Sunday, August 31, 2008

Article in Newsday about NYC Critical Mass


NYC bike riders say they still face uphill battle.



By LARRY NEUMEISTER | Associated Press Writer
August 30, 2008
NEW YORK - It has been four years since the Republicans staged their national convention in Manhattan, but the experience is fresh on the minds of bicyclists who say they are still getting a bumpy ride from police.

With a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, the Five Borough Bicycle Club is fighting new Police Department rules that the cyclists say were drawn up to retaliate against people participating in Critical Mass, a monthly ride that sometimes draws hundreds of two-wheelers to busy city streets.

The regulations, adopted last year, require groups of 50 people or more traveling together on a public way to get a parade permit from the police department.

The legal fight is the latest in a string that began during the 2004 Republican National Convention, when police arrested more than 260 cyclists during a Critical Mass ride.


Read more here.

Article on Bike Polo during NACCC in Chicago

Article in the Missourian

Bike polo team to compete in Chicago tournament
August 28, 2008 | 5:08 p.m. CDT


Drew Deubner, a junior at MU reaches with his mallet for a polo ball on the rooftop of Hitt Street Parking garage in Columbia. He and several other friends gather weekly to play bike polo. ¦ CALIN ILEA/MISSOURIAN

article by: JESS BLUMENSHEID
COLUMBIA — "Game on!"

This was the cheer Wednesday night after police gave Columbia's bike polo team permission once again to practice in a downtown parking garage.

Columbia's bike polo players have no team name, no designated home base and few fans. The team organized in February after a group of cycling friends decided informally to give polo on wheels a shot.

Their passion for the game has driven the team to practice twice a week, building skills that allow them to compete against teams from much bigger cities.


rest of the article Here.

More Hijinks at the Republican National Convention.

Picture posted on flickr by: waitingline


Following similar patterns from large scale protests and past Conventions, the police have continued to harass, threaten and disrupt people's constitutional rights of free assembly.

Now we move on to the Republican National Convention being held in the Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Last week the police stopped members of the New York Based Glass Bead Collective and confiscated their laptops and video equipment. Thanks to hard work of the National Lawyers Guild they got it back, except for the $100.00 cash, that was a welcome fee from the office of Homeland Insecurity.

Over the weekend the cops with nothing better to do but raid convergence spaces and harass people were at it again...must have needed more cash. And you'll never guess what they claimed their reasoning was...Anarchists!!

Got this message from Eileen Clancey of I-Witness video yesterday:

"This is Eileen Clancy.
The house that I-Witness Video where is staying in St. Paul has been
surrounded by police. We are in town to cover the Republican National
Convention. We have locked all the doors. We have been told that if we
leave we will be detained. One of our people who was caught outside is
being detained in handcuffs in front of the house. The police say that
they are waiting to get a search warrant. More than a dozen police are
wielding firearms, including one St. Paul officer with a long gun, which
someone told me is an M-16.

At least one local TV crew is here along with some legal observers. Our
colleagues at Glass Bead Collective are outside videotaping.

We are suffering a preemptive video arrest.

Please contact the office of the St. Paul mayor. I am not in a position
to do Internet research so if someone else could look that up and also
contact news media in town for the RNC and local news media, that would be
great.

All the best,
Eileen"


There was this article in the Star Tribune:

Police raid RNC protest sites in Twin Cities
By Abby Simons, Heron Marquez Estrada and Bill McAuliffe, Star Tribune
August 30, 2008 - 6:26 PM

Ramsey County authorities conducted raids across Minneapolis and St. Paul Friday and Saturday as a pre-emptive strike against disruptive protests of the Republican National Convention.

Five people were arrested and more than 100 were handcuffed, questioned and released by scores of deputies and police officers, according to police and elected officials familiar with the raids.

In a statement Saturday morning, Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said the St. Paul raid targeted the RNC Welcoming Committee, a group he described as "a criminal enterprise made up of 35 self-described anarchists...intent on committing criminal acts before and during the Republican National Convention."


Full article Here.


Then I got this message:


"This is Eileen. The house raid is over. We have been released from our
cuffs and the police have our house. Our belongings were searched. But we
have not inventoried them so we do not yet know yet if something is
missing.

5 other I-Witness Video folks were detained, both on bicycles and in a
rental car. Moments ago, I heard that 3 were released. We do not know the
status of the other 2.

Please keep phoning the St. Paul Mayor's office. Many thanks for your
calls and ongoing support.

I will write later."

- Eileen


Then later I got ths:


"Hello folks,
All of our people have been released. As you know from our earlier
messages, several of us experienced a house raid earlier today. Two
others who were in a car were picked up and held for four hours. Three
people were also detained for a couple of hours.

There was a significant media presence documenting our detention --
several local television stations, the NY Times, NPR station WNYC,
Democracy Now and others.

Now we need to take some time to document what has happened to us and
re-group with our people.

We all received many e-mails and phone calls. Thanks again for calling the
St. Paul Mayor's office.

We will write again soon."

- Eileen Clancy


Ah, this is why the terrorists hate us. Because we are so "Free." Nothing more threatening to the security of the RNC delegates then an overturned dumpster by a "self-described" anarchist.

Article in Chicago Tribune about Fixed Gear Trend

No brakes, and they like it
Brakeless bikes are the latest in-thing for the cycling set. But amateur riders pose a hazard to others, observers say.

By Megan Twohey | Chicago Tribune reporter
August 31, 2008

It was dusk in Wicker Park, and cyclists wearing fitted jeans, caps and hooded sweat shirts were gathering for a nighttime ride.

Different frames and colors flashed in the streetlight—a Cinelli Vigorelli, sleek and white; a red Motobecane with purple grips.

But in a controversial and increasingly popular trend, not one of the bicycles had brakes. As the cyclists glided onto the streets on their fixed-gear bikes, the only way for them to slow down was to force the rear wheels into a skid.

State law prohibits riding brakeless bikes on the streets, but that hasn't stopped a growing number of young people from hitting the road with bicycles they see as pure and stripped-down.


Rest of the article here.

There's also a brief video:


Stay tuned for my complete report on Friday's Critical Mass in NYC.

Labels: ,

Friday, August 29, 2008

Critical Mass is Tonight...all around the world.

picture from DNC critical mass, taken by: Tyler Dickey

In Minneapolis it will be the critical mass before the RNC swine convention begins.
Law enforcement already preparing for "anarchists," according to this article from Twin Cities Fox news affiliate.

Here in NYC..

Well you know the drill. But don't believe the hype.

Article in Today's Metro:

ARREST SET COURSE FOR PROTESTS IN CITY
by amy zimmer / metro new york
AUG 29, 2008


Friday night’s Critical Mass marks a seminal event in the ride’s history: Four years ago the police arrested more than 250 people during the monthly ride that attracted thousands during the Republic National Convention.
The ride — which has been a New York City fixture since 1993 — had a party-like vibe prior to August 2004. Critical Mass regulars believe the police tactics they saw during the RNC has not relented since.

“People are still concerned that the NYPD is using excessive force and harassment,” said Barbara Ross, who was arrested during the convention.

The RNC experience was a “turning point” for Ross, a volunteer for Times Up! — the environmental group that promotes Critical Mass. “I had never been involved in fighting for First Amendment issues.”

While some, like Ross, became more politically active, others just left town.

“I know people who left New York … some people didn’t feel safe around the cops anymore," said Mark Taylor, who had just started law school when he was arrested during the RNC while riding as a legal observer. “It was a dramatic thing to see mass arrests and be caught up in it and see how arbitrary it was.”

He now works on cases defending Critical Mass riders, including Christopher Long, who was filmed being knocked off his bike by a cop during last month’s Critical Mass.

“There’s more public awareness of what the police department is up to and more recognition of a lack of oversight,” Taylor said. “But I don’t think the police feel any more restrained.”

--

Open arms

“I think Summer Streets was an important lesson for the city,” Ross said. “If the NYPD works with the cyclists like before the RNC, I’m convinced the ride will grow again with families, older cyclists and a more diverse ride.”


Time's Up released this press release about tonight's ride:


Link to Press Release Here

(Happy Now Barbara)

CYCLISTS WILL RIDE PEACEFULLY TOGETHER FOR SAFETY ON FRIDAY’S CRITICAL MASS

Critical Mass gains support from the community after release of videos
showing NYPD’s harassment of the ride since the 2004 Republic National
Convention

WHAT: Critical Mass Ride
WHEN: Friday, August 29, 2008 at 7:00 PM
WHERE: Union Square Park North at 17th Street
**Ride participants & supporters will be available for comments before the
ride begins.

New York, NY (August 29, 2008) – Friday night, cyclists will gather at
7:00 PM in Union Square North for the Critical Mass monthly group ride.
Supporters of the ride will be there to send off cyclists who have
continued hitting the car-clogged streets, despite 4 years of harassment
from the NYPD since the 2004 Republican National Convention. Outrage from
the community has been growing since a bystander’s video was released by
Time’s Up! and the Glass Bead Collective showing Officer Patrick Pogan
body slamming Christopher Long off his bicycle while riding on the July
2008 Critical Mass. Members of the City Council have also joined the
chorus of indignation, calling for the Manhattan District Attorney to
investigate the NYPD’s policies toward Critical Mass rides.

"Under the management of Mayor Bloomberg, the NYPD has waged an expensive,
unnecessary and dangerous campaign against group bicycle rides and
non-polluting transportation since 2004. Time’s Up! and the cycling
community are confident that public pressure will convince the NYPD to
return to the more sensible police tactics used prior to the Republican
National Convention," says Barbara Ross, a regular Critical Mass
participant and volunteer with Time's Up! Environmental Group.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Video of Christopher Long body slammed by NYPD on July 2008 Critical Mass
ride in Time’s Square:
Youtube

City Council Member’s letter to the Manhattan DA calling for an
investigation into the NYPD’s policies toward Critical Mass:
http://www.times-up.org/uploads/pdf/Letter_to_DA.pdf

Time’s Up! letter to the editor published in New York Times replying to
Raymond Kelly’s comments on Critical Mass:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/opinion/lweb13bikes.html?ref=opinion

###

Critical Mass is a monthly celebration of non-polluting transportation,
which takes place in hundreds of cities around the world. Critical Mass
and other group rides have contributed to the increase in cycling and
safer streets.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Reporter looking for New Bikers.

I got this email from a local television producer who is looking to do a story about people who have started riding bicycle due to the high costs of gas.

Here is what she is looking for:

"I'm a TV reporter who works for a newsmagazine show where I do lots of stories on the economy.

I'm working on a story about how people are changing how they get to work due to high gas prices.

I was wondering if you knew of people (in the five boroughs or Lower Hudson Valley) who started biking to work (or anywhere else) to save money.

If so, can you please forward me their contact information?

I'd like to interview them for my story.

Please email (kyueh@rnntv.com) or call (914.417.2726) me with any questions.

I look forward to your response. Thanks a lot!
Kelly Yueh
RNN-TV
Regional News Network

NYC-Sunday, Sunset Ride

Rolling Down the Walls!

Ride for freedom!

August, 31st

Support US-held Political Prisoners and Prisoners-of-War, as well as
collective cycling empowerment, at ROLLING DOWN THE WALLS, a 5-mile
bike ride to benefit the ABCF Warchest and the Freegan Bike Workshop!

Join in the community effort to support and raise awareness of those who
have been targeted and punished for their political actions and beliefs.
Bring your wallet and checkbook and get ready to ride!

Join us at 123 Community Space at 6 pm (or just meet us at St. Marks
Church at 8 pm for the after-party). The ROLLING DOWN THE WALLS ride will
begin at 6:30 as we set off into the sunset, across the Williamsburg
bridge and arrive at St. Marks Church for refreshments at the Anarchist
Salon, a new anarchist event now running every Sunday. Get your picture
taken at the top of the bridge with your bike, your friend, your crush, or
your friend's bike. Send a copy to your Political Prisoner penpal(s)!

Founded in 1994, the Warchest Program has provided consistent and
reliable financial aid to Political Prisoners and Prisoners-of-War
held within the US prison system who receive little or no other
financial aid. Since its creation, it has raised over $50,000 for
these prisoners and will continue in these efforts.

The Freegan Bike Workshop shares skills with children and adults so
that they can turn found bike parts into working bicycles.
Workshops are Wed. from 6-9pm, and Sat. 2-7pm at the 123 Community Space.

Both NYC Anarchist Black Cross Federation and the Freegan Bike
Workshop are member organizations of the 123 Community Space.
Take the opportunity to come out and see what all the fuss is about at
123! Then ride for freedom and cross the bridge to the Anarchist Salon.

More information. . .

ABCF Warchest Program- http://www. abcf. net/abcf. asp?page=warchest

NYC Anarchist Black Cross Federation- nycabc[at]riseup[dot]net
myspace. com/nycanarchistblackcross
http://www. abcf. net/

Freegan Bike Workshop- http://www. myspace. com/freeganbikeworkshop

DONT BE LEFT BEHIND.

Video From DNC Critical Mass



with this information from: DVONS27

"Critical Mass in Denver during the Democratic National Convention. It was awesome. Probably at least 600 riders. At first the cops were escorting us, and were allowing us to go through red lights, but at the end, they said we were impeding traffic, so they sent out the riot police. People started getting arrested, and getting tickets. More Bikes, Less Oil! "

Video from Rage Against the Machine Concert yesterday.

Found this website with good coverage from yesterday's Tent State concert.

KGNU.org

Freewheelin Program in Denver during convention.

Despite the 50 million dollars spent on, new riot gear for cops...I mean "Security," this years Democratic National Convention is being touted as the, "Greenest" convention in history.

Cyclejerks.org has posted some videos about the Freewheeling program which is set up to lend bikes to people to get around the convention.



Videos by: Fireside productions, a local Colorado production company.

Forget 1968, its 1984.

The Republican National Convention hasn't even started yet in Minneapolis, but the police are all ready cracking down.

Three members of NYC's Glass Bead Collective got the shake down in true fascist style.

Local protesters stifled
Group hassled by Minnesota cops in advance of GOP convention
by amy zimmer / metro new york

AUG 27, 2008

Just after a group of New Yorkers were released by Chinese authorities, other locals were detained by authorities in a different setting: Three members of the Glass Bead Collective were in Minneapolis prepping a few days before filming protests during the Republican National Convention.

After being held early yesterday morning for an hour, their camera equipment, computers, notes and even someone’s backpack of clothes were seized, according to Vladimir Teichberg. His video group helped air the YouTube clip of a Critical Mass bicyclist last month getting shoved off his bike by a cop.

"They took our tools of the trade." Teichberg said by phone from
Minneapolis, where he has been since Thursday to “get a feel” for the city and meet with groups planning actions. “We’re interested in people coming to protest, … what they’re trying to say and how they’re trying to say it, and to what extent they will be allowed to say it.”

According to a Minneapolis Police Department report, the trio trespassed and committed a “homeland security offense.” They were observed walking out of a railroad yard, the report states.

But Teichberg said he, Olivia Katz and Anita Brathwaite had come off a bus around 2 a.m. when cop cars surrounded them.

“At first they told us they were looking for people breaking into cars,” Teichberg said. “They started searching us. … They questioned us: Why are we here, what is our allegiance, who do we support for president?” … I said, This is crazy, like ‘1984.’”

They were not arrested.


Article here.

Article on New Bike Lane on Broadway


Article in the NY times about the new bike lanes on Broadway in Midtown.
Ok, I messed with this photo a bit. I love the motorcycle riding in the bike lane.

Front-Row Seats on Broadway, if You Dare
By WILLIAM NEUMAN
Published: August 25, 2008

As if New York wasn’t stimulating enough already, the city has provided a new kind of thrill right in the heart of Midtown: an esplanade carved into Broadway where people can sit and relax as cars and trucks whiz by.

And while the esplanade seems to have become an instant hit with office workers and tourists — the metal benches, tables and chairs (some under red umbrellas) were rarely empty on Monday morning, even though they have been out for only a few days — many eyed the traffic warily.


read the rest of the article here.

Now is it just me or is this bike lane totally a ridiculous place to ride your bike?

Whats going on at the DNC, real reports from the streets.

Yesterday was a rousing speech by Dennis Kucinich, which I'm sure nobody heard, because it wasn't popularized, just like most of the Representative from Ohio's campaign.

Wake Up America...


Here are a few great sources of video from the streets sent to me from breathingplanet.net

First off, an amazing job from submedia.tv.
Check out the reports from the Stimulator on police feeling threatened by: a female code pink activist, food not bombs and peaceful demonstrators.

Here we go again, arrest them first, trample civil rights and pay massive amounts in law suits years from now.

Yesterday, Iraq Veterans Against the War, staged a simulation of their raids in Iraq, which seem to closely resemble the riot cops treatment of demonstrators.



More on this from Mobileboradcastnews.com

and a report from Al Jazeera English:


Last night,
Rage Against the Machine played a free concert and there was a Critical Mass:

From the Denver Post:

Denver reaches "Critical Mass"
By Carlos Illescas and Greg Mellen

Some 200 bicyclists met at Civic Center tonight, circled the park then headed west on 15th Street to an unknown destination as part of the "Critical Mass" bicycling event.

The event, which is held in cities nationwide, is typically on the last Friday of every month. But with the Democratic National Convention in town, bicyclists decided to hit the road Wednesday to draw attention to the relationship between bicyclists and motorists.

More here.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Park Slope resident is selling Workman Trike

Wanted to post this bike for sale:

Workman lite Trike for sale.

For sale: Worksman Star-Lite Trike, a very solid adult recreational tricycle from America's oldest bike manufacturer, Worksman (worksman.com). This is a premium model, with 3 speeds/gear settings. It has two brakes: a rear coaster foot-operated drum brake and a hand-operated front drum brake. The front brake has a brake lock on the hand control, to keep the trike stationary when necessary. It has a wide, heavily cushioned seat and a removable, height-adjustable tilt-adjustable back rest. It has ample room and a mounting area for a basket or other such addition.

The trike is in BRAND NEW CONDITION, because soon after it was purchased, the owner could no longer ride it for medical reasons. Its new condition is very evident from the body and tires. Worksman makes industrial and military tricycles, as shown on their website. This Star-Lite Trike is very sturdy and stable. It can be ridden by older adults, people lacking the balance for a bike or others.

Worksman's site reveals that such 3 speed dual brake trikes go for around $500. Various other models have only 1 speed and/or 1 brake (often a caliper brake, not a drum brake). For this delux model tricycle in brand new condition, $300, o.b.o., is a very good deal.

email: trike@brooklynzone.com

More Pictures at brooklynzone.com/trike.html

The Wednesday News Round Up.

This is a new section of my blog where I scan the globe for bicycle related news stories. (Ok actually I just search google)

Today in the news:



The BBC reports that Igor Kent, a local Toronto Bike shop owner was shut down for having over 3,000 bikes, many of them stolen.

article:

Prolific bicycle thief arrested

Canadian police have arrested one of the world's most prolific bicycle thieves after discovering almost 3,000 bikes in his possession.

Igor Kenk, the owner of a bicycle store in Toronto, was held last month after they noticed that reports of bicycle thefts had spiked sharply.

After planting several bikes around the city, plainclothes officers waited to see who would steal them.


more Here

New York-Bicycle Activists propose-"Car Free" Prospect Park.

Bicycle Activists Propose 'Car-Free' Prospect Park

Group 'Transportation Alternatives' Calls On Mayor Bloomberg To Consider Full-Time Ban In Famous Park
Reporting
Magee Hickey
BROOKLYN (CBS) ― How does this sound: a totally "car-free" Prospect Park in Brooklyn? It's a proposal a group of bicycle activists is pushing hard for next summer.

According to the group Transportation Alternatives, the three-week experiment to shut down certain streets on the East Side of Manhattan to cars on August weekends has been such a huge success, that Mayor Michael Bloomberg should want to ban cars from Prospect Park as part of his lasting legacy. At least that's the argument the activist group is making.


Complete article here.

2008 Univest Grand Prix is coming to Eastern Pennsilvania

The Souderton Independent reports on this upcoming cycling classic.

Univest Grand Prix pedals on, prepares for upcoming race
By: Bob Keeler, Staff Writer

"He just destroyed the field last year, blew the race into a thousand pieces and he basically replicated that ride that he did at Univest last year in a stage of the Tour de France," said John Eustice, president of Sparta Cycling and the UGP's race promoter.
Frischkorn, riding for the Garmin-Chipotle team in its first Tour de France appearance, didn't win the stage earlier this summer, but he came in a close second, Eustice said at an Aug. 11 press conference in Doylestown to talk about this year's Univest Grand Prix.


article here.

Georgia man wins 36th annual Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb.

Georgia man wins bike race up NH's Mt. Washington-A.P.

MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H.—A college student from Georgia finished nearly two minutes ahead of his closest competitor Saturday to win the 36th annual Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb.

Phillip Gaimon, a University of Florida at Gainesville senior from Tucker, Ga., finished the 7.6 mile road to the top of the Northeast's highest peak in 54 minutes, 57 seconds.


article here.

More bicyclists take to the street due to high gas prices.
By SEAN NEALON
The Press-Enterprise

More people are commuting by bike because it can save money, improve health and help the environment. But it also can be dangerous, especially in car-centric Southern California.

A driver making a mid-block U-turn hit Redlands bike commuter Jonathan Baty, bruising his hip and damaging his bike. San Bernardino bicycle commuter Steven Christiansen continues to have back pain after being hit and thrown 20 feet. Roger Uminski, who commutes by bike from Redlands to Riverside, hasn't been in a collision, but has had change thrown at him.


article in the Press-Enterprise

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

And so it continues...

Got a disturbing email from Eileen Clancy of I-Witness Video

Folks,
I am in Denver and will be on Democracy Now in the morning, in the first
hour of their special two-hour convention coverage to talk about the
policing of the Democratic National Convention so far.

I will also be discussing some disturbing news which we received in the
middle of the night. Our colleagues at the Glass Bead Collective, a group
of video artists and documentarians, are in the Twin Cities to prepare for
the Republican National Convention. They were swarmed by three police
cars, detained and had all of their electronic gear, including laptop
computers, videocameras and personal items were taken from them by
Minneapolis police. No one was arrested. The stop and seizure was
explained by police officers as related to Homeland Security and the
Republican Convention. Needless to say, this is extremely upsetting to
hear.

More details to come later, folks.

- Eileen Clancy
I-Witness Video

========================

2 words...POLICE STATE.

DNC in full swing.


Well its that time of year again. When Presidential candidates (backed by major corporate dollars) spend millions on their conventions, preach about freedom and equality and fully allow their host cities to become militarized police states that look a lot like this:


Wow, I remember back in 2004. Ah yes the Republican National Convention in the oh so Republican town of New York. By allowing my city to host the RNC (Thanks Mayor Bloomberg) lets remember some of the good times:

*We turned our 10 year Critical Mass into a violent battleground of police harassment.
*We got lots of people arrested, even for just standing on the sidewalk thinking about protesting.
*Tied up the court system with hundreds of lawsuits for things like locking people in a toxic bus depot for 48 hours. Many of these cases are still pending but most of them have been dropped favoring the demonstrators.
*Allowed plain clothes officers to manically ride around on scooters ramming into people.
*Sent NYPD cops all over the country to infiltrate such violent protest groups like the "Billionaires for Bush."

Denver will be having a critical mass on Wednesday August 27th.



For some good independent coverage...check out:

Democracy Now.

For reporting from working Denver Bike Messengers check out:

Cyclejerks.com
Today was their first day recap, with images of protests, bike cops and the freewheelin, bike sharing program.


The guy on the far left, definitely needs to be riding that bike a whole lot more...and not just to Dunkin Donuts.

According to
Streetsblog


NYC's head of the DOT was in Denver having a round table discussion on transportation infrastructure.

Redbull Rampage



From 2001-2004 Redbull has sponsered the ultimate in freeride mountain biking, an extreme terrain in on a sandstone ridge near Virgin, Utah.

(I'm not sure what happened after 2004...too many redbulls me thinks.)

Well now their coming back putting the Mountain in Mountain biking and new kidneys in their backsides...

This Fall Redbull Rampage is back!!!
REDBULLRAMPAGE.COM

This time its really really really really really really extreme!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comedy...more like...Look! No Brain!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Cyclehawk gets it done

Cyclehawk messengers in NYC now have a new ride to their fleet. Really showing how you can get the job done using bicycle power.

Cab Driver in Miami

In Miami, a cab driver is trying for his own Olympic record of the number of cyclists he can take out.


Sunday, on the MacArthur Causeway, a cab struck eleven cyclists out for a club ride.
According to the Miami Herald Six of the cyclists were rushed to local hospitals. The most seriously injured was a 48-year-old man who is in critical condition and undergoing surgery at Ryder Trauma Center; five others were in stable condition. The other five suffered severe road burn when thrown to the pavement and were treated at the scene.

Unbelievable. My thoughts go out to all those injured. The cabie will probably get a slap on the wrist and this will be considered an "unfortunate accident," with no investigation.

Time to get it on...

Now that the Olympics are over, we can get on to some more important athletic endevours, like:


Pittsburgh's Pirate Bike Olympics
Over Labor Day weekend.

For more events like this and other Pittsburgh alleycats visit:


Pittsburgh Alleycats.com

Meanwhile. This weekend Chicago will be hosting the 2008 National Cycle Courier Championships, otherwise known as the NACCC.



Check out Chicagonaccc.com and I know Hipsternascar will be throwing down some good info from his hometown turf.

Kicking things off with a Messenger Prom on August 30th:


and a bike polo tournament:


Speaking of the Olympics, China is still holding a dozen foreigners including 8 Americans, 1 being a friend of mine, Brian Conley, for such heinous acts as unfurling a protest banner. Wow, what a fair and tolerant host country. I hope all the new consumers they have opened up to Pepsi products was worth it.

More on the bullshit of the Chinese government here.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Bike Sharing is up and running in DC-Brought to you by Clear Channel...ugh.

Last week a bicycle sharing program was launched in Washington DC. The system, modeled after the highly successful Velib program in France. This new program, kicked off by making 100 bicycle available for a $40.00 a year membership fee.

Here is an article from the LA times explaining how the system works:

DC Rolls out Bike Sharing Plan to thin Traffic.
By Cynthia Dizikes, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 15, 2008


Read article here.

The bad news is its sponsored by mega-media conglomerate, Clear Channel, the same people who banned the Dixie Chicks for being anti-war. I guess someone has to pay for this and it seems as if they have a full staff to maintain the bicycles. I'm sure this has nothing to do with all the advertising revenue potential from various kiosks set up around DC. It just seems a little weird to have a corporation who constantly supports the Republicans, you know the people who's policies have lead to a warm planet and inflated gas prices, to now be trying to get more people on bikes. I guess its like Exxon trying to profit off the oil and the alternative fuel. The good news is that there is a new system in America where you can have another option in getting around by bicycle started in the Nation's capital.

Here is the website for the program: www.smartbikedc.com

Streetfilms went down to DC to check out the new system:


For more info check out this posting at Streetsblog.org

and

Bike-sharing.blogspot.com

on another DC note: Happy Birthday to Gwadzilla Joel, my favorite DC bike blogger.

Friday, August 22, 2008

2 events going on tomorrow in NYC.

Pabst Blue Ribbon and Bustin Board Company presents:

Brooklyn Blitz 2008



What: "Brooklyn Blitz 2008" - BIKES AND BOARDS!!!!

When: Sunday, August 24 @ 7pm sharp

South end of McCarren Park @ 6-6:30pm, following the Jelly NYC McCarren Pool Party
Bike and boards race,blitzkrieg around brooklyn.

: Pabst Blue Ribbon , Bustin Boards, NYC massive +Co + guests will be sponsoring the event and free beer/raffle giveaways at East River Bar afterwards.
who is fastest,board vs.board and bike vs bike. Show up 6-6:30 at the south end of McCarren Park and get your checkpoint manifest card, doubling as your VIP beer ticket to use at East River Bar for free beer. Bikes and boards will pile high, horn will sound @ 7pm, and we'll be off to ravage the streets of Williamsburg, meet your checkpoints and get to the bar with your completed card to drink FREE PBR and chill with the dopest people in this city.==

race starts Sunday, August 24 at 7pm sharp!


Then there is the Lower East Side Bike Show and BBQ.

11am at PS 142, 100 Attorney Street, corner of Rivington in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

Come Celebrate being a New Yorker on two wheels, all Bicycles Welcome, bring yours.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Video from XLR8R on Quake City Rumble


Every city has a premiere event, Minneapolis has Stuper Bowl, NYC: Monster Track and the Halloween Race, Portland, has the West Side Invitational.

San Francisco has the Quake City Rumble.

A three day fest of alleycat races, bike events and showing off what SF has to offer.

Shawn Reynaldo of XLR8r online magazine, sent me this video of the event.

Here is the link.@xlr8r.com

Letter to the Editor from Bill DiPaola

The executive director of Time's Up wrote a letter to the editors of the New York Times about Critical Mass and misconceptions of the NYPD. This was in response to an article that was published on August 4th.

Op-Ed here.

Letter
The Cyclists and the Police
Published: August 12, 2008

To the Editor:

Re “Police and a Cyclists’ Group, and Four Years of Clashes” (news article, Aug. 4), in which I am quoted as the director of Time’s Up, which promotes the Critical Mass rides but is not involved.

in organizing them:

The function of Critical Mass is to create a safe space where people can ride together. Group rides like Critical Mass play an important role in generating new cyclists, who in turn become everyday bike commuters. The ride grew steadily for a decade until the crackdown after the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.

The article reports that Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly “said the Police Department wants to work with the riders.” By no means has the Police Department tried to work with us. Critical Mass riders have been harassed, spied on, beaten, arrested and even sued by the city. Yet we have prevailed in the courtroom — it has been proved over and over that police statements do not match videotaped evidence.

We also contest Mr. Kelly’s claim that Critical Mass riders go against traffic. While it is true that the ride has no set route, under normal circumstances, it does follow the traffic flow.

Most appalling is Mr. Kelly’s and the spokesman’s assertion that the ride was “hijacked” by an “anarchist group” before the Republican convention. This is a baseless scare tactic. Critical Mass has no leaders. The lack of control that Mr. Kelly calls anarchy can be better termed community.

We are aware that the phenomenon of leaderless mass bike rides can be perceived as something different and unusual to the police. But that does not make it provocation or anarchy. It is a celebration of what our streets could look like in a better New York City.

Bill DiPaola
New York, Aug. 5, 2008

The writer is the executive director of Time’s Up, an environmental organization.

Pete Wagner, Bicyclist of the Month

Hello everyone,
I'm in Portland Oregon, the "Platinum" City, according to the League of American Bicyclists. Of course, its soooooo Portland.

I'll be here for a long weekend, checking out bike shops, organic brew pubs and the Nation's most bike friendly city.

Here is a video from Nick Whitaker on Pete Wagner, bicyclist of the month.


Pete Wagner, Bicyclist of the Month Profile from Nicholas Whitaker on Vimeo.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Video of Summer Streets.

Gothamist wants to know what you thought of Summer Streets.
Check out their online poll here.

Here is Clarence Eckerson, Jr's video from this Saturday:

New Olympic event...Dismantling Free Speech...Olympic Comitee gets the gold.

Students for a free Tibet had a candle light vigil and protest at the Chinese consulate on August 7th, on the eve of the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games in Beijing.

Apparently the Olympic committee has taken the video of this demonstration down from Youtube. Not quite the image they want of happy children dancing to fireworks.

More on this story on Gothamist.

Here it is on Vimeo.



NYC Chinese Consulate Projection Action 08.07.08 from Students for a Free Tibet on Vimeo.

The Who Farm

Today I was making multiple trips into the city from Brooklyn, trying to avoid potential downpours. Failing miserably. I rode through the Flat Iron district around 23rd and Broadway, which has become this bizarre maze of orange cones and Green painted bike lanes all flowing in a rather illogical order. Then I discovered the D.O.T. secret plan for making our streets more "ecco-friendly," paving them with birdseed.

show here to the left of the green lanes. Not sure why there are sporatic zones of what looks like birdseed. But the birds aren't eating it. It does seem to limit thespace for motor vehicles so it looks like both the 34th/Broadway and the 23rd intersections are big enough to provide lots of room for big wide bike lanes and vehicular traffic.

Then I headed over to the Green Market in Union Square and saw this bizarre site:

No its not a bunch of freaks heading to burning man, oh, wait they are, but its also: Daniel Bowman Simon's the thewhofarm.org.

That stands for the White House Organic Farm Project. The idea is that the 17 acres of land currently occupied by the president belongs to the people and therefore should have an organic farm on it growing wholesome natural food...and be a model for the world. The goal would be to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to local residents fo the DC area.

9/1/08 will be the date of an online petition to demand the farm be built.

from their website:
TheWhoFarm Project is a non-partisan, petition-based initiative
to respectfully request that our 44th President plant an organic farm
on the grounds of the White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The farm will be tended by school children and Americans with disabilities,
to feed the President, healthy school lunch programs, and food pantries.
The farm will serve as a model for education, health, and sustainability
for the United States of America
& the world at large.

There will be a fund raiser for the WHOFarm, tomorrow in Central Park.

More info:
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Roof Garden and Gallery @ The Arsenal, Central Park
830 5th Avenue, New York, NY (@ 64th Street)
RSVP: rsvp@TheWhoFarm.org

We just purchased the Topsy Turvy bus from Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's...using credit cards, which will come due soon. We also need gas money, etc. We are planting a small organic farm on the roof.

On Tuesday, come support our version of Community Supported Agriculture...buy a share in TheWhoFarm...the bounty of course is an organic farm at our shared house, The White House.
(Suggested donation: as much as you can possibly afford! $100+ preferred...but nobody turned away for lack of $100 bills :)

Come for excellent tasty local food and drink, as well as gorgeous views of Central Park, the zoo, and the rest of it...we are working on fine entertainment as well...bring friends.

From now through Friday Aug 15, we are in NYC prepping and promoting TheWhoFarm at events, gardens, and greenmarkets...before heading West towards California (via Cleveland, Chicago, Denver, and Burning Man) for Slow Food Nation Labor Day weekend. We'll also hit Austin City Limits at the end of Sept, but the rest of the itinerary is still in planning stages...so if you have any suggestions...let us know...

FACEBOOK EVENT LINK:
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=105429#/event.php?eid=23305737567

PLEASE DONATE NOW AT:
http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P2XORNYMU3QCCE
or send a check to:
The White House Organic Farm Project
328 Flatbush Avenue, #118, Brooklyn, NY 11238
THANK YOU!
August 8-10th, Rochester New York held the "Rochester Omnium."

A three day series of road events including a Time Trial, a Twilight Criterium and a Road Race.

Amy Bonner sent me some video from the Criterium.


Rochester Criterium 2008 from amy on Vimeo.

DNC bans bikes from the "Greenest" convention in history.

Let me see if I got this straight...
The Democratic National Convention in Denver Colorado which is being held in August 25-28th, is claiming to be the (and I quote) "Greenest" Convention in history.

Here is what they will be bringing to the table according to this recent article in the Colorado Independent:

The DNCC has vowed it will be the "greenest convention in history." Here's a list of greenness:

Counting carbon: The DNCC is comprehensively calculating the carbon footprint of the convention. Where emissions are unavoidable, the DNCC has said it will participate in carbon-offset programs.

Greening the arena: After becoming the convention’s location, the Pepsi Center announced it was going “100 percent green.” Plans are to operate entirely on renewable wind and solar energy and to include new recycling bins, a hybrid vehicle-only parking area and a “no idling zone” outside the arena.


Relying on buses: The buses used to transport delegates and media from all the hotels to the Pepsi Center will be either hybrid, alternative fuel or run on biodiesel, organizers said, and all vehicle miles traveled will be tracked and included in the convention’s carbon footprint calculations.

Sharing bikes: A bike-sharing program will be implemented. The “Freewheelin” bike program developed by Humana Inc, bike industry leaders and Bikes Belong, will bring 1,000 bikes to Denver to be used free of charge.

Diverting waste: The DNCC has set a goal for a minimum of 85 percent waste diversion from the landfill through a comprehensive recycling and waste minimization program and through composting.


Ok, but Bicycles are not allowed within the DNC perimeter of the Pepsi Center, nor at Invesco Field, where Barack Obama will deliver his acceptance speech, because of security threats.

SECURITY THREATS? What the delegates might get their suit pants caught in the chain?

Hmmmmmm.

This sounds typical of the so-called progressive green movement clashing with the "green-scare" tactics of federal law enforcement. I'm sure there are key heads of security giving power point presentations to the DNC about the security threat of "anarchists" getting together and riding their bicycles together in a group.

Just like in the RNC in NYC in 2004 and you can expect the same behavior at the RNC in Minneapolis in September.

This reflects much of the politics going on right here in New York. The D.O.T. is making a consorted effort to create more infrastructure for bicycles, more bike lanes, more bike racks, special events like: summer streets. Meanwhile the NYPD is continuing a harassment campaign against bikes tied up with numerous lawsuits and occasionally bodychecking people off their bikes during critical mass.

Hmmmmm.

Ok, lets make the planet more green. Heres a bike, only don't ride it to the convention.

Critical Mass in San Diego.

Every city has a different story with critical mass. Some have 50 people, stop at lights, don't block intersections. Some have numbers into the thousands. Each city has a different relationship with its motor vehicles and with the local police departments bringing up the challenges of road rules and road rage.

Here what is going on San Diego:

Once a month, county cyclists claim the streets.
By Pauline Repard
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

August 10, 2008

article link.

Hundreds of bicyclists pump doggedly up Fifth Avenue's steady incline out of downtown, their taillights strobing in the dark.
It's the last Friday of the month, when cycling enthusiasts from throughout the county join in a Critical Mass ride around San Diego.

Its popularity has grown from a handful of bicyclists about 11 years ago to more than 1,000 in July. They begin each ride in Balboa Park, but from there the route is spontaneous and fluid.

Definitions of Critical Mass also are fluid – and not always complimentary.

Bike rider Tom Hepler of North Park called it “wacky, anachronistic.”

Cyclist Esther Perkins of Poway said it sends a message to motorists that bicyclists have rights to the road. “San Diego's supposed to be a green city, but cycling is not encouraged,” she said. “It's so unsafe.”

“Critical Mass is simple,” cyclist Mike Lashua of San Diego said. “Once a month, bikes take over the road.”

San Diego police Capt. Chris Ball of Central Division had his own take on the event.

“Critical Mass is an interesting and challenging phenomenon for law enforcement worldwide,” Ball said. “Is it some form of civil disobedience? Is it political speech? This isn't just a bike ride.”

A mass of riders
Critical Mass originated in San Francisco in 1992 to promote cycling. Now, in more than 300 cities from Anchorage, Alaska, to Mumbai, India, riders hit the road each month in numbers from a few dozen to several thousand. There are no leaders. Cyclists learn by word-of-mouth and Web sites when and where to turn up.

Joshua Sibelman, 37, of South Park, who pedals to work in Chula Vista, said Critical Mass draws “those who are coming out for fun, for awareness, or to be more militant about it.”

The political-environmental message can be lost on motorists suddenly surrounded by cyclists who run red lights, ride into oncoming traffic, or occasionally pound on a car that fails to yield.

“It was arrogant, more like anarchy, to take over the streets like that,” said a 71-year-old visitor from Tucson who was frightened when cyclists surrounded his car July 25. He asked that his name not be published for fear of retribution.

The man said his 68-year-old wife was driving south on Kettner Boulevard about 10 p.m. when about 1,000 cyclists came north in their lane. He told his wife to pull over, fast.

“Lots of them had no headlights on their bikes,” he said. “There was no advance warning this event was to take place. Someone is going to get hurt. The city is looking the other way while this mob is on the road.”

Riders say it is safer for them to stay together, even if it means running red lights.

Ball, the police captain, said the local rides have sparked nothing more than an occasional argument between drivers and bicyclists.

But in Seattle, police arrested two riders on their July 25 ride when a motorist was beaten after he ran over a cyclist. Officer Mark Jamieson said that for 10 years the department has kept a hands-off approach to Critical Mass, which draws 100 to 300 riders, but that may change in light of the Seattle incident.

At the park
In San Diego, the events take on the look of a carnival as riders start gathering about 6 p.m. around the fountain at the end of Balboa Park's Prado.

Young women in summer dresses and young men in cutoffs and T-shirts show up in flip-flops, on beach cruisers. Serious cyclists sport Spandex and aerodynamic helmets. Antlers or stuffed animals adorn ballcaps. Some riders sneak swigs of alcohol tucked into packs. Bikes range from multispeed and fixed speed, to BMXs, mountain bikes, tandems and giant-wheeled homemade ones.

The July ride was dedicated to Atip Ouypron, who was fatally injured July 18 when he ran a red light on his bike in Hillcrest and a pickup hit him.

About 8 p.m., out of a swelling crowd, a handful of cyclists start pedaling slowly around the fountain. Riders whoop and ring their bicycle bells.

More and more cyclists circle the fountain. One rider tows a booming stereo on a lightweight trailer. No leader has been chosen, but soon a few riders break out and pedal down the Prado.

For the next several hours, bicyclists follow one another down San Diego streets, with Ball and another officer loosely trailing in cars.

The cyclists travel downtown, past the airport, then into Hillcrest. A police helicopter hovers. Ball and the other officer direct traffic at Park Boulevard and University Avenue as riders circle around mounds of flowers in Ouypron's memory.

Many cyclists then regroup and turn north up Park Boulevard to continue the ride.

Where to meet for Critical Mass San Diego:
At the large fountain in Balboa Park.
7 p.m. on the last Friday of each month.

More info at: San Diego Criticalmass.org

Check out a video from the AP from the May ride.


Great photoblogger from San Diego Area:


iheartmybeard.wordpress.com

Coming soon...new fixie shop.

Velo Cult Bike Shop
2220 Fern St.
San Diego, CA 92104
www.VELOCULT.com

This is not my big beautiful bike rack...oh wait it is.

David Byrne unveils his new bike racks.

David Byrne, Cultural Omnivore, Raises Cycling Rack to an Art Form
By ARIEL KAMINER
Published: August 8, 2008, NYTimes

David Byrne is an installation artist, author, blogger, recording executive, photographer, film director and PowerPoint enthusiast. He’s even been known to dabble in music. But in certain New York neighborhoods he may be most visible as a bicycle rider, a lanky figure pedaling around the Lower East Side, or from Bay Ridge out to Coney Island in Brooklyn or up to the Bronx Museum of the Arts.

Read the rest of the NYTimes article here.

What are the crazy Brits up to?

Its London Calling.



August 22-24th

Big Extravaganza of Alleycat racing and Rollapaluza, roller racing.

Check out this video from: Rollapaluza XI: Kingspin
The most fun you can have down at the pub, bowling, drinking and riding a bike in place for cash prizes. Goldsprints UK style.

Moving Targets...NYTimes article on Bicycle and Motor Vehicles coexisting and lack there of.

Bad habits of cyclists and drivers clash on the streets as more people are riding to save money and get around. The NY Times takes a look at the nationwide trends as more cyclists hit the streets. Congratulations to NYC's bikesnob for getting quoted. I'm jealous.

Moving Targets
By Jan Hoffman
published in the NYTimes August 8th, 2008


It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Save gas money, be environmentally correct, lose weight — just by biking to work. And so after two decades, Dan Cooley, 41, saddled up a silver 21-speed Raleigh in April to make the daily two-mile commute to his nursing job at a senior citizen center in Louisville, Ky. In four months, he lost 15 pounds. Way to go, Dan!

Friday morning, July 25, around 6:50 a.m., he was pedaling on a residential street, wearing his green hospital scrubs, when a Volkswagen roared out of a driveway in front of him. Swerving to avoid the car, Mr. Cooley cursed loudly and rode on.

Read the article here.

Beach Ride August 17th

This Sunday is the Time's Up Beach Ride.

Steve wanted me to post the details so here you go:

Beach Ride
Sunday, August 17th, 2008
11:00 AM
Brooklyn Start:
11:00am Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park
Bike ride to Rockaway Queens beach (Fort Tilden). Bring swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, food and/or money for food, lock for bike, or leave bike on the beach.

Come prepared (tools, tubes, water, etc.) to ride some miles at a brisk pace.

We will be having a big communal picnic lunch so BRING SOMETHING TO SHARE (or take a quick detour to the grocery store in Breezy Point or the concession stands at Jacob Riis Park).

Bike Film festival videos

The 2008 bicycle film festival is moving right along with Screenings of great bike related movies, artshows and block parties.

Hopefully there will be one coming to your town soon.

Here is a video from urbanvelo.org from their recent trip to NYC for our bicycle film festival, where it all started.



This is part 3 of a video series. Parts one and two are available on the urbanvelo site.

Bike Lane Emergency Video

For all those people who say, "Why can't the bike riders just be happy riding in the bike lanes the city has provided for them?"

Here is a video explaining a bit of the why by Nicholas Whitaker, a freelance film maker and contributer to Streetfilms.org


Bike-Lane Emergency from Nicholas Whitaker on Vimeo.

Labels:

Saturday, August 09, 2008

24hour scavenger hunt/alleycat in Portland


More info here at 24hourvelovulture/myspace

From Portland's Craig's List:

"Stay up all night with a partner and hope you're still friends after. $666 main prize, plenty more goods(beer* from Brew Clubb So Pathetic, Coffee Plant, Mississippi Records, Oddball Tattoo, Sheila Moon Clothing, bike stuff from various LBCs in the works, Voodoo Donuts, etc.) to keep you moving all night. If you did this last year you know what to expect, but you also know it won't help you at all. Being fast isn't everything, you gotta be smart as well. All you need is a two able bodies, bikes, bags, a digital camera, lights, a strong will, and whatever you can think of to keep you moving. Meeting place is TBA right now, but it will be at 4pm, Saturday August 9th. More info and registration can be found at myspace.com/24hourvelovulture. $30 per team of two which includes shirts, $35 after August 1st rolls around.

*due to beer sponsors and possible stumbling in bars, you gotta be 21 and older. (Sorry tiger, thems the breaks)

Witness of bike crash, looking for any information.

This happened July 30th,2008

-an email was sent out from Trevor N-

8:45am Bike Crash at the Base of the Williamsburg Bridge
(Williamsburg Bridge / Manhattan Side)

This morning I was biking directly behind a kid down the Williamsburg Bridge towards Manhattan. And as we got to the base of the bridge and police car popped up and on to the curb out of no where, with no indication and directly in front of the cyclist. The timing could not have been worse. It gave almost completely no break room for the cyclist and as a result he collided with the front left side of the car, flew over his bars and smashed his head.

A bunch of us stopped to ensure everything was alright while another biker took charge of the scene. The police just stood there. One shrugged and continued controlling vehicle traffic going back in to Brooklyn.

If anyone else witnessed this or knows this kid PLEASE email me. I'd like to make sure he's alright and, as well, make sure he has enough witnesses in case it comes down to that point. I didn't stay at the scene more than 5 minutes because of the amount of other cyclists that had pulled up at that point- which was boneheaded on my part as I was one of the first there.

I still can't get the images out of my head. The impact was so hard his seat dislodged and flew off the seat post and he was left with a bleeding skull.
----------------------

Please Email bikeblog, if you have any information on this.

Politics, Bikes and Radioshows.

2 radio shows about bicycles, deal with politics.

Bike Show on KBOOfm 90.7 out of Portland Oregon talks about the recent relationships between cars and bikers.

from their show: "WAR on WHEELS?" 8/6/08
Is there a war on wheels? Is there any difference between a "crash" and an "accident?" The August KBOO Bike Show will address recent media coverage of bike-related issues in Portland. Guests Amy Ruiz, Portland Mercury News Editor, and Jonathan Maus of BikePortland.org join hosts Ayleen Crotty and Carl Larson to analyze recent incidents, the resulting media coverage, and its influence on public perceptions. Portland's streets are famously friendly to bicyclists. Can the same be said about Portland's news sources?

This show is every Wednesday from 9-10am (PST) and can be downloaded on itunes.

also, another great bicycle podcast:

the Bike Show, with Jack Thurston, available here. This show is on London's Resonance 104.4fm.

From the site on their most recent show: 8/4/08
On this week’s show we ask whether the bicycle and cycling are inherently left-wing or right-wing. Featuring Ruth Beale and Karen Breneman, two artists who recently rode together from London to the
Institute for the Art and Practice of Dissent at Home in Liverpool in search of cycling’s socialist and non-conformist past, present and future. Putting the case for the libertarian right is the leading political blogger and cyclist Guido Fawkes who explains why leading members of the British Conservative Party are so keen to advertise their taste for two wheeled transport.

This weekend get on down to Rollapaluza XI “Kingspin” on Friday night at the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes and Tour De Play, ‘a five mile cycle tour looking at playscapes as a form of outsider architecture’ starting at the South London Gallery at 12 noon on Saturday.

2 year Anniversary of the Passing of Bronx John



2nd anniversary of the Death of Bronx John.

In Memoriam 1974 - 2006

Two years ago, August 9th, 2006, legendary messenger "Bronx" John was killed by a cab near the Williamsburg Bridge, Brooklyn

Stop by and visit his memorial bike on Roebling and South 4th and remember it could be any one of us.
Picture from flickr by: Clovis


We miss you brother.

Thanks to UrbanVelo for posting about John and these comments from John's Mother: SHARON MC LAUGHLIN

August 1, 2008


Hi,

It is coming up on two years that Jonathan has passed and the guy who mowed him down never even sent any condolences or showed up at court. A warrent for his arrest is now in effect.

It is still hard to believe Jonathan is gone. It is grief that doesn't end.

My thanks to all Jonathan's Friends and especially the fellows and ladies who went to his memorial service.

Jonathan would have been 34 years old, June 7. The accident happened on his sister's 18th birthday, August 9th 2006. He was clinically dead. Only life support kept his organs going. The support was removed 8-14-2006, he expired at approx. 11:37pm another factor is if the Police went down to the third name on his cell it said call Mom, Believe it.

The Bike is still there near the bridge, often go to visit it in disbelief.

Remember it can happen to any one, even though Juan Rodigues feels no remorse and considers it a accident, if so why didn't he show up?

My assumption is he was on his cell phone, trying to make up for lost time, (he was only 6 blocks from his apartment) or had put too many hours in his reflexs were slow.
This was a company limo he was driving on company time out of his zone for what ever the witness claim he was speeding. The Bodyly damage of Jonathan is the proof.

There are no laws on the books to have arrested him if he didn't smell of alochol, yet
what about drugs which have no odor.

Well Jonathan visits me in dreams to check up on me and say hellooo and tell me his ok and loves me. My life is very empty without him.

The guy who claims Johanthan said he was Jewish there is some truth to it my Mother which I met when I was 27 Years old was Jewish Thus, this made Jonathan also we where raised Catholic but in reality who cares religon, color, etc. We also had a on going thing which this around the holiday with this women in our bldg. In Pelham Parkway House every Jewish Holoday, Don't want to go into details--But Jonathan would act out to get away from her.

My Deepest thanks to all of his friends even though don't know any of you.

Sincerely,

SHARON MC LAUGHLIN
(JONATHAN A. NEESE’S MOTHER)

JUST SAY HELLO WHEN YOU RIDE PAST HIS BIKE!!"

Testimonials on John Neese here, from New York Bike Messenger Association.

Memorial ride remembered on Razor Apple

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Happy Olympics

Here is a video from Oren Kaplan

History will be made.

NY Times article on Old Rides are new again.

Saw this on DC bicycle blogger Gwadzilla's site

Break out the beaters.


Photo by: Natasha Calzatti for The New York Times
Article by:By STEPHEN KRCMAR
Published: August 6, 2008

BICYCLE lovers, thrifty as well as trend conscious, are pulling neglected 10-speeds from storage and readying them for the road again. (Let the environmentally aware bragging rights begin.)


These bicycles, made in the 1970s and 80s, used 27-inch wheels, which have been replaced with the smaller 700c wheels by road bike manufacturers. But a recent surge in sales of 27-inch tires suggests that the lowly steeds of yore are gaining new life as commuter bikes and weekend cruisers.

Read the rest here.

Time's Up will be at Summer Streets

So even though the D.O.T. won't recognize Time's Up at their event, this wonderful environmental organization which for over 20 years has done so much for biking in NYC, will be there.

The first of three CAR-FREE Summer Street Saturday's is this weekend, 8/9 from 7am – 1pm.

COME CELEBRATE SUMMER STREETS Time's Up! Style
Saturday, August 9th
more info here.

Early Bird Ride: 7 a.m., Brooklyn Bridge (Manhattan side)
Bicycling Decorating Workshop: 9 a.m., Astor Place Cube at Lafayette and 8th Street
Green Streets Parade: 12noon, Astor Place Cube at Lafayette and 8th Street
More details below…

************************************************************

This summer, seven miles of Manhattan streets will be free of cars and full of fun during three Summer Streets Saturdays (Aug 9, 16 & 23). For two decades, Times Up! has been demonstrating that bikes are part of the solution to our environmental woes. Non-polluting transportation's time has come!

Join us on Saturday, August 9, as we celebrate with fun events. Let's show the world what car-free streets can really look like.

EARLY BIRD BIKE RIDE
Saturday, 8/9/2008,
7:00 am at Brooklyn Bridge
SW corner of Chambers & Centre St/Park Row.

Be the first to ride on the car-free route when Summer Streets 2008
officially begins. Experience NYC with streets that are safe and
stress-free! We'll ride together for about an hour and enjoy the
fume-free morning air.

BICYCLE DECORATING WORKSHOP
Saturday, 8/9/2008
9:00am-noon at the Astor Cube
Lafayette & 8th Street

Beautify your bike in preparation for the Green Streets Parade
(details below). Feel free to bring your own props. We will also have
decorations on hand to help make your bike, board or scooter
eye-catching for the parade. Time's Up! volunteer mechanics will be
on hand if you need a quick bike repair

GREEN STREETS BIKE PARADE
Saturday, 8/9/2008,
Noon at Astor Place Cube (Lafayette & 8th Street)

This family-friendly event will include the Bike Lane Liberation
Clowns, music and a few surprises! Bring your kids, your grandparents,
your sweethearts, your bikes, your skates, and even your dogs. Help
make this a new summer-in-the-city tradition that everyone can
celebrate!