OK, I admit San Francisco might be a little ahead of the Tampa Bay in the bicycle world. Check out how the iPhone has become an effective tool for bicyclists to warn other cyclists about road issues.
Tip of the helmet to Bicycle Stories correspondent Steve Swiger for sending this in.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Those Evil Bicyclists
I'm always amazed at how communities oppose bicycle lanes and bicycling, in general. In fact, I'm about to run an errand in my neighborhood of Seminole Heights and I plan to hop on my cargo errand bicycle and I can tell you that at 4:30 PM I'll easily get to my destination in faster time than if I took the ol' car out of the garage and drove it the huge distance of two miles to my destination.
Anyway, my North Carolina pal Willie Drye sends me this gem about a Hasidic group in Brooklyn opposing bike lanes -- but that some guerrilla bicyclists painted the bike lanes after they removed.
From the New York Post:
The war over Williamsburg has taken yet another turn.
In response to last week's removal of bike lanes in the traditionally Hasidic neighborhood in Brooklyn, a group of local bike riders took it upon themselves to repaint the lane lines running down Bedford Avenue.
The Hasids had asked the city to remove the bike lanes from the neighborhood, claiming the influx of bikers posed a "safety and religious hazard."
In an interesting twist, the group of guerrilla line painters reportedly included members of the Hasidic community who are not opposed to the lanes.
Last year the religious group complained to the community board that many of the young, female cyclists who rode through the neighborhood were "hotties," who "ride in shorts and skirts," both of which are against their dress code.
According to the New York Post, "a source close to Mayor Bloomberg said removing the lanes was an effort to appease the Hasidic community just before last month's election."
Anyway, my North Carolina pal Willie Drye sends me this gem about a Hasidic group in Brooklyn opposing bike lanes -- but that some guerrilla bicyclists painted the bike lanes after they removed.
From the New York Post:
The war over Williamsburg has taken yet another turn.
In response to last week's removal of bike lanes in the traditionally Hasidic neighborhood in Brooklyn, a group of local bike riders took it upon themselves to repaint the lane lines running down Bedford Avenue.
The Hasids had asked the city to remove the bike lanes from the neighborhood, claiming the influx of bikers posed a "safety and religious hazard."
In an interesting twist, the group of guerrilla line painters reportedly included members of the Hasidic community who are not opposed to the lanes.
Last year the religious group complained to the community board that many of the young, female cyclists who rode through the neighborhood were "hotties," who "ride in shorts and skirts," both of which are against their dress code.
According to the New York Post, "a source close to Mayor Bloomberg said removing the lanes was an effort to appease the Hasidic community just before last month's election."
Monday, December 7, 2009
It's Not About The Money
I interrupt my daily flow of bicycle content for this gem of a newspaper job (I used to work full-time in the biz).
So you want to be a newspaper reporter? Wanna earn $15K a year? Here's the job:
Company: News-Sun
Position: Seeking motivated reporter
Location: Sebring, Florida
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: $15,000 to $20,000
Ad Expires: January 11, 2010
Job ID: 1131533
Website: http://www.newssun.com
Description:
Reporter needed for Highlands County's hometown newspaper. The News-Sun, a three-times-a- week newspaper, has just been redesigned in print and online. We are looking for an experienced reporter to cover local government and general assignment. The right person must be creative, disciplined and eager to become part of a special editorial team whose focus is community-oriented journalism. A degree is preferred but not necessary. Photography and pagination experience is a major plus. EOE. Send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: H.R. Director, Harborpoint Media 212 E. Main St. Leesburg, FL 34748 Email: humanresources@newssun.com
So you want to be a newspaper reporter? Wanna earn $15K a year? Here's the job:
Company: News-Sun
Position: Seeking motivated reporter
Location: Sebring, Florida
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: $15,000 to $20,000
Ad Expires: January 11, 2010
Job ID: 1131533
Website: http://www.newssun.com
Description:
Reporter needed for Highlands County's hometown newspaper. The News-Sun, a three-times-a- week newspaper, has just been redesigned in print and online. We are looking for an experienced reporter to cover local government and general assignment. The right person must be creative, disciplined and eager to become part of a special editorial team whose focus is community-oriented journalism. A degree is preferred but not necessary. Photography and pagination experience is a major plus. EOE. Send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: H.R. Director, Harborpoint Media 212 E. Main St. Leesburg, FL 34748 Email: humanresources@newssun.com
Sunday, December 6, 2009
SHBC's Saturday Rides -- Including Dropping Off Teddy Bears
The Seminole Heights Bicycle Club is having a special pair of bike rides on Saturday, Dec. 12.
The bike club's Urban Ride leaving from the Garden Center at 8:30 AM will make a pitstop at the News Center on Parker Street in downtown Tampa to drop off Teddy Bears at the Channel 8/Tampa Tribune building. The Holiday Teddy Bear Urban Ride was the idea of SHBC member Jose. The Teddy Bears will go to kids this holiday season.
After that ride, yesterday's Holiday Family Ride that was rained out will be rescheduled for 11 AM also Saturday leaving from 1203 East Powhatan Avenue in Seminole Heights.
Please feel free to dress up your bicycle in holiday decorations for both rides:
Saturday, Dec. 12
8:30 AM -- Holiday Teddy Bear Urban Ride, dropping off Teddy Bears at Channel 8.
11 AM -- Holiday Family Ride
The bike club's Urban Ride leaving from the Garden Center at 8:30 AM will make a pitstop at the News Center on Parker Street in downtown Tampa to drop off Teddy Bears at the Channel 8/Tampa Tribune building. The Holiday Teddy Bear Urban Ride was the idea of SHBC member Jose. The Teddy Bears will go to kids this holiday season.
After that ride, yesterday's Holiday Family Ride that was rained out will be rescheduled for 11 AM also Saturday leaving from 1203 East Powhatan Avenue in Seminole Heights.
Please feel free to dress up your bicycle in holiday decorations for both rides:
Saturday, Dec. 12
8:30 AM -- Holiday Teddy Bear Urban Ride, dropping off Teddy Bears at Channel 8.
11 AM -- Holiday Family Ride
Here's To Being Independent -- Grand Opening in Seminole Heights
On Saturday, Bridget and I pedaled over to The Independent, a wonderful beer bar on Florida Avenue in Seminole Heights that held its official opening.
The Independent in St. Petersburg is known for its wonderful and tasty craft beers and the same can be said about the Seminole Heights bar, which opened two months ago but celebrated a "Grand Opening" on Saturday with some free pilsners, BBQ and contests.
Beer and bicycles. That's my red cruiser and Bridget's urban bike.
Bluegrass -- an underrated music genre. Cool live music at the grand opening.
The Independent in St. Petersburg is known for its wonderful and tasty craft beers and the same can be said about the Seminole Heights bar, which opened two months ago but celebrated a "Grand Opening" on Saturday with some free pilsners, BBQ and contests.
Beer and bicycles. That's my red cruiser and Bridget's urban bike.
Bluegrass -- an underrated music genre. Cool live music at the grand opening.
Fall Finally Came
The colors. The cool temps. It's fall in the Tampa area. Never saw this when I lived in South Florida.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Bicycle Stories Publishes Comment That Was Removed by TBO.com
Several months ago I posted this photo and sentiment on Facebook and I'm pulling it out for posting on Bicycle Stories in light of a story about a bicyclist who was given a citation by police for being in the road in Tampa.
This sentiment was also posted as a comment on this week's TBO.com story about bicyclist Brad Mercel who was cited by Tampa Police for impeding cars, but TBO removed the comment.
So, here is the comment that was removed by TBO.com:
"Do you like paved roads? Thank bicyclists. We're the ones who got this country to pave roads in the 1800s: 'The League of American Wheelmen founded Good Roads Magazine in 1892 to promote the need for public roads.' Now, I'd like a liitle piece of that road so I can drive my bicycle."
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