BikeBlog

Bike Blog's New Address

2008-11-01T14:37:00.002-04:00

Bike blog has a new web address...

bikeblognyc.com

Bike Blog has Moved!!

2008-10-03T01:52:00.003-04:00

Well after 4 years and over 1,000 posts Bikeblog.blogspot.com has a new home. We outgrew Williamsburg Brooklyn, or maybe it outgrew us.

So we've packed up everything but this really old couch and migrated.

For all your bicycle related culture needs please visit me at my new home at:

bikeblognyc.com

This is still a work in progress because I really did move to ParkSlopia and things are a little chaotic right now.

But expect bigger and better things coming soon.

Article on Chicago Messengers

2008-09-26T15:08:00.002-04:00

From Joe Hendry of messmedia.org
Messengers storm Garfield Park

New City Chicago, September 16, 2008

By John Greenfield

Sweaty and breathless, the bike messenger strides up to reception to deliver a package and politely asks for his delivery manifest to be marked. "Drop your bag, drop your bag," barks the staff members. "Sign the log. Where's your ID? Security!"

It's not an uptight guard desk or mailroom in a Loop office building. It's a checkpoint on the racecourse for the Eleventh Annual North American Cycle Courier Championships held in Garfield Park. More than 200 messengers from as far away as San Francisco, Montreal and Copenhagen have converged on the Windy City for a weekend of competition, camaraderie and tomfoolery.

"It's great that we could finally bring this to the Midwest," says co-organizer Augie Montes of the Chicago Couriers Union. At the end of the weekend, New York's Kimberly Perfetto and Austin Horse will earn bragging rights as the fastest female and male couriers on the continent; at fifth place overall, Andrew Nordyke is the top Chicagoan.

In addition to the checkpoint race, the champs feature a bike polo tournament, trick riding contests, a labor forum and the Messenger Prom, which packs the Bottom Lounge with revelers wearing everything from cocktail dresses and leisure suits to giant banana and Mr. Peanut costumes. A prom king and queen are crowned with headgear fashioned from bike chains and cogs.

The race, simulating a typical day of two-wheeled delivery work, has participants picking up and dropping parcels at nine stations on a city-sanctioned, car-free course throughout the lush West Side park. To keep things realistic, this checkpoint, incorporates many of the headaches and hassles local messengers face on a daily basis. There's even a dude in a rooster suit "stealing" unlocked rides.

"It's almost like a real mailroom because there's so much confusion and animosity," says veteran courier Brent Olds, sipping a PBR as Public Enemy blares from the sound system of the Chicago Cuttin' Crew racing team's school bus.

Nicole Brewer, an ex-messenger who's working the checkpoint, says couriers here have more security hoops to jump through than anywhere else in the nation: using loading-dock entrances to high-rises instead of the front door; signing logs and leaving ID; and leaving their bags with the building guards. "Chicago's all freaked out 'cause they think a terrorist is gonna fly a plane into the Sears Tower," she says.

Couriers zoom around the park's curved roadways on single-speed, fixed-gear bicycles, three-foot-long mailing tubes in their bags, their bodies and bikes banked at steep angles for speed. Neighborhood folks are barbecuing near the racecourse to sounds of Z. Z. Hill's "Down Home Blues" and teenage girls saunter obliviously across the cyclists' paths. "I like having all the racers out here," says Garfield Park resident Joe Davis, 68, straddling a Trek. "It's good for people to see this is a beautiful park and they don't have to be afraid to come out to the West Side."

I-cycle Goldsprints Finals Tonight

2008-09-26T10:59:00.002-04:00

Raining out? Don't want to go to Critical Mass...check out indoor bike racing:

PUMA/Vice I-Cycle Throwdown Pt.1

Last Thursday was the first, in a series of two goldsprint competitions
sponsored by PUMA and Vice. The I-Cycle Space @ Vice Gallery was the battle
grounds for the first I-Cycle Throwdown that brought together a mix of
industry leaders, brands and bike messengers in a head-to-head stationary
bike race. The night featured a diverse mix of teams, ranging from Complex
Magazine, Staple Design, Fader Magazine, D.A.R.T (Mishka NYC), CycleHawk.
The night was full of intense competition, as teams looked to post their
best times and qualify for this Friday’s finals.

Tonight: Friday, Sept. 26th, 2008
at the:
I-Cycle Space @ Vice Gallery
99 N. 10th St (between Berry & Wythe)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Video at Vimby from last week..

VIMBY - Puma Goldsprints Day 1

and photos here.

Oct. 4th, Kid's Art Bike Parade

2008-09-26T10:40:00.001-04:00

Sponsored by the East Village Community Coalition

Get out your wheels and get ready for fun at one of the most enjoyable neighborhood events of 2008.

The East Village Community Coalition presents...The Second Annual Lower East Side Kids' Art Bike Parade!

When: Saturday, October 4, 11 AM- 2 PM

Where: Tompkins Square Park, northeast corner at Avenue A and 10th Street

Who: You, joined by Lower East Side neighbors, friends, and kids of all ages -- from toddlers to senior citizens

What: Decorate your bike either at our advance workshops or at our on-the-spot bike-decorating event starting at 11 AM before the parade -- then hop on and join the crowd as we parade our human-powered wheels around the neighborhood

Why: The East Village is always ahead of the game. This time, it's the youngest people in our neighborhood showing adults, the city, and the entire world how fun and healthy it is to enjoy non-polluting transportation powered by our own legs and (in this case) by our own imaginations. By encouraging a new generation of bike riders, we cut back on the pollution that causes global warming and we establish a happy future for our neighborhood.

Team Spider Gigs

2008-09-26T10:30:00.002-04:00

That crazy Christopher Ryan is back in town with his Bike Punk band Team Spider.

Back from a European Tour and playing a few great gigs this weekend.
First, Tonight at Rocky Sullivan's
34 Van Dyke Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Team Spider teams up with the Spunklads at 9pm, $10.00
Then on Saturday,

Free Punk show in Tompkins Square Park. 2pm-6pm

Critical Mass today, all around the world.

2008-09-26T09:44:00.004-04:00

September 26th, 2008...
well its critical mass all around the world, especially in cities where its not raining...like NYC.

Tonight, meet at 7:00pm at Union Square North. On the East West Side, where the skateboarders hang out.

Critical Mass is popular with famous New Yorkers:

The founding members of the Upright Citizens Brigade, were asked why they love New York in this weeks issue of Time Out, which talks with 40 of their top city residents.

Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts, Matt Besser and Amy Poehler make up this legendary improve troop.

Time Out asked: "What's the future of New York? What are your hopes and what needs to happen?"

Matt Besser (shown in the photo in the Green t-shirt) responded:

"I want them to get rid of that law that inhibits Critical Mass. Its a great human event in a city filled with buildings and concrete."

Me too Matt...why don't you tell one of those other top New Yorkers featured in this issue...Mayor Mike.

Read the all the questions and answers here.

Here is an interview with WNYC's Arun Venugopal on last months critical mass ride.

Stop the Bail out

2008-09-25T09:29:00.003-04:00

Sorry kids,

I've been really busy with a move to park slope, lots of work and taking childbirth classes.

Just wanted to pass this along to do my part to help stop the panic attack of the Bush administration to make us pay for greedy wall streets actions.

STOP THE BAIL OUT PROTEST TODAY.

"Bailout This!"

Since Bush wants to buy up Wall Street's worthless investments with
Main Street's hard-earned tax dollars, folks are planning to bring
their OWN junk to Wall Street to see if they can get a bailout, too.
Bring your 8-track tape collection, high-school yearbook, Grampa's old
recliner, and that snow globe from Great Adventure – not to mention
your mortgage statements and student loan invoices -- and add 'em to
the pile! And tell Secretary Paulson why you deserve a bailout, too!
Bring your most audacious junk, junk that has a story, and make your
case. (Ordinary garbage discouraged.) This action inspired by
buymyshitpile.com. "No Cash for Trash!"

the serious part (with time & place details, etc.) :

This week the White House is trying to push through the biggest financial
theft in world history with nary a stitch of debate. They're asking for a
blank check for over 1 trillion dollars to bail out George Bush's Wall
Street cronies who created this economic crisis in the first place.

If this passes, we can forget about any money for environmental protection,
to counter global warming, for education, for national healthcare, to
rebuild our decaying infrastructure, for alternative energy.

This is a historic moment. We need to act now while we can influence the
debate.

Let's rally against the bailout in the heart of the financial district!
Gather at 4pm, this Thursday, Sept. 25 in the plaza at the southern end of
Bowling Green Park, which is the small triangular park that has the Wall
Street bull at the northern tip.

What: Say NO to the Wall Street bailout
When: Thursday, September 25: 4pm
Where: Southern end of Bowling Green Park, in the plaza area
What to bring: Banners, noisemakers, signs, leaflets, etc. A
PIECE OF JUNK.

Do whatever you can for this historic event and contact all your groups and
friends. This proposed financial bailout is without precedence and we have
to stop it!

read the Wired story Here.

Man with Bike Blog “Doored”, Blog Improved.

2008-09-18T11:39:00.007-04:00

By Xristopher j Spider…

Good news, Micheal Green, popular “bike blogger” was doored today, bringing Xris Spider one step closer to his dream of taking over the widely read New York City blog. Xris was “surprised” at the both the news of Michael being Doored by a cab at 1st ave and 39th street, and the ease at which the medicated Mr. Green gave up his password. This couldn’t have come at a better time for Mr. Spider, who was already low on cash after generously bribing a cabbie to suddenly open his car door into Mr. Green. The excited Xris plans to sell advertising on the space popular blog to Hummer, the Palin Campaign, and Jamal Muhammad Ramjamin’s Discount Dooring services.

Police on the scene described Mr. Green as being male, ethnic, and “sort of a dumb ass.” Mr. Green also had nothing but praises for the responding officers who appeared promptly, were courteous, and “somewhat cute.” One of which even rode a mountain bike according to the smitten Mr. Green.

Bellevue Doctors described Mr. Green as unlikely to seen by them anytime soon, noting “He has insurance? Fuck ‘em”. Mr. Green claims nothing is broken, but accepted the advice of the responding firefighters to head to Bellevue hospital after hearing a strange clicking when he extended his arm. Firefighter Jimmy McMason stated, “We sort of ignored a call and let a building burn down tending to this douche bag, so we better make this all seem more serious than it is” adding, “plus the guy doesn’t look like he’s been laid in weeks, maybe this will help.”

Ambulance driver Dave Forte cursed out the poor cabbie, who was just trying to earn a decent living, but praised Mr. Green for wearing a helmet. That is until he recognized Mr Green as the popular NYC bicycle blogger stating, “Aren’t you the guy who handed his bike to a thief who said he wanted to –try it out-?” Mr. Forte then added, “Why bother with a helmet, what are you protecting, the air space?”

This brought a chuckle from Officer Kucharski, who was in the process of giving Mr. Green his personal phone number.

-congratulatory flowers can be sent to
X. Spider, ave C.

Teamspider.blogspot.com

TeamSPiderBlog

Help out and Volunteer with Times Up

2008-09-17T13:36:00.015-04:00

Time's Up will be out on the scene with lots of bike events over the weekend and they need your help.

Check out all the great events going on this weekend. Plug in to as many events as you can by volunteering or just showing up. If you want to sign up to table for Park(ing) Day, Bicycling For a Day or the Creative Time event get in touch with the contact person for each event or sign up directly at the shared spreadsheet at:
HERE.

Here is what is going on:

Friday, September 19th, Park(ing) Day,
Park(ing) Day is a national event in which people in cities all over the country reclaim parking spots for one day, transforming them into vibrant, functional public spaces. Time's Up! is setting up from 10am – 5pm at our reclaimed park at the corner of 7th ave. South and Charles Street in front of the Birdbath Bakery. We will have grass and lounge chairs and a bike repair stand along with free beverages and pastries donated by the Birdbath Bakery. You can call Judy at 917.405.1544 for more information. Here are some photos from Park(ing) Day 2007:

Saturday, September 20th, Bicycling For A Day Tabling,
Time's Up! Will be tabling at the Bicycling For A Day event at South Street Seaport, from 10 - 5 p.m. Contact: Bill at billtimesup@gmail.com at 917-577-5621 if you want to volunteer.
Bicycleforaday.org

Saturday, Sept 20th, Bike Lane Liberation Clowns
Join the Bike Lane Liberation Clowns for an exciting ride downtown to liberate bike lanes from double-parkers. Humor and slapstick prevail to keep the bike lanes car-free. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Astor Place cube (Lafayette and 8th Street) before the ride to costume up. Contact barabaraross2@gmail.com for more info.
Bike lane liberation

Saturday, Sept 20th, Brook Park Clean Up
Come to the Brook Park Tear Up the Pavement Party, Saturday, 9/20 12 - 5 p.m at Brook Park, 141st Street and Brook Avenue
Celebrate the autumnal equinox while liberating an underground brook.
Friends of Brook Park

Sunday, September 21, Waterfall Ride
This bike ride will view all four waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson. Meet at 1:00pm at Centre Street across from the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. The ride was picked as best bet for this week by Time Out and will be featured on the Saturday morning Today Show on NBC.
waterfall ride

Sunday, 9/21 through Sunday, 9/27, Creative Time's Democracy in America
Time's Up! is tabling all week-long at this Creative Time's Political Art and Community Event being held at the Park Avenue Armory in Drill Hall. Creativetime.org

Bike News Round Up

2008-09-17T13:36:00.012-04:00

Rounding up the news of bicycles:
---------------------------
New York

Actor Matthew Modine, (Private Joker) is throwing a bicycle event of his own.

Lifestyles of the Green and the Famous

Matthew Modine bicycles, Bono recycles, and Willie Nelson wails for Farm Aid
Actor Matthew Modine (of Showtime’s hit series, Weeds) is taking New Yorkers for a ride on the city’s bike paths with Olympian Sharon Seagrave this Saturday with his Bicycle for a Day event. Advocating for biking, walking, and public-transportation, “it’s a call to action to reduce the carbon footprint and have fun doing it!” The day includes a Luke Haas concert, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. speaking, and prizes such as Puma “Glow” Bicycles and a Segway.

read more of the article over here.
-----------------------
Kansas.

An article on Rock Racing in the Kansas City Star.

Rock Racing wants to bring cool to pro cycling
By BILL REITER
The Kansas City Star
ST. CHARLES, Mo. | Fashion mogul and team owner Michael Ball has a unique vision for the future of American cycling, and it goes something like this: Speed, raw competition, tattooed competitors, rock ‘n’ roll and, oh yes, stunning women rolling up to races in tricked out Escalades.

“It’s an extremely hard sell here in the United States,” said Ball, the owner of Rock Racing, which features the “bad boys” of cycling, models and an in-your-face attitude. “When you look at those big sports, specifically baseball, it’s about tradition. So how does one get people involved in bicycle racing here?”

That’s the question facing officials, cyclists, owners and fans as the Tour of Missouri draws to a close today in downtown St. Louis. Cycling may be an exciting sport blending speed, endurance and strategy. But none of that matters if you’re just another fringe sport without enough eyeballs watching what you do.

“There is something of a ceiling out there for cycling as to how far it can go in America,” said Jeff Roake, a host announcer for this week’s tour and cycling expert. “We’re nowhere near that ceiling yet. We’ll never be a ball sport, but if we could be as popular as hockey — that could happen. Lance Armstrong coming back next year will have a huge effect.”

article can be read here
---------------------------
And in the Guardian, UK's Sports Blog,

Kenya

Kenyan trailblazers turn their talents to cycling
Despite their dominance of distance running, no black African has ever cycled the Tour de France. If Nicholas Leong gets his way, they will soon.

Nderi and Myangi took a while to get used to the new bikes. Photograph: Nicholas Leong

Sport
Sport blog

Kenyan trailblazers turn their talents to cycling
Despite their dominance of distance running, no black African has ever cycled the Tour de France. If Nicholas Leong gets his way, they will soon

Nderi and Myangi took a while to get used to the new bikes. Photograph: Nicholas Leong

Here's an interesting fact: despite being recognised through their distance running as among the finest endurance athletes on the planet, no Kenyan or Ethiopian has ever ridden the Tour de France. In fact, no Kenyan, Ethiopian or black African of any nation has ever become a professional cyclist.

Team GB's prodigious success in the saddle in Beijing drew a degree of rather measly sniping along these lines. It seems unfair to disparage the achievements of individual athletes, who can only beat the field in front of them. But the fact remains. Africans don't cycle - and for a variety of reasons, mainly to do with habit and tradition, but also things like start-up costs and prohibitively expensive racing technology.

For the first time, however, there is a suggestion this might not always be the case. Last month two amateur Kenyan cyclists, Zakayo Nderi, a shoe-shiner by trade, and Samwel Myangi, a 24-year-old bicycle taxi rider, performed a time trial on the Alpe D'Huez, a blue chip Tour stage finish. This is a serious test: 13.8km at an average gradient of 7.9% with 21 hairpin bends.

more here.
-----------------

Chicago

an article on Scram bicycle parts manufacturer in the Chicago Tribune.

Sram shifts gears in bike-parts world
Chicago-based innovator set to sell 40% stake to Lehman unit, eyes expansion

By Jon Van | Special to the Chicago Tribune
September 15, 2008

As some Chicago bicyclists pedal along, they wish their machines rode better.

Stanley Day took that thought a step further. About two decades ago, he wondered why he had to move his hands off the handlebars to shift gears. So, working with some friends, he turned an innovation into a company that has put Chicago back on the map as a powerhouse in two-wheeled locomotion.

This strategy of developing new bike equipment enabled Day to build Sram Corp. into a $500 million-a-year component supplier that is poised for potential expansion. Later this month, Day intends to close a deal to sell a 40 percent minority stake in Sram to Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking for an undisclosed amount.

The privately held company is a serious player in a business that once was dominated by Shimano Inc., a Japanese bike-parts giant that is three times the Chicago firm's size. Sram has grown 15 percent to 20 percent each of the past five years and has been consistently profitable, Day said, but to get to the next level, where it can continue to expand globally while churning out new products, it needs a boost.

read more over here.

Interbike 2008

2008-09-17T13:36:00.008-04:00

Where do industry bike people go to ride bikes in the desert, gamble, get lapdances and talk about bikes?

Las Vegas Nevada...

Interbike 2008

September 24th-26th, at the Sands Expo Center.

2 events. NLG panel discussion and Save Union Square

2008-09-17T13:36:00.004-04:00

Come Wednesday, September 17th to the NLG panel discussion on:

COINTELPRO - then and now

Wednesday, September 17, 2008
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Brooklyn Law School - Subotnick Center
250 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY

More information below

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

Come and take action on Thursday, September 18th:

SAVE UNION SQUARE: Citizen Chefs Cooking Up Change!
Thursday, September 18, 6 p.m.
Union Square Park, near the George Washington statue at the South end of the park

Keep Union Square PUBLIC! Citizen Chefs Cooking Up Change!
Keep the parks for people and not for profit!
We'll provide the chefs hats-
Bring your own pots & pans and something to bang with!
Come in costume- black pants, white shirts, bow ties..
Bring a bike if you'd like to join the ChefBlock Bike Brigade

The Union Square Partnership is selling out one of our most important public spaces, the pavilion on the North side of Union Square, site of seminal speeches from Emma Goldman, Paul Robeson, Cesar Chavez, Dorothy Day, and many more AND one of the last remaining public assembly areas in the city.

Join us to say NO! The Union Square Pavilion can not be an upscale restaurant.
Join us to say NO! Our precious public resources cannot be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Join us to say YES! to community use in public parks.
Join us to say YES! to public space, community, and democracy. Without community space, there can be no democracy.

www.unionsquarenotforsale.org

**************************
The NYC Chapter of the NLG is sponsoring this panel on September 17th

CointelPro - Then and Now

Moderator: Robert Boyle, attorney in Bin Wahad v. FBI

with confirmed speakers:

Dhoruba Bin Wahad: former leader of Black Panther Party in New York; freed after serving 19 years in prison after conviction
reversed due to COINTELPRO-related disclosures

Martin R. Stolar, Co-counsel, Handschu
Beth Baltimore

The program will provide an overview of the various programs and forms of government repression, both past and present, and address procedures
in place to empower activists to continue their work.

The event is free of charge
refreshments will be provided

Susan Howard from the National Lawyers Guild- who is a long-time friend and supporter of Time's Up! is helping put together this panel discussion. Propaganda and negative divisionary rumors have increased in progressive NYC groups like Time's Up! since the 2004 RNC. It is important that people have an understanding of what this is so that our groups and communities can continue to work together to create positive change.

Bike Lane Video Screening

2008-09-17T13:36:00.003-04:00

Kalim Armstrong is having a screening of a video he made about bike lanes in NYC. This is part of a showcase of works by students from Hunter College's Urban Affairs & Planning and Integrated Media Arts programs.

Here are the details.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR:
Hitting the Streets, from Harlem to East New York: Dramatic videos that investigate New York City neighborhoods from an on-the-ground perspective

WHEN:
Monday September 22nd, 2008 from 6—8 PM, with RECEPTION TO FOLLOW

WHERE:
Hunter College's Lang Auditorium, North Building, 4th Floor. (The North Building is located on 69th Street between Park and Lexington, on the south side of the street; Subway: take the 6 train to 68th Street)

DETAILS:
This screening will showcase the results of an innovative workshop in which students from Hunter College's Urban Affairs & Planning and Integrated Media Arts programs explored the use of media for community organizing aimed at improving the quality of local environments. From the fight to save Harlem from mega-developers, to the joys and realities of cycling through urban streets, these videos capture the attempts of everyday citizens and activists to shape New York City's future, and in doing so, inspire us to action on some of the most pressing concerns facing our neighborhoods today. FREE and open to the public.

PROGRAM:

REZONING HARLEM

REZONING HARLEM follows longtime members of the Harlem community as they fight a 2008 rezoning that threatens to erase the history and culture of their legendary neighborhood and replace it with luxury housing, offices, and big-box retail. A shocking expose of how a group of ordinary citizens, who are passionate about the future of one the city's most treasured neighborhoods, are systematically shut out of the city's decision-making process, revealing New York City's broken public review system and provoking discussion on what we can do about it.

A film by Juliana Alzate, Natasha Florentino, Tamara Gubernat & Pamela Nichols

SUBPRIMED

SUBPRIMED tells the story of the national foreclosure crisis through the eyes of hard-hit East New York – a community that is no stranger to tough times. As more and more homes in the neighborhood bear foreclosure signs, individual victims of egregious lending practices come to realize they are not alone, and find the strength to band together and save their community from catastrophe.

A film by Sarah Friedland, Kahil Shkymba and Nayo Joy Simmons

BIKE PATH

NYC bicycling rates are much lower than they could be in a relatively flat city with good mass transit, despite strong evidence showing that bike-friendly environments go hand-in-hand with more livable streets for everyone. So what can we do to improve things for those who already cycle in the city, and inspire those who don't to join the ranks? These are the burning questions that activists, city officials and ordinary cyclists are trying to solve – but with different prescriptions for success. BIKE PATH examines plans to make biking in our city safer and more appealing, what's working and what isn't, and what planners can do to be more responsive to cyclists' needs.

A film by Kalim Armstrong, Rafael Blanco, Kate Ervin and Bree Kessler

HAVEMEYER STREET

HAVEMEYER STREET is an installation that was first exhibited May 1-3, 2008, at Hunter IMA/MFA's IMAterial show. The installation begins with several hanging prints depicting developer fantasies of new luxury condo buildings in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Behind the prints, two video screens show the reality of how people on two sides of one street in transition experience the process of gentrification in this area. The video progresses down the street, examining different spaces and meeting diverse business owners and residents.

A film by Francisca Caporali, Kym Chapman, Pilar Ortiz, Uni Park & Sarah Nelson Wright

Sponsored by the Department of Film and Media Studies and the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning at Hunter College (CUNY). Also sponsored by the Hunter College Center for Community Planning and Development.

--
Kalim Armstrong
v a c a t i o n l a n d p r o d u c t i o n s

Memorial Ride and BBQ for Andre Anderson

2008-09-17T11:52:00.002-04:00

This Saturday, September 20th.

A memorial bike ride and BBQ to remember Andre Anderson

From Ryan, who works with Ghostbikes.org.

In 2005 we met the Anderson family as they struggled with the aftermath of their son's death. When it seemed like no one cared that their son had been mowed down by a reckless driver, the biking community rallied around them in support and solidarity. Since then we have kept in contact with the family as they continue to fight for justice and remember Andre. Every year around the time of his death a bunch of bikers ride out to Far Rockaway and join his family and friends for a memorial celebration of Andre's life. This year we will continue that tradition; Please feel free to join us:

The memorial service will be at the crash site @ 1pm: here.

It will be followed by a BBQ. Andre was a BMX kid and so the family blocks off the street and his friends go bike crazy.
It is a down home, jamaican bbq to which everyone who attends the memorial is invited. It is here

There will be a casual group ride out to the memorial and bbq.

Meet-Ups:

* @ 1030am @ George Washington Statue by the Williamsburg Bridge.
* @ 11am @ Bedford Ave & Eastern Parkway (Southside)

We need to make the service @ 1pm so please arrive at meet ups prepared to ride (tires pumped, water bottle filled). Bring tubes, pump, etc.
We will ride from the service to the Anderson house. Group rides back tend to be varied, with smaller groups breaking off and will be wholly dependent on how people are feeling,etc. Most likely a ride will leave Far Rockaway around 430ish.

Tomorrow, 3 lap scratch series in Pospect Park...Boogie Nigts.

2008-09-16T14:35:00.002-04:00

Five night race series every Wednesday with the details on each individual race coming shortly. (Races will be based on Velodrome type events such as Chariot Hill Climb, Scratch Race, Team Relay, etc.)

-Fixed Gear Only
-Helmets Mandatory
-Blinkie lights strongly recommended
-Sponsor Prizes and Cash Awards
-Prizes for top placing men and women

*The use of brake calipers other than in an emergency is prohibited. If a racer is seen implementing a hand brake, other than in an emergency, he/she will be disqualified.
--------------------------------------------------------
A Snidely Whiplash and Al Production

Racing for Metal and Road Kill.

2008-09-16T14:24:00.004-04:00

Some pictures from Metal Race 2.

Here, from John Prolly.

This Man, Jack Crank...took the title.
Photo by Doug D. at Hardcourtbikepolo.com

and the rest of the stats:

1 Jack Crank (10)
2 John Prolly (2)
3 Yatika Fields (1)
4 Doug D (3)
5 Adam Menace (4)
6 James #19 (13)
7 Jessie (16)
8 Chris #17 (8)
9 Atsu (5)
10 Jack #10 (6)
11 Larry Fox (9)
12 John #9 (15)
13 Frankie (11) 1st OOT from Chile!
14 Chris #14 (12)
DFL Danny Rocks (14)

New Bike Shirt every month

2008-09-16T14:20:00.002-04:00

Saw this on StraightChain.

David in Sweden is trying to set up a subscription based sale of a new bike t-shirt design each month.

Interested in a new design, in a new one each month or contributing check out:

Fixtee.com

McCain may have Palin but Obama's got an alleycat.

2008-09-16T11:06:00.005-04:00

McCain may get his running mate some nice photoshop photos-

But Obama's got an alleycat.

Right in the Nation's capital: DC.

John Dinn of Demoncats is throwing an Obama alleycat.

November 1st, 2008.

Here are the checkpoints in advance...study the map, plan your route and get to DC.

OBMALLEYCAT CHECKPOINTS:
> >START: Logan Circle NW
> >-16th St. @ Illinois Ave. NW (Obama is the Senator from Illinois)
> >-W. Basin Dr @ Independence Ave SW (Proposed MLK Memorial Site)
> >-430 S. Capitol St. SE (Democratic National Committee)
> >-15th St. @ Belmont St. NW (Malcolm X Park)
> >-3211 M St. NW (UNO Chicago Grill)
> >-1525 H St NW (St John's Episcopal Church)
> >-12th St. @ East Capitol St. NE (Lincoln Park)
> >-4th St. @ C St. NW (Judiciary Square)
> >-10th St. @ G St. SW (Benjamin Banneker Park)
> >FINISH: To Be Announced At Last Checkpoint.
> >
> >Sponsors- KRYPTONITE- R.E.Load- Seagull- Crumpler- Fabric Horse

But really, we all know who should be president:

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

and here's another on from Hmatkin

2008-09-12T13:29:00.003-04:00

Carlos Sastre, this years Tour De France winner, isn't the only one to rep major products like the dentists choice of fancy bicycles:
Cervelo.

Our man Sino, from Tokyo, fastest messenger in the world is rockin a nice watch.

He got it from Alive Athletics. The wheaties box should be coming out any day now.

Thanks for posting this Tracko

and speaking of Tokyo, here's a video from this years Bicycle Film Festival.

Bicycle Film Festival TOKYO '08 PART 1 from Eli Tokyo Jitensha-Jin on Vimeo.

Nayak and Back Race...Sept. 28th

2008-09-12T11:10:00.004-04:00

Scumbag Cup is coming to Philly...stay tuned.

2008-09-12T11:10:00.001-04:00

New Yorker Festival has a bike ride.

2008-09-12T11:07:00.003-04:00

October 4th. Check the website.

Saturday | October 4 | 2008
About Town
A Governors Island Bike Tour
Adriaan Geuze, Leslie Koch, and Ricardo Scofidio will join Paul Goldberger for a tour of Governors Island, followed by brunch and conversation. A ferry will transport ticket buyers to the island, where bicycles will be provided.

Adriaan Geuze is a Prix de Rome winner and a co-founder of West 8, an urban-design and landscape-architecture firm based in Rotterdam. Its projects have ranged from the waterfront revitalization of Toronto to London’s Jubilee Gardens. In 2002, he received the Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Veronica Rudge Green Prize in Urban Design, and in 2005 he curated the International Architecture Biennale in Rotterdam. Last year, West 8 won the international design competition for the redevelopment of Governors Island.

Leslie Koch is the president of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. She is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations of the island, including its role as a public destination. Previously, she worked as a marketing executive for Microsoft and was the chief executive of the Fund for Public Schools, the nonprofit affiliated with the New York City Department of Education.

Ricardo Scofidio is one of the founders of the New York-based architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, whose work was the subject of a retrospective at the Whitney Museum in 2003. Its past projects include the Blur Building, in Switzerland, and Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art. The firm, in collaboration with West 8, designed the winning plan for Governors Island. It is currently leading the redevelopment of Lincoln Center and, with Field Operations, the High Line.

Paul Goldberger is the architecture critic of The New Yorker. He holds the Joseph Urban Chair in Design and Architecture at the New School. His books include “The City Observed: New York,” “The Skyscraper,” and “Up from Zero: Politics, Architecture, and the Rebuilding of New York.”

11 A.M. Governors Island Ferry Terminal
Battery Maritime Building
10 South Street, Slip 7

Take over the parking spaces...for a day.

2008-09-12T11:04:00.004-04:00

From the Parking for a day website
Park(ing) Day NYC is September 19th, and parking spots across the city are just waiting to be rescued, turned for a day into the Park(ing) Spots that will get everyone thinking about our scarce public space and how we use it. Don't dawdle, apply to host a Spot and receive a mini-grant now!

Sad News. 2 cyclists killed in Brooklyn in less than a week.

2008-09-12T10:47:00.002-04:00

According to Gothamist, a 50 year old man, Jonathan Milstein, was killed by a school bus in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn.

More on this from Sarah Portlock of the Brooklyn Paper.

Also, Charles Sweeney of the Brooklyn Eagle has this report.

Saturday, 8 year old Alexander Toulouse, was struck and killed by a postal truck on Saturday in Cobble Hill.

My condolences to all the grieving families.

Please be safe out there.

Those Crazy kids and their Sprinting.

2008-09-11T16:05:00.004-04:00

Picture by: Cycling Weapons of Mass Destruction

Rat Pack Hustle 2, kicked off its sprints series Uptown.

Check out some pictures from:
Cycling Weapons of Mass Destruction

and a little video too.

Bike Blog on the move...soon.

2008-09-11T15:58:00.002-04:00

After 4 years and over 1000 posts. Bicycle Blog is going to be taking a little ride.

Andrew of Bike Albany and Troy Bike Rescue has rescued my blog and we are in the process of moving it to its new home.

Bikeblognyc.com

Now this is still in the works but standby.

I would love to get submissions for artwork, photographs and graphics for the new site. Please send them my way. Pictures of Bikes, Bike Culture, events, drawings...crayon sketches from your 2 year old. All welcome.

I want to change up the header and the look and have community involvement.

Metal Race 2...is coming Sept. 13th

2008-09-11T13:49:00.002-04:00

ITS BACK!!!!

Ok here is a quick quiz...Is this Metal?

or what about this?

If you need help dressing the part, take a tip from veteran hardcore metal band, Metallica. They get all their Metal Gear from...Armani????

Real Metal, is racing this Saturday...in the 2nd...METAL RACE.

Here is a tease...the spoke cards.

To prepare. In case you weren't sure what they were saying in Metal Song lyrics...here is an interpretation, broken down for the common man.

Bicycle News roundup 003

2008-09-10T01:13:00.004-04:00

Well its that time again, mid week. So here is what google says is happening in the world of bicycle news:

From Velo News:

Sebastien Hinault wins stage 10 in the 63rd Vuelta a España, (Grand Tour of Spain)

Crédit Agricole couldn’t imagine a better going away present than a stage victory Tuesday in the 63rd Vuelta a España in what’s its swansong grand tour.

The long-standing French team — set to fold at the end of the 2008 season after a new sponsor couldn’t be found to replace the departing French bank — earned a rare bunch sprint victory with French veteran Sébastien Hinault.

Read the rest Here
....................

Cincinnati

Local paper City Beat has an article on the unfriendliness of biking in this Ohio city.

Cover Story: No One Rides for Free
Lack of vision, planning and investment have made Cincinnati a 'bike unfriendly' city

BY Danny Cross | Posted 09/03/2008

It's difficult to ride a bicycle in Cincinnati, and not just because it's hilly and the weather sucks and our neighborhoods sprawl 30 miles away into another counties and states.

It's not because there are few bike racks and even fewer bike lanes. It's not because each neighborhood presents its own set of problems for planners and engineers or the fact that Cincinnati hasn't had a planning department since 2002.

It's not because the newest map of the city's bike routes is from 1998 or that you're just as likely to get a biggie-size Coke thrown at you while riding along Central Parkway than you are to receive a friendly wave.

Article here.
....................

Arizona

The Leauge of American Cyclists has named Arizona the third most bicycle friendly state.

Arizona named a bicycle-friendly state
Reported by: Tricia Garcia-Captain

More Arizonans are ditching gas-guzzling cars for bicycles to commute to work and for recreation.

The League of American Bicyclists named Arizona the third most bicycle-friendly state in the country for its encouragement of bicycling among riders of all ages.

States were judged on six categories that support bike use, including legislation, education and encouragement, and infrastructure.

Washington is ranked number one on the list of bicycle friendly states, followed by Wisconsin at number two.

The rest here.
.........................

Sydney Australia,

A group of researchers presented their findings from a study which states the best way to increase bicycle safety is to put more bicycles on the road.

Read this report from Scientific American. Includes a 60 second podcast.
..........................

NYC,

From right here in New York, Stuart Post got his article in City Limits about his experience at the August Critical Mass:

WHO'S AFRAID OF
A PEACEFUL BIKER?
A spontaneous evening goes awry, leaving skid marks on this cyclist's view of his city. By Stuart Post

City Limits WEEKLY #655
September 8, 2008

Editor's note: Using a bicycle for transportation on the streets of New York City can be an intimidating, and downright dangerous, endeavor. The Bloomberg administration is working to make the city more bike-friendly – through newly designated bike-only lanes, to cite the most visible example. But how bike-friendly can a city be if its premier grassroots cycling event operates in an atmosphere of police hostility? That's one question that occurred to self-described "accidental anarchist" Stuart Post, a 48-year-old resident of the Gramercy Park area, who joined last month's Critical Mass bike ride.

read the rest here.

San Francisco has Summer Streets too.

2008-09-09T07:27:00.003-04:00

Looks like the West Coast is also getting into the closed streets idea, much like our Summer Streets here in NYC.

I got this off Streetsblog

From, New Yorker Jen Petersen.

San Francisco held its inaugural car-free "Sunday Streets" event last weekend. New Yorker Jen Petersen was there and files this report.

Whatever the weather, San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf doesn’t suffer from a shortage of dollar-shelling, strolling tourists on weekends, and so clearing street space for more people-powered mobility on a sunny morning had instant takers. As was the case at New York’s Summer Streets, more than a few participants simply stumbled upon the event. And since Civic Center and Fort Mason was hosting the U.S.’s first Slow Food Nation, a foodie-drawing tribute to regional, small-scale food producers, there was an even greater influx of slow and deliberate pilgrims on this particular weekend. There wasn’t a chance that the northern part of the route would go un-used, though I wondered how many San Franciscans actually ventured that way. But save for the artisan street vendors set up as usual at Market Street and Embarcadero, the weekend-shuttered financial district was still a tourist no-go zone.

South of the Ferry Terminal Building (itself a regional foods marketplace), however, cyclists, walkers, rollerbladers, and runners transitioned to the physical activity-promoting leg of the route. And so rounding the bay’s curve to South Beach, where the SF Giants’ AT&T Park was open for base running, and the China Basin inlet, where Cheryl Burke Dance Studio offered Tribal Belly, Afro-Colombian, Salsa, and East Coast swing dance classes all morning, the re-appropriative potential of the street came to life. I maintain: there is no higher social use of street space than dancing!

read the rest Here.

Speaking of San Francisco. Chris Carlsson, one of the original riders of Critical Mass, author and world traveler will be the keynote speaker at this years Conflux festival. Sept 11th-thru the 14th. in NYC.

Conflux Festival is the art and technology festival for the creative exploration of urban public space.

Video from August Critical Mass

2008-09-09T07:18:00.001-04:00

Video from last month's Critical Mass. Cops forcing people stopped at a red light into the intersection and then ticketing them for running a red light. Nice. At least they didn't tackle anyone.

CRITICAL TACKLE - "One Month Later" - (do the cops apologize?) from Xris Spider on Vimeo.

2008-09-07T23:57:00.004-04:00

If you have enjoyed the last 8 years: the failed economy, the highest unemployment rate since 2003, invading a country based on false information, the erosion of our civil liberties, then be my guest and vote for these two.

You deserve another 4 years of the same crap.

One of the most frightening indications of the direction our country has taken isn't thousands of miles away in some strange country we have occupied or are about too. Its right here in the USA and it was on display in the actions of thousands of police unleashed to handle demonstrations at this years Republican National Convention in Minneapolis. Maybe we can expect journalists to be jailed and beaten in Iraq. Maybe we can read about prisoners being tortured with black hoods over their heads in Abu Ghraib. Perhabs we can know about citizens being accused of terrorist acts for helping to plan protests in Fallujah. But all of this occurred and was documented outside the Xcel center where the Republicans announced their acceptance to the general election. It is the new face of homeland security in the privatized era of neo-conservative ideals. While Sarah Palin was busy bad mouthing community service, the police were doing a disservice to the community by indiscriminately using tear gas, rubber bullets, concusion grenades and mace on a few protesters with different political ideologies and wearing black bandannas. Knocking down newspaper boxes and blocking traffic is called: civil disobedience and should be dealt with by a procedural non-violent arrests. Instead it was brutal oppression by a militarized police force who think they are fighting insurgents in Afghanistan. An abusive display of violence which harmed innocent bystanders, accredited journalists and anyone who got in the way of a law enforcement and national guard rampage gone wild.

Now why did bikeblog report so much on these conventions when this is supposed to be a blog dedicated to the bicycle? Well, I'd love to report on warm and fuzzy stories like bike sharing programs at these gatherings...but it just doesn't seem important when my fellow citizens and friends are being abused, chased, attacked, beaten and arrested. Sorry, I just can't be silent. And besides I like to follow up on things.

So here is a wrap up report from I-witness video. A dedicated group of citizens, armed with video cameras who go to demonstrations to document police activity.

Hello folks,

Here is an overview of what the members of I-Witness Video saw and
experienced over the past week or so in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Regards,
Eileen Clancy

for the I-Witness Video Collective

--------------

Violence and cruel treatment directed at protesters by police;
Journalists targeted for arrest, harassment, intimidation and surveillance

Police Violence in the Streets

The members of I-Witness Video have been appalled to see a high level of
violence directed against peaceful demonstrators, medics, legal observers
and journalists at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul,
Minnesota.

Concussion grenades, smoke bombs, CS gas (tear gas), rubber bullets and
pepper spray were used to attack and herd demonstrators.

In particular, pepper spray was used excessively and indiscriminately to
torment and punish demonstrators in a manner that violates widely accepted
law enforcement standards. In one instance a man was pepper-sprayed while
handcuffed and then punched in the kidneys. Peaceful demonstrators have
been restrained and forced to kneel on pavement for hours after being
pepper sprayed without being given medical attention. In another instance
where pepper spray was used to preemptively punish a person who was
perceived by police to be a protester, a lone street medic was entering
her car when police drove up, sprayed a small fire extinguisher sized
canister of pepper spray into her car, completely soaking her head to toe
before driving away, leaving her gasping for air and collapsing. The
medic was neither arrested nor charged.

Here is a clip showing police use of pepper spray.
CNN.com video Clip

Abuses in the Jails

The treatment of arrestees in the jails has been shockingly bad, even
grisly. Medical care has been withheld from many arrestees. In one
instance a hemophiliac was offered gauze as treatment for a wound. Elliot
Hughes, a 19-year old arrested while bicycling, was forced to wear a bag
over his head while being gagged and beaten. Hughes tells his story at a
press conference:
Youtube video

full video here.

The punishment of arrestees did not end at the jailhouse door. In almost
every instance, the Sheriff’s Department did not return any personal
belongings to arrestees upon their release. Many, including under-age
women and girls, were put out in the cold in the middle of the night
wearing thin prison-grade shorts and a white t-shirt. Some were dropped
off as far as five miles away from the jail without their house keys, car
keys, cell phones, identification, or money. In some instances this meant
that they were not able to access critically needed medication.

Targeting of Journalists

Many journalists working during the period of the RNC experienced
obstruction, harassment and arrests. Thirty journalists were arrested
including reporters from ABC News, Fox News, and Indymedia. On September
1, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, two producers from Democracy
Now! were slammed on the pavement and against the wall, arrested and
charged with a felony riot. Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was also
arrested and charged with interfering with a police officer. On September
4 Kouddous was arrested again, along with Democracy Now! producer Rick
Rowley.

Harassment of I-Witness Video

Members of I-Witness Video were visited by the FBI and a Wisconsin
sheriff, were falsely arrested without charges being filed, underwent a
search under an invalid warrant, were threatened on the street by police
officers, extensively surveiled by police officers with video cameras and
followed by undercover officers.

Two days before the convention opened, St. Paul police surrounded the
house we were staying in, effectively placing us under arrest for two
hours. When a search warrant was finally produced, it was for the wrong
house.

When we declined to allow them to search our house under an invalid
warrant, they broke in and held us at gunpoint. We were handcuffed behind
our backs and held in the backyard while the house and our belongings were
searched.

During the same period three other member of the collective were detained
while leaving the area on bicycles and two others in a car were pulled
over and detained for four hours.

An excerpt of a video by the Glass Bead Collective shows the St. Paul
police breaking into our house and pointing guns at us:
video here.

In a sinister progression of events, police officers arrived at our office
building four days later with batons at the ready, carrying a battering
ram and alleging that we were holding people hostage in the I-Witness
Video office. A prompt response by National Lawyer’s Guild attorneys
thwarted further police action. The unfounded and absurd allegation by
police that hostages were barricaded in our office could have allowed them
to enter our office without a warrant and possibly even shoot us.
5th.
Please check our website for updates - we will continue to let you know
more about the 2008 RNC and DNC as we investigate further.

But police brutality isn't limited to just these big demonstrations, they happen all the time including at a concert last Friday, Sept. 5th in NYC.

Chris Ryan of team spider made these two videos.

see the violence and tazzering at:

Teamspider blog.

Bikeblog round up, 02

2008-09-06T05:58:00.009-04:00

Searching the world of bicycle related blogs.

London, UK

Buffalo Bill at Moving Target Zine has a description of the Marcus Cook Award. Each year this prized trophy is awarded to an outstanding member of the international messenger community. Its time for the nominations.

Check out more Here.

Japan

Asakusa, at Fixylife has a few snapshots from this years bicycle film festival. My Japanese isn't so good though.

my Korean's not good either...but there's a Korean fixed gear blog now.

Cranky

Europe

Heatherbikes has completed her bicycle tour of Europe. Check out some amazing photos from the trip and see the entire route.

Alaska

Jill a journalist and avid cyclist in Alaska has some notes on Sarah Palin and mostly some amazing photos of our most North reaching state.

Check it out at Arcticglass

NYC

All Posers Must Die has alerted me that the Rats are Back.

Starting Monday, Sept. 8th, sprint race series begins again.

More info at ratpackhustle

And in the New Blog spotlight...

I found:

Velotopia from my old home town of Seattle Washington. Their editor and chief, David Cole had a great quote: "Bicycling is the source and cure of all of my problems." (I wish it were that simple)

Here's what it says about their site: "About Us

We like bikes. We firmly believe that anything with two wheels and pedals will lead you down the road to happiness. This website is about that road.

There's quite a few different bike subcultures out there: from brakeless fixie kids pedaling in skin-tight denim to hairless racer dudes drafting in skin-tight lycra and we tend to like them all. We like organized rides with bountiful food stops and numbers pinned to our jerseys just about as much as we like to get surly and take over the streets on the last Friday of the month. We like pump tracks, dirt parks, Sunday rides, midnight races, velodromes, single track, watching the tour, touring the countryside, climbing hills, Thursday crits, truing our wheels, anything to do with bikes we like. And that's what this website is about: Bikes!"

Like a biker to the pavement...Charges Dropped

2008-09-05T11:49:00.002-04:00

Its hard to believe but somehow Christopher Long did not cause assault to rookie officer, Patrick Pogan's forearms in the July Critical Mass bike ride.

His charges of assault were miraculously dropped today in court, thanks to the power of video.
Over a million views make it painfully clear that this officer of the law was egregiously acting like a some sort of...member of the NYPD.

He can have some time at his desk to think about his actions and not out on the street keeping us safe from the threat of people riding their bikes in groups.

Here is a website he should visit:

NY Anger Management

And a press release from Times Up here.

Donut Social Tonight...Stickin it to the Man.

2008-09-05T10:23:00.003-04:00

From Gothamist:

NYPD Tries to Shush Donut Social Protest in East Village
Those self-described downtown "slacktivists" who previously called for yuppie scum to die at the Bowery Wine Company are focusing their contempt on the NYPD. They're planning a punk concert and protest Friday night against "police brutality, real estate developers, and the blatant selectively targeted harassment/discrimination toward our scene during the 20th Anniversary of the Tompkins Square Park Police Riots concert/political rally." The so-called "Donut Social" was originally planned for directly outside the 9th precinct on East 5th Street, but the NYPD wasn't so into that, so the rabble have been relocated to the corner of First Ave and 5th. The other hitch is that police are insisting on a 70 decibel sound level at 100 feet with the permit. According to NMNL, that's about the same level as the sound of a vacuum cleaner at 10 feet.

Come hear punk show...Death Mold and the Crack Steady Five

More details at Nothing More Nor Less.

Now why would anyone think there is police brutality?

Article in NYTimes about charges against Christopher Long.

2008-09-05T07:50:00.001-04:00

NY Times Article: Here.

Charges Said to Be Voided for Bicyclist

By JOHN ELIGON
Published: September 4, 2008

Prosecutors are expected to drop criminal charges on Friday against a bicyclist who was pushed off his bike in July by a police officer in Times Square, said Mark M. Taylor, a lawyer for the bicyclist. The encounter was captured on amateur video.

The bicyclist, Christopher Long, 29, was charged with attempted assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct on July 25 during a monthly ride called Critical Mass. The arresting officer, Patrick Pogan, wrote in his report that Mr. Long had been weaving in and out of traffic and that he had tried to hit the officer with his bicycle.

But video recorded by an onlooker soon surfaced on YouTube, showing Officer Pogan lowering his shoulder and shoving Mr. Long off his bike on Seventh Avenue at 46th Street as Mr. Long tried to steer out of the way.

On Thursday, prosecutors declined to comment on their case against Mr. Long and would neither confirm nor deny that they planned to drop the charges.

After the video surfaced, Officer Pogan was stripped of his gun and badge and placed on desk duty, pending a department investigation. Mr. Taylor said his client planned to sue the city.

Norman Siegel, a civil rights lawyer who has represented several Critical Mass participants, said that dropping the charges against Mr. Long would be the right thing to do, and that he hoped the prosecutors would go one step further.

“I think they should give serious consideration to bringing perjury and assault charges against the cop,” Mr. Siegel said. “This is the way to get accountability over the police and reduce police misconduct. If you make this officer an example, then the message is: This kind of conduct is unacceptable and there will be legal consequences for it.”

Tensions have long existed between Critical Mass riders and the police, who complain that the riders ignore traffic laws.

Shortly before the Republican National Convention in 2004, a large number of officers arrested more than 250 riders on charges that included parading without a permit. In 2006, a state judge turned down a request by the city to forbid Time’s Up, an environmental group that promotes the monthly rides, to take part in them, to gather at Union Square Park beforehand and to mention the rides on its Web site.

Photos from NACCC.

2008-09-05T07:13:00.002-04:00

Here are some photos from this years 2008 North American Cycle Courier Championships:

Urbanvelo.org has a series from Bike Polo.

Here.

Also, Kevin Dillard of Demoncats.com has some amazing photos. (I suggest viewing the slideshow...its like being there.)

Christopher Long in court and Critical Mass tales.

2008-09-05T00:50:00.004-04:00

I know this is last minute, but I just got it:

Christopher Long's will be in court tomorrow (Friday) at 9:30am for
his crime of being knocked off his bicycle by a police officer during
the July August Critical Mass.

If you can, please come to support Christopher!!

100 Center Street, Part B
Manattan

Two articles about last months Critical Mass ride in NYC-

From the Downtown Express

Mass bike riders convene on convention anniversary

bike lift in Times Square-photo by Jefferson Siegel

By Jefferson Siegel

Last Friday was a night of milestones for the monthly Critical Mass ride. It was the fourth anniversary of the 2004 Republican National Convention ride that saw 264 cyclists arrested. It was the first ride since cyclist Christopher Long was knocked off his bike by a police officer last month. It was the last ride of summer and was bookmarked between this year’s Democratic and Republican conventions.

Read the full article here

From the Tech dept.

2008-09-04T14:01:00.004-04:00

From the technology corner, Dan Katz sent me two articles:

Say goodbye to bike chains and say hello to belt drives.
Article at Gizmodo.com

and from Wired, its the Gyro Bike.

Bicycle Film Festival Tokyo, Sept. 5th-7th

2008-09-04T13:12:00.002-04:00

That's right Godzilla rides a bike and he's heading to this year's Bicycle Film Festival

September 5th-7th.

Check out more from this from my man Eli Chessen's Blog.

And check out a video to of Pedalmafia

Pedal Mafia Matsuri Madness from Eli Tokyo Jitensha-Jin on Vimeo.

Police at it again in RNC

2008-09-03T15:14:00.002-04:00

Got this from I-witness video who is in Minneapolis to document police misconduct during demonstrations. Man, they must be inundated with footage which will help for the years of lawsuits against the city of Minneapolis and St. Paul, in the future.

"Police have arrived at our office in St. Paul. They say that they have
received reports of hostages barricaded in the building. We are behind a
locked door. Lawyers are outside dealing with them."

- Eileen

Bicycle News Round up 02

2008-09-03T10:49:00.003-04:00

Wednesday Bicycle News Roundup Number #02

San Jose California.

KCBS news

San Jose Police Crackdown on Bicycle Riders

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KCBS) -- San Jose police will be out in force this week ready to ticket kids riding their bikes without a bicycle helmet.

Police Chief Rob Davis says they want parents and children to keep bicycle safety in mind as kids head back to school after Labor Day.

In addition to tickets, the police department will also hand out free bike helmets as part of its Street Smarts program, said San Jose Transportation Director James Helmer.

This increased emphasis on bicycle safety comes in the wake of a tragic accident at the end of last school year. 12-year-old Breanna Slaughter-Eck was struck and killed by an SUV as she rode her bike home from Hoover Middle School. The driver turned out to be an illegal immigrant.

original article

Eureka, California.

Time to make it safer for bicycle commuters

The Times-Standard
Article Launched: 09/03/2008 01:30:17 AM PDT

The recent death of avid bicycle commuter Gregory Jennings should spur local government officials into taking additional action to make highways safer for area bicyclists.

Jennings died last week after his bicycle was hit by a car when it drifted onto the shoulder off State Route 299. Authorities said Jennings, a respected biologist, was doing everything right -- wearing colorful clothing and a helmet and he was riding on the side of the shoulder farthest from vehicle lanes.

This was the fourth bicycle-related death in the past seven years, and comes at a time when more and more people are considering taking their bikes to work to save on the high cost of gasoline. Since March, there have been nine collisions involving cars and bicycles on the highway.

Read article here.

US

The Big 5 of Bicycle Advocacy, working on bicycle related issues on the National Level.

Article comes from Pittsburgh's own urbanvelo

The “Big 5″ of Advocacy

Chances are that you’ve got a local, regional, or state bicycle advocacy organization working to improve conditions in your area. But do you know who is working at the national level to change bicycling in this country? And why should you care? These groups are working to fundamentally change all aspects of bicycling in this country. Everything from how projects are funded, how laws are written and enforced, building and strengthening local groups, to on and off-road access, etc. In no particular order…

The League of American Bicyclists - Originally formed in 1880 as the “League of American Wheelman”, this is the world’s oldest transportation organization. Best known these days for their popular “Bicycle Friendly Community” initiative and “National Bike Month“, the League works on advocacy, outreach, and education issues that affect all bicyclists. More information on their Mission, History, and Key Programs here.

Bikes Belong Coalition - promotes that they “put people on bicycles more often”. Formed by the bicycling industry to strengthen and increase Federal Policy and Funding, build National Partnerships, provide Community Grants, and promote bicycling. Best known for their grants of up to $10,000 to fund projects that will improve local bicycling conditions.

Find out the other groups Here.

UK

Bike Sales increase due to success of Olympic cycling team.

Two wheels good

The Hitwise data suggested that bicycle retailers received a boost in particular, after the success of the British cycling team.

Phil Beer, manager at Tibbs Cycle Store in Canterbury, says that the heroics of athletes such as Chris Hoy has sparked more interest.

"We have certainly had more people talking about cycling, but how long that continues we will wait to see," he says.

There has also been striking interest from dads keen to get back into BMX cycling after watching the, ultimately unsuccessful, exploits of Shanaze Reade, he says.

Fathers are buying their children a BMX and then deciding to return to racing themselves.

read more here.

OH CANADA!
Hubs and Spokes
Has a story on Extreme commuting from Mike Caslor in Winnipeg Canada.

And in the exotic New Jersey...

Morristown's Mayor shows up for Critical Mass Ride.

Read all about it Here

How bout it Mayor Bloomberg? Wanna Ride?

The NACCC wrapped up in Chicago

2008-09-03T01:01:00.007-04:00

Sweet Prize Bags:

I've been so tied up with Cops beating on journalists in Minneapolis I forgot all about the 2008 Cycle Courier Championships in Chicago.

Who Won?

Looks like Austin Horse from NYC top Male and Kym Perfetto from NYC, female. DAMN! NYC killed it.

Results and Pictures from Chicago bike blog: hipsternascar.com

also check out: Dispatch101

pictures from Camilla Candida Donzella
and
(picture of Austin and Kym)

Kym Perfetto

Video from Urbanvelo

The Children are the Future.

2008-09-03T00:55:00.002-04:00

May they grow up and ride bikes.

Got this from Squid's Cyclehawk Blog.

Labor Day, at the Kissena Queens Track.

Photos by Amy Bolger. Slideshow here.

Bike couriers, cheap on Gas. NY Times Article

2008-09-02T12:34:00.002-04:00

Hodari of Checker Courier makes the Times. Nice one Ho.

Unburdened by Gas Costs, Bike Couriers See a Chance.

By APRIL DEMBOSKY
Published: September 1, 2008

New York City’s bike messengers remain a fixture on the streets, having weathered the advent of the fax machine and, of course, e-mail. Now, with the cost of gas pummeling courier companies that rely on motorized vehicles, a few enterprising cyclists are using the opportunity to generate more business.
A small but growing number of pedal-powered messengers are outfitting their bicycles and, in some cases, tricycles, with boxes and flatbeds on which they can load hundreds of pounds of cargo.

“Eighty percent of the jobs done in a van I can do,” said Hodari Depalm, the owner of Checker Courier, a cargo messenger company in Manhattan that says it can move up to 200 pounds of documents by bike. Mr. Depalm said his two-man messenger business had increased by 20 percent within the last year.

Rest of the article Here.

Interview with MASH riders from Estonia

2008-09-02T10:30:00.003-04:00

Just got sent this link from Risto, who publishes a magazine, Sahtel in Tallinn Estonia.

Check out this interview with Jonathan Burkett and Garrett Chow from MASH SF.

Link

UrbanVelo Issue #9 is out.

2008-09-02T10:23:00.003-04:00

Get all issues online, downloaded for free

HERE.

Arrest everyone! and other reports from RNC in Minneapolis

2008-09-02T07:22:00.009-04:00

This is what a free country looks like:

Convention protest descends into violence

Article:
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:01 PM on 02nd September 2008
Riot police arrested around 250 people outside the Republican presidential convention last night after a protest descended into violence.

Around 10,000 had gathered for a peaceful march calling for an end to the Iraq war which eventually erupted into pitched battles between a breakaway group and officers.

Police used pepper spray and smoke bombs to break up the mob while officers on horseback, motorcycles and bicycles chased a group of rock-and bottle-throwing
protesters.

read more her.

Award Winning journalist of independent news show Democracy Now! is arrested while trying to help other journalists from the show.

This and more reported on by Submedia.org.

Here the story:

Yesterday 10,000 protestors demanded an end to the war including veterans for peace.

Article in Newsday about NYC Critical Mass

2008-08-31T15:28:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-31T15:21:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-08-31T07:09:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-31T07:02:00.004-04:00

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.

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

2008-08-29T10:07:00.004-04:00

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.

Reporter looking for New Bikers.

2008-08-28T17:42:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-28T17:41:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-28T17:22:00.001-04:00

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.

2008-08-28T17:13:00.002-04:00

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

KGNU.org

Freewheelin Program in Denver during convention.

2008-08-28T17:07:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-08-28T02:59:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-28T02:35:00.003-04:00

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.

2008-08-28T01:02:00.004-04:00

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.

Park Slope resident is selling Workman Trike

2008-08-27T07:15:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-08-27T06:47:00.003-04:00

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

And so it continues...

2008-08-26T07:19:00.001-04:00

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.

2008-08-26T00:18:00.006-04:00

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

2008-08-26T00:10:00.002-04:00

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!

2008-08-26T00:03:00.002-04:00

Cyclehawk gets it done

2008-08-25T23:56:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-25T01:32:00.004-04:00

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...

2008-08-25T01:02:00.006-04:00

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.

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

2008-08-24T01:56:00.005-04:00

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.

2 events going on tomorrow in NYC.

2008-08-22T16:10:00.003-04:00

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.

Video from XLR8R on Quake City Rumble

2008-08-13T14:45:00.006-04:00

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

2008-08-13T12:28:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-13T12:12:00.003-04:00

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.

Video of Summer Streets.

2008-08-11T22:40:00.003-04:00

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.

2008-08-11T22:31:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-11T19:01:00.005-04:00

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!

2008-08-11T11:29:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-08-11T02:58:00.003-04:00

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.

2008-08-11T01:52:00.003-04:00

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.

2008-08-11T01:44:00.002-04:00

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?

2008-08-11T01:37:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-08-11T01:16:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-11T01:06:00.001-04:00

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

2008-08-11T01:03:00.001-04:00

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

2008-08-11T00:56:00.003-04:00

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.

24hour scavenger hunt/alleycat in Portland

2008-08-09T05:41:00.003-04:00

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.

2008-08-09T05:34:00.003-04:00

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.

2008-08-09T05:12:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-09T04:07:00.005-04:00

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

Happy Olympics

2008-08-07T22:18:00.000-04:00

Here is a video from Oren Kaplan

History will be made.

NY Times article on Old Rides are new again.

2008-08-07T17:53:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-07T17:28:00.002-04:00

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!

Comix

2008-08-06T17:59:00.003-04:00

Thanks Roger M.

Susan B Crusin-Ride what yeah got.

2008-08-06T03:43:00.002-04:00

Susan B Crusin

Bike Jacksonville, Fl.

2008-08-05T22:47:00.001-04:00

Just got contacted from Mike in Jacksonville.

Check out their scene:

bikejax

Bicycle Film Festival is in Chicago

2008-08-05T21:59:00.003-04:00

Rolling strong, onto the next site:

CHICAGO
August 6th-10th

Bicycle Film Festival-Chicago

First stop:

Wednesday, August 6th-2008
Bikes Rock-opening party @
SONOTHEQUE
1444 West Chicago St.
DJ MATT ROAN +E-SIX
$3 cover
9pm
$4 Svedka Cocktails

valet Bike Parking provided by: Chicagoland Bicycle Federation

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Movies
all screenings at-

Columbia College
1104 S. Wabash AVE, 8th Floor

Sunday, August 10th, 11am-5pm

BFF BLOCK PARTY
In front of Cobra Lounge
Fulton b/w Ashland and Noble
11:00am - 5:00pm

Bring your family, your bike, maybe a blanket, and come hang out

11:00am - Bike Parade!
Kids, Parents, Adults - everyone's invited to decorate their bike, best decorations/costume wins! Help kick off the block party with a neighborhood parade!

12:00pm - Head to Head IROsprints
(Bracket style) $5 per entry
Grand Prize: Rudy Project Helmet

1:00pm - Park Tool Mechanics Buildoff
$30 per entry, benefits Working Bikes, Grand Prize: Park Tool RK-41 Tool Set (limited to the first 15 entrants, email michelle_d@bicyclefilmfestival.com to register in advance)

2:00pm - Bike Polo
Including lessons for first timers

3:00pm - Sprints and Skidz
To benefit the Cuttin' Crew - including Sprints, Skids, Best Trick, Foot Down: Each entry ($10) and win gets you raffle tickets for a Capone Cycles frameset

Food! Drinks! Music! Demonstration by Nocturnal! Raffles! Vendors! All Day Cycling Extravaganza!

The Third one of these I know.

2008-08-05T21:56:00.002-04:00

All Girls alleycat in Seattle Washington:

peep the myspace page-emerald city bike bloc for more info.

The ladies, the ladies.