Courthouse in St. Clair County, Fort de Chartres, Fort Kaskaskia and the Pierre Menard home in Randolph County and the Vandalia State House in Fayette County.

The first four sites preserve key parts of Illinois' history before it became a state, even as far back as when the French, then the British, governed Illinois.

Kaskaskia was Illinois' first state capital, followed by Vandalia, before the capital moved to Springfield.

I realize the state is in the midst of a budget crisis, but I wish Blagojevich would have had a little more regard for the history of the state in chosing the sites that will be closed.

Labels: bicycling, Illinois, League of Illinois Bicyclists, trails

Roger 2 comments 8:37 PM

Friday, November 14, 2008

Need something to do this weekend?

If you're a St. Louis bicyclist needing something to do Saturday night, here's a couple of suggestions:

Bicycle Bash -- A Salute to Cycling: The St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation will be putting on its Bicycle Bash -- A Salute to Cycling from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the William A. Kerr Foundation, 21 O'Fallon St. in St. Louis on the edge of the Laclede's Landing district. The party will celebrate another successful season of bicycling fun! Entertainment by Big Budget Blues Band. Bring a dish for the buffet table if you like, or just show up. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 at the door. Proceeds will go toward the Bike Fed's ongoing work.

Einstein on a Bike Trivia Night: Trailnet, the St. Louis-based organization that promotes the construction of trails in the St. Louis region and bicycle riding through its Bicycle Fun Club, will be putting on its first-ever Einstein on a Bike Trivia Night at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Blvd. in St. Louis' Central West End. The good news for Trailnet -- but the bad news for you -- is that all the tables are booked for the event. That means unless you know somebody who needs an extra player for his or her team, you're out of luck.

On its Web site, the Bike Fed apologizes for scheduling its bicycle party the same night as the Trailnet event, but the group is hoping that many people can still make both events.

Beyond this weekend, mark your calendar for these events:

• Highway 40 West End Opening Celebration: The STL Bike Fed and Big Shark Bicycle Co. are planning the Ride 64 bicycle event, which tiedto the Missouri Department of Transportation's West End Opening Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 14. The west section of the rebuilt Interstate 64-U.S. Route 40, better known as Highway 40 to the locals, reopens to motorized traffic on Dec. 15.
  
  Bike 64 consists of a fun ride on the westbound lanes of the highway from noon to 2:30 p.m. and a 9-mile time trial, also on the westbound lanes of the highway, also from noon to 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required for both events. The cost of the fun ride is $25 for adults and $10 for kids 15 and younger and go up to $35 and $15 respectively after Dec. 3. The cost of the time trial is $25. Proceeds from the fun ride will go toward the Bike Fed's efforts to install bike racks in St. Louis city and county.
  
  You better ride it while you can. Once the road reopens to motorized traffic, bicycles are prohibited from interstate highways in Missouri.
  
  
• Cranksgiving Day Food Ride: St. Louis BicycleWORKS will be putting on its third annual Cranksgiving Day Food Ride at noon Sunday, Nov. 23 at BicycleWORKS' shop at 4109 Shenandoah Ave. in St. Louis. Last year, 72 riders donated hundreds of food items to those who needed them. BicycleWORKS hopes to triple the amount this year. Each participant on the 5- or 25-mile routes will be asked to buy at least $20 in food and be able to carry the goods with them on their bicycles. The rain date is Sunday, Nov. 30.
  
  
• Friends of Hostelling Trivia Night: The Gateway Council of Hostelling International, which puts on the Moonlight Ramble, Tour de Stooges and other great cycling events, will put on a Trivia Night on Jan. 16 at the Maryland Heights Community Center at 2344 McKelvey Road in Maryland Heights, Mo. The cost of the event is $120 for a table of eight, and all proceeds will be use for the development of a hostel in north St. Louis.
  
  
• Tour de Stooges: Speaking of the ride that I lead for the Gateway Council, the 12th edition of the Tour de Stooges will take place Saturday, May 2, in Highland, Ill. I expect to update the site in the next week, and registration for the event likely will open in the neighborhood of Jan. 1.

Labels: bicycling, Gateway Council of Hostelling International, St. Louis, St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, Trailnet

Roger 1 comments 2:49 PM