What's your community doing for National Bike to Work Week?

[taterguy]

Mine: Not a damn thing.

What about yours?

[mzteris]

1. Wisconsin moved theirs to June -

better weather.

Of course I live in one of the best "bike friendly" cities in the US.


To see some good ideas, though: http://www.bfw.org/index.php

[taterguy]

6. I love it when corporations throw their money around to influence policy

That is, if the corporation in question is Wisconsin's Trek Bicycle Company

[Spike from MN]

31. Minnesota did too. Or, at least the Twin Cities did. Not sure about the outstaters.

It's now called Bike Walk Week and it's June 5-11.

Actually, they're going to have three of them: one in the summer, one in the fall, and one during the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Here's a link to their website though I think it's still a work in progress: http://www.bikewalkweek.org/index.html

[nickinSTL]

2. nothing that I know of

we actually have pretty decent bike trails around here - in theory, I could ride a bike most of the way to and from work - the first and last mile or so would be on back streets.

However, I can't really imagine me being able to bike 12 miles to work...and then 12 miles back. That's a long ride, and I haven't been on a bike in years (unless you count a stationary exercise bike).

[taterguy]

4. Work up to it and eventually 12 miles will seem like a ride around the block

Seriously.

Well, maybe a really big block.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. We are moving my town 15 miles closer to where I work.

It will be quite an effort, but it will be easier than putting the trains back in service on what are now bike paths.

Oh the irony, it hurts.

[customerserviceguy]

5. Your announcement is the first news I've had of such a thing

Maybe I can get my condo board to donate a wreath to the tomb of the unknown cyclist, but there's an SUV parked over it.

[taterguy]

7. Is that near the tomb of the unknown who died of heart disease because they didn't exercise enough?

I'm getting a little sick of the "Only people with a Death Wish Ride Bikes" meme.

[customerserviceguy]

14. Ah, but all of those people were known!

OK, I understand that you like to ride bikes, more power to you. You have the "If You Don't Ride Your Bike to Work Every Day, No Matter What, You're Not as Good as I Am" meme, and I'm a bit sick of that.

Fair enough?

[taterguy]

26. For the record, my position is that people should just be open to using bikes for transportation

I accept that sometimes cars are required for the task at hand.

Hell, I use them myself sometimes.

But that doesn't mean they have to be used all the time.

Bike to Work Week is a chance to try something new, just to see what happens.

A wise man once said: Sometimes you've just gotta say: 'What the fuck.' What the fuck brings you freedom. Freedom brings opportunity.

Dig it.

[customerserviceguy]

34. I feel that way

when my favorite beer bar gets in a new craft brew. But, seriously...

I'm glad you (and apparently most others here) live in places where they feel they can bike safely. I wish I lived in such a place, but in the three years I've lived here since moving from the Pacific Northwest (a place I did ride a bike to and from work for a brief period in the 1990's) I find that the place I've moved to is plumb full of hypocrites.

Yes, people here vote the "correct" way in elections, but they'll run you over on the way to church. And we're not talking fundies here, but Catholics who usually stand for social justice, even if their hierarchy doesn't always. The amount of waste generated here is appalling, it seems like I'm one of the few people who cooks fresh food at home instead of always buying over-wrapped take-out.

And racism? I guess I lived a fairly sheltered life for 37 years out in WA state, I've heard more racist synonyms for African-Americans on this coast than I ever heard out in the Northwest. Most people who see my white skin just assume that I'm a bigot just like them, and proceed to tell me about what they think of our neighbors of color, whether their heritage is from Africa, Asia, Latin America, or even a European nation that the speaker does not happen to be from.

Ecofriendly? Fuggetaboudit. Every morning on my way to work, I see Maternal Assault Vehicles with their kids in the minivan, waiting for the school bus to come, when the kid would only have to walk at most 700 feet from the front door of the condo. As I approach work, I see countless Lexus, BMW, Acura and Mercedes SUV's waiting to drop their little geniuses off at the magnet academy, so their precious little ones don't have to ride the school bus.

When you realize that some situations are almost hopelessly screwn beyond belief, my becoming a target on two wheels really isn't going to help much. I certainly hope that your efforts to encourage people to do the right thing spills over to areas like mine, but I'm not expecting it in my lifetime. I apologize if my words on this thread (and others) were discouraging to you, you need to keep on beating that drum. It's just that my world seems a million miles away from your world.

[Brickbat]

8. Nothing, but our U.S. rep does a lot for bike trails in this district.

He loves his bikes, does Mr. Oberstar.



ETA: He often comes back to do a bike trail thing on some "yay bike" day or another.

[taterguy]

10. My US Rep is Virginia Foxx

I don't know if she's ever been on a bike.

The major road in her district is named for Junior Johnson.

[Gormy Cuss]

9. Nothing. We had Bike to Work day last Thursday in the SF Bay area.

Lots of promotions ahead of time, lots of swag at the energizer stations, and a special family biking event during the late afternoon period with special treats and contests for kids.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. Actually its Ride to Work day, its international and its 21 June this year

http://www.ridetowork.org/

[yewberry]

12. Lots. It's bike to work month here.

And the 21st is bike to work day. Team challenges, free stuff (t-shirts, maps, snacks, etc.) at various locations.

Here's a clip of the mayor on biking to work: http://brokensidewalk.com/2010/05/06/bike-to-work-month-seattles-biking-mayor/

And just for fun, here's a cute clip of the morning offload from the ferry into downtown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6VZifLlac

[taterguy]

13. It's odd that some of the cities with the worst conditions are the most supportive of biking

Seattle is cold, it has big hills and it rains a lot.

Madison has brutal winters, same with Minneapolis.

But cycling is quite popular in those cities.

Meanwhile in the Sun Belt which has great weather most days . . .

[WorseBeforeBetter]

15. Raleigh, NC...

Don't forget tomorrow (Friday) is the kickoff of Bike to Work Week, with events occurring in Raleigh at Marbles Kids Museum, and throughout the Triangle. So far it looks like the weather is going to cooperate. Bring a friend if you can!

Events at Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh:

* 3 - 6pm: Cycling & Environmental Expo
Free children’s helmets with fittings (First come, first served). Bike on bus demonstrations. Also includes the following events:

* 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm: Kids Bike Safety Rodeo. (Bikes were not able to be provided this year.)

* 4 - 5pm: Community Leaders’ Bicycle Transportation Information Exchange with Elected Officials. Updated agenda at:
http://www.campo-nc.us/BPSG/BTWW%20Bike%20Info%20Exchange_5-14-10.pdf

* 5-6pm: Commuting 101 for Adults and Students.

* 6pm: Downtown Group Ride - 3.7 miles following this route:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=201+East+Hargett+Street,+Raleigh,+NC+27601&daddr=W+Hargett+St+to:S+West+St+to:S+West+St+to:Woodburn+Rd+to:St+Marys+St+to:St+Marys+St+to:W+Jones+St+to:E+Jones+St+to:218+South+Blount+Street,+Raleigh,+NC+27601+%28Tir+na+nOg%29&geocode=FSbuIQIdlRpQ-ynV88VnbV-siTEjJ uGrfz1UiA%3BFdjvIQId3vRP-w%3BFQr1IQIdQvVP-w%3BFez3IQIdXvVP-w%3BFYoUIgIdX8FP-w%3BFfoOIgIdXOJP-w%3BFQkIIgIdrOJP-w%3BFZAAIgIdxPVP-w%3BFVD_IQIdwhpQ-w%3BFR7sIQIdYRlQ-yFsUIRdAYGFnSlNWjmCcl-siTHMa4wYr3ZJ1w&hl=en&mra=mr&mrcr=0&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8&sll=35.781683,-78.647561&sspn=0.020297,0.033088&ie=UTF8&z=15&dirflg=d

And for events in Apex, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham (including Duke), Raleigh (including NCSU), RTP and Wake Forest see:
http://www.campo-nc.us/bikepedestrian.html

~~~~~

I'd love to ride my bike to work, but me + crazies barreling down Falls of Neuse = death wish.

[Better Believe It]

16. Far too many irresponsible bikers who think they are Lance Amstrong are causing accidents now.

And I've never seen a single biker ticketed for violating clear and sensible rules of the road!

They think they own the roads!

[Codeine]

19. +1

And I NEVER agree with anything you post! :hi:

[ProgressiveProfessor]

21. I've seen bicyclist cause accidents and then wonder why they were cited

or in one case sued.

[devilgrrl]

17. Nothing that I've heard but I'm sure many will be participating

:-)

[KonaKane]

18. Since so many people bike already here,

and since so many people, like me, work at home....probably not much.

[fishwax]

20. we had a bike to work day a few weeks ago

While school at the university was still in session.

It was on a day that I don't usually go to the office, so I didn't see how it went, but apparently the organizers were very happy.

[OmahaBlueDog]

22. Omaha and Council Bluffs had both mayors ride to work

They had a ceremony near the Bob Kerry pedestrian bridge to kick off "Ride to Work Week.". The news stations played up the "local mayors turn their backs on one another...but for a good cause" theme.The mayors met, proclamations were read, and then they rode off to work.

[pipi_k]

23. We're using dynamite and large bulldozers

to flatten the mountains so they're easier to navigate with bicycles.

[Tailormyst]

24. Haven't heard of it.

[hobbit709]

25. Don't care as long as the Spandex butts stay off MoPac.

[Chemical Bill]

27. I rode my bike to work today.

And there's this:
http://bikeprovidence.org/

04.21.10
Bike Month

Posted in Bike Month, Commuter Challenge, Programs by Mark Dieterich at 4:21 pm

The month of May is Bike Month. This year, The Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition partners are teaming up to bring cyclists multiple events through the month of May. In addition, there are other groups and individuals hosting bike related events during the month. We will be updating this post with a list of all the Bike Month events. Get ready to ride!

RIBike events

* For the entire month of May, we are challenging Rhode Island residents to commute in a more environmentally friendly way. If you have what it takes to challenge yourself, then join the 2010 Commuter Challenge. Have you already signed up? Log your commute.
* Swing by the Whole Foods Bike Day on North Main St on May 15th for a free helmet fit check and other safe cycling tips.
* The annual Providence Bike-to-Work day will be held on Friday, May 21st:
o Bike Trains from three different locations around the State, arriving in time for morning press conference. Check the map for estimated times and locations.
o What Cheer? Brigade from 5:30pm – 6pm
* RIVeloSprints demo at REI on Saturday, May 22nd.

Other events around the state

* The 7th Annual Ride of Silence will be held on May 19th.
* Mix art and bicycles by joining the Gallery Night 2010 – Bicycle Tour on May 20th
* Join the Full Moon Bike Ride for a unique ride around Providence during the wee hours of May 28th.

Rhode Island is pretty small, so this covers almost the whole state.

Bill

[WinkyDink]

28. Bicycling to work? Like, a female teacher with tons of PAPERS?

Or a businesswoman in a suit with purse and briefcase? Or a working woman who needs to drop her child off at school/day-care and then after work shop for groceries?

The streets aren'T safe even for women DRIVERS, let alone unprotected women bicyclists who aren't dressed in Olympian gear while hunched over zipping through traffic.

Also: Been to Scandinavia and the Netherlands several times. THEY ARE FAR DIFFERENT CULTURES IN THIS PARTICULAR REGARD. J/S.

And FTR: I love riding my bike in my neighborhood. Not opposed to bicycles!

[taterguy]

29. Not to mention how challenging it is if your hobby is sloth

[LWolf]

30. I have no idea. I haven't looked.

I didn't know it was National Bike to Work Week.

I don't go through town to get to work; I detour through once a week on my way home for groceries, gas, etc..

Lots of bikes out, but that's normal for this area, this time of year.

[Brother Buzz]

32. My podunk bike shop opened early to serve 'refueling' refreshments

Nobody stopped in to imbibe, but the shop owner received mention of his efforts in the local paper.

[MyNameGoesHere]

33. we are staying away from this guy

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8350441&mesg_id=8350441

[flvegan]

35. National Bike Month here in Tampa.

Though biking to work is largely NOT recommended. Way too many idiots, far too few bike lanes.

Many of the bike clubs are having events though.