Category: Advocacy/Awareness

Topics include safe riding tips and techniques, organizations and publications promoting bicycle travel, bicycling infrastructure case studies and opportunities.

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Advocacy/Awareness Bike Touring Tips

Bike Touring and Riding Defensively

Picture of riding from the driver's seat
It was a lovely, crisp and sunny, winter day and I thought I would get out on the bike. Hoping to get some inspiration for a blog post it came in an unexpected way:

 

There are two occupants in the grey Honda Element and as they drive past me the passenger shrieks some sort of primal scream. I don’t think it is meant as encouragement to me. I don’t think I did anything to irritate these people, but maybe I did. Maybe I forced them to slow down or maybe they thought I was taking up too much of the road. Maybe they don’t like the way I look. Maybe their brains are scrambled from too much TV. Contravening my own guidelines, I take one hand off the handlebars and give them the universal sign indicating I think they are number one. Up ahead, impeding upon their forward progress is a stop sign, and seeing them slow down I increase my pedaling cadence in the hopes of overtaking them in order to assess the source of their obvious displeasure with me riding my bicycle. Briefly I wonder what I would do if I overtake them. Will I need some protection? What about the frame pump? Oh yes, I think, I have a can of pepper spray in my bag. Emboldened by that realization, a couple miles later, when they overtake me again, and the passenger issues forth with another similar greeting, I respond in kind and suggest they stop in order to discuss our grievances in a civilized manner. They don’t stop. By that time I have the pepper spray strapped to my hand and if they do stop and the conversation is less than civilized, at least we will have some entertainment. This is a scenario I have played over in my head ever since Juan Butler knocked me the fuck out after a similar altercation a few years ago. Since the pepper spray would only temporarily disable my assailant(s) I would need to grab the car keys and take them with me….otherwise I would be like a sitting duck on the bike once the driver recovered.

Pepper spray at the ready
Pepper spray strapped to the wrist
The pepper spray attached to the wrist….easier to ride this way and still prepared.

I have ridden my bike through two dozen of these United States. So far I would have to say that Texas is my favorite place to tour on a bicycle. The shoulders are broad and the drivers are courteous. Many people stop to see if you are OK or if you need anything or just to shoot the breeze, and sometimes to offer a place to stay. Me and Gary P. Nunn are down with Texas;
“the friendliest people and the prettiest women you’ll ever see“.

I would have to say that the state I’ve called home for the last two and a half decades is my least favorite place to ride a bike. In fairness to Idaho I’ve spent many more hours on the road here than any other state but over the years, having motorists yell at me has been the least of my worries. I have had plastic liter bottles and water balloons hurled at me from moving vehicles. And it was here, in Boise, that the aforementioned individual stopped his car and physically assaulted me. The only other occurrence that comes close was in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee when a car drove up behind me so stealthily I didn’t even hear it and the passenger tapped me on the butt as they slowly drove past. I think Clem was just trying to be friendly though so I can’t even get mad about that.

Now, far be it from me to agitate the already turbid waters of motorist/cyclist relationships. I do not advocate for any sort of reaction or retaliation for alleged wrongs of either party. I don’t place any blame nor do I hold out much hope for advocacy to change behaviors. I just want to ride the bike. I always ride defensively and I go out of my way to avoid confrontations with automobile drivers. But I will not let some confused, angry and ignorant people keep me from doing what I enjoy. Ignoring the fact that there are simple minded, people who are frightened, stressed out, hurried, bored and over-stimulated all at the same time, while behind the wheel of a car, is not wise either.

I also want to make it clear that, in my experience, drivers are much more courteous to riders in normal-ish clothing and with racks and bags on the bike than to riders dressed in racing strip. I have NEVER been harassed by motorists when touring, in fact the opposite is true- people are generally curious and very friendly…..or else they just ignore you because they think you are a little bit crazy.

The tactical flashlight as a means of self defense was meant as sort of a joke but if our goal is “Empowering the Bicycle Traveler” I feel I would be derelict not to address the very small chance of needing to defend oneself. I bought my pepper spray at the local Cop Shop and it is set to shoot a stream of spray. Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states but I don’t claim to know all the details of the legality of its use. I assume that in a legitimate self defense situation a person would be justified in using it. I also assume that simply riding up to a stopped car and spraying the person who just yelled at you would probably not be cool.

I don’t understand why we are so mean to each other. We get to drive our cars and go out on our bikes but we are still not satisfied. We feel the urge to fight with each other and mark our territory. Human nature I guess. Unfortunate, but I think one needs to be realistic.

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Advocacy/Awareness

New Theme

So….a couple of things:

……A new look for the site has been in the works for a while. While there has been no wailing to speak of, there has been some gnashing of teeth deciding how we want the site to look and how to organize it. And it’s still a long ways from finished, but we have the new theme installed! How do you like it so far?

…..This came yesterday:

unopened envelope
Ain’t no regular mail…..it’s “Royal Mail”

video box

This is a film Tom Allen made about his 12,000 mile bicycle odyssey. We bought the DVD and Tom sent us a complimentary download of the HD version for our screening in January. If you want to see it make sure you sign up for our newsletter because that’s where we will be announcing the screening date. Here’s a trailer:

….The Ace Hotel in Portland had Jordan Hufnagel make four bicycles which they rent to guests at the hotel. Pretty good reason to stay there!

Hufnagel Cycles for Ace Hotel Portland from Ace Hotel on Vimeo.

Thanks for visiting Bike Touring News! Over time the site will evolve and it should become easier to navigate so add the RSS feed to your feed reader or bookmark this page and keep up to date.

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Advocacy/Awareness

Bike Touring and Entitlement

The Path Less Pedaled made this video about how bike travel can help the economies of small town America.

Sounds good in theory but I wonder how it works out practically. There is not a large volume of people traveling by bicycle. I know the whole idea of advocacy is to get more people to do it, but it’s sort of like building a community; there needs to be enough “rooftops” before investments in infrastructure like shopping and services make sense. Or like mass transit; there needs to be a critical mass of users to make it viable. To get communities to invest in bicycle friendly amenities or to get them to promote bicycle travel may be putting the trailer in front of the bicycle, so to speak.

Personally, I would much rather ride a bike around town than drive a car. I can use the bike for almost anything I can do in a car. I have more fun too and I can feel superior to the poor slobs stuck in traffic. I also think traveling by bike and living more or less on my wits is a blast. Would I like to see more people doing it? Obviously it would be good for my business if more people were buying from me and if more people used their bikes around town there would be fewer cars to worry about, but those are pretty self-serving reasons.

At any rate, I think the best kind of advocacy is just to be out there on the bike as much as possible. In this country, using a bike for everyday routines is not exactly a mainstream activity. Utilitarian bikers in this country (except Portland) can be categorized roughly as:
-homeless
-court appointed commuters
-hipsters
-wacky hippies
When I spoke to Jobst Brandt (R.I.P.) a few years ago at Interbike and mentioned the excellent crazyguyonabike website he said he would not want to be associated as being a “crazy guy” just because he was using a bike. I think that is key. Until using bicycles is considered a normal, viable way to conduct daily business it will be a fringe activity.

Jobst Brandt on the Tenda Road, French Alps in 1989. From trentobike.org

There may be some downsides to more people traveling by bikes too.
One thing I worry about is the popularity of so called “stealth camping, a practice I’ve heard described as “hiding in the woods”. Camping is generally legal on Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land but when tourists start trespassing, and if they leave garbage and/or cause damage to property, then all the advocacy in the world will not repair the good will towards bike riders.

I try to remember that I am an ambassador for cycling every time I swing a leg over the top tube but I know I have probably not always represented the way I would like. In the October/November 2012 issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine there is a letter from a person who lives on the TransAmerica route and who has provided hospitality to cyclists for over a decade. This person is removing her home from the ACA map and from the Warmshowers site because of a trend for traveling cyclists to be rude and demanding and to have a feeling of entitlement. She says, “It used to be commonplace for the cyclists to notice that the property was a project in motion- stuff being built, painted or maintained in some way. Without exception I would be asked, ‘Is there anything I can do for you?’…….But it seems different these days. Out of the 115 who stayed so far this year, only three people offered to help” Ouch. She goes on to say that not only do people not offer to help but they leave trash strewn about and seem to take her hospitality for granted.

Sorry to be such a curmudgeon. I really like seeing people like Laura and Russ and like Velouria at Lovely Bicycle writing about and promoting bicycles and bicycle travel. And I truly would like to see more people using bicycles. I think it would go a long way to reducing the levels of anger, anxiety and stress we feel in our everyday lives.

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Advocacy/Awareness Podcasts

Use Your Bicycle!

Paul and Jim on couch
This was the studio for the Bike Hermit’s interview of Paul L. Paul is the handsome one.

On a recent overnight bicycle trip to Burgdorf Hot Springs I sat down with Paul to ask him about bike commuting…when he began, what logistical challenges he faced and about what he perceives as the benefits of riding a bike to work. We were “sponsored” on this trip by McCall Brewing Company in that they provided a keg of their Wobbily Man Smoked Scotch ale and we needed to finish the interview before things became too, shall we say, wobbly.

I read this thread the other day on bikeforums.net and there are some good replies to the original post. The one I try to remember most of the time is “Always ride like you are invisible to drivers”. Ride defensively, be predictable and assume drivers don’t see you. One exception to my rule about being predictable is a trick I learned from reading Grant Petersen’s book Just Ride . Before a car approaching from behind reaches you, do something erratic such as wobbling a little or a quick zig-zag. It’s amazing how that gets their attention and how wide of a berth they give when passing you.

With a little bit of planning and care, using a bike to get to work and to run daily errands can be enjoyable and rewarding. It can be a little nerve wracking in traffic, but statistically is still relatively safe as long as a person pays attention and follows some basic principals and local ordinances. Boise Street Smart Cycling is a great resource. I’m always interested in other tips and experiences…so please use the comments.

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Advocacy/Awareness

The Rights and Duties of Cyclists

90 percent of the Bike Hermit’s trips around town are made by bicycle. He doesn’t care if you ride your bike or not. He is not out to change the world or to save the environment. He just enjoys riding his bike and he truly thinks it’s just as quick and infinitely more convenient than driving an automobile. He doesn’t think there should be a “cycling community” any more than there should be a “motoring community”. Sometimes we are cyclists and sometimes we are motorists. The Bike Hermit thinks words can be divisive.

## END RANT ##

Notwithstanding the aforesaid, this post is about how to ride a bike. Not how to improve strength or stamina or speed, but how to safely ride a bike to work, to school, to the pub or to the grocery store. I know that the main barrier to people who might consider using a bicycle for some of their short trips is the fear of riding on the same road with cars and trucks and buses. Here are a couple of educational resources to check out:

The League of American Bicyclists has been in existence for well over one hundred years and their mission is;
To promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America..
Recently, while touring the forums over at bikeforums.net I rolled across this video which shows how a couple of League certified instructors navigate some of the challenges one can expect when using a bicycle in a designed for autos world.

In fact, according to the Boise Street Smart Cycling website;
–those who ride in a predictable and safe way will dramatically reduce their chances of ever experiencing a significant accident!

And while most people are concerned about a collision with a motor vehicle, that doesn’t happen very often – in fact, only 18% of cyclist falls have anything to do with a motor vehicle.
Boise Street Smart Cycling and the Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance provide education and work to raise awareness about the benefits of riding bicycles. In past years we have invited the TVCA to present their Street Smart Cycling course and the response was good. We are considering sponsoring another course in Boise. It will be in the evening of a to be determined date and will last two to three hours. The L.A.B. certified instructors at TVCA do a great job with these classes and even if you have been riding for decades, I almost guarantee you will learn something you can use. We would like to set this up soon and would like to get an idea of the amount of interest. If you have an interest in attending one of these courses, let us know in the comments.

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Advocacy/Awareness

Build It, Bike It, Be a Part of It

UGGR Rider
Photo from the Adventure Cycling website

From Adventure Cycling we received this email today:
Dear Member Club or Shop-

I’m writing today to invite you to help Adventure Cycling Association spread the word about our 3rd annual Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. fundraising campaign for the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). The campaign kicked off May 1, 2012 and runs through May 31. May is also National Bike Month, and what better way to celebrate than by supporting the creation of a national system of cycling routes?

Last year, we raised more than $32,000 for the project. This year, we’ve upped our fundraising goal significantly, hoping to raise $50,000 as well as spark excitement about the progress so far.

Here are the details:
The U.S. Bicycle Route System is a visionary project similar to the national and international cycling systems blossoming across the globe. Adventure Cycling is working with dozens of state agencies, national organizations, nonprofits, volunteers, and the U.S. Congress to realize this vision.

Here is what you can do right now: (If you do share this project, let me know and we will add a linked listing listing to your club or shop on our project page!)

I’m hoping that today and tomorrow you can help us get the word out about some cool offers for people who donate to our campaign in the next few days — these donations will also help us meet our matching challenge from TeamEstrogen.com, so donors will double their impact. Here’s the skinny:

We’ve raised over $4700 in 10 days, but we have a long way to go to make our $50,000 goal by the end of May.

Can you help us get the word out today about two special offers for anyone wishing to donate? Basically, anyone who donates $25 or more before Saturday, May 12 at 11:59 EST will be entered to win a Brooks B-17 Saddle. And, if they donate at least $50, they will receive a Walz cycling cap designed specifically for the campaign, while supplies last. If you would be willing to share this message on your blog or Facebook page today or tomorrow, that would be great!

Here’s sample text for you to use — feel free to edit to fit your style and voice:

Support the U.S. Bicycle Route System & Win
Here’s a chance to help the future of cycling in America and an opportunity to win some great prizes.

For the month of May, Adventure Cycling Association is conducting its 3rd annual Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. fundraiser to raise money and support for the implementation of the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). This national network of bicycle routes will help people travel short and long distances by bike.

Donate $25 or more before Saturday, May 12 at 11:59 EST, and you will be entered to win a Brooks B-17 Saddle. And, if you donate at least $50, you will receive a Walz cycling cap designed specifically for the campaign, while supplies last. Better yet, you’ll also be directly impacting the future of bicycling in America.

Adventure Cycling still has $2,230 to go before they meet this week’s fundraising challenge from TeamEstrogen.com. So, when you donate you’ll double your impact!

Please donate today.

Adventure Cycling is offering many more prizes and fundraising challenges throughout the campaign. To keep track of these offers and to support the project: like the U.S. Bicycle Route System on Facebook or follow it on Twitter, or learn about other ways to get involved.

Adventure Cycling is a great organization – they promote and facilitate riding and using bicycles. And they do it in many ways. Their maps are indispensable to anybody considering an extended tour in the US. Check out the Adventure Cycling site and, if you can, donate to this worthy cause.

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Advocacy/Awareness

Intersection


This is a picture from Google Maps of an intersection I deal with on my bicycle almost daily . The two left lanes are left turn only and the next lane is for through traffic. The far right lane is right turn only.
Here’s another view coming up to the intersection in my car as I’m looking for stupid bicyclers to run over.

There is a sidewalk on the right with a “Push To Cross” button. The street we are crossing is one of the busiest in Idaho- 6 lanes.
So, how does one approach this intersection when on a bicycle and intending to continue straight across the 6 lane street? Most bicyclers I see will take to the sidewalk and push the button and wait for the light before crossing in the pedestrian walk. But click on the next picture in order to enlarge it and you can see the pick-up truck in the right lane beginning his right turn. That driver is not expecting, nor is he looking for, a person on a bicycle suddenly appearing in the crosswalk.

As I approach this intersection on the bike, I signal my intention and I ride on the right hand side of the through traffic lane, with the right turn lane to my right. If there are only two or three cars at the red light waiting to cross I will ride past them and stop in front of them (but still off to the right side of the lane) to wait for the light. The drivers see me and they know what I am going to do. I’m going to cross the street when the light turns green.

By being deliberate in my movements and signaling my intentions, using common sense and knowing my rights I usually feel pretty safe on the streets. And, in my experience a person on a loaded touring bike will generally get more respect and will be given more room by motorists. Probably because they think we are crazy and/or homeless and they feel sorry for us.

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Advocacy/Awareness Podcasts Touring Bicycles

Craig Calfee and Bamboosero at NAHBS

I caught up with Craig Calfee before the waste encountered the air handling device on the second morning of NAHBS 2012 in Sacramento. One of the pioneers of the use of bamboo for bicycle frames Mr. Calfee uses bamboo sourced in Africa and the tubes are joined by laying up sheets made of local tree bark with resin, similar to fiberglass or carbon fiber.

The Bamboosero bamboo touring bicycle.


A very clever integrated kick stand and enclosed chaincase.

This is the material used in the joint or lug construction process. It comes from African tree bark

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Advocacy/Awareness

UGRR

” ….mixing with people is wonderfully appropriate. So are visits to foreign lands……..mainly learning of the humours of those peoples and of their manners, and knocking off our corners by rubbing our brains against other people’s.” –  Montaigne

Traveling by bicycle puts one literally at the ground level. We are subject to all of nature’s whims and to the topography. And we have no choice but to be exposed to and sometimes to participate in “the humours of those peoples and of their manners”.  We are not floating in a four wheel, air-conditioned capsule watching the scenery as if it is on TV. Sometimes when “bike touring” is mentioned I wonder if the vision that comes to mind is one of purple mountains majesty or amber waves of grain. That’s why when the Adventure Cycling Association announced the new Detroit Alternate to the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route I was immediately intrigued. A trip by bicycle through the deep south and the heart of the rustbelt might be a sure way to knock off some corners!

 

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Advocacy/Awareness Living Vicariously

Bicycle Traveler Magazine

Sept 2011 Bicycle Traveler coverIn October of last year (2011 that is. I know it’s over 3 months ago) We received an email from Grace Johnson who is publishing an online bike touring magazine called Bicycle Traveler. She sent the following about the September, 2011 issue:

About Bicycle Traveler magazine:

Bicycle Traveler is a free international magazine on bicycle touring. It’s full of entertaining stories and inspiring photography which will have you dreaming over new destinations, as well as information over cycling gear.

In this issue:

Articles in issue #1 September 2011 include Checkposts & Magic Letters Long distance cyclists Hiromu and Peter Gostelow cross into the Central African Republic. Riding high in the Dolomites the Cycling Gypsies pedal over Italy’s Passo Giau with the help of their dogs Paco and Jack plus Tibet a photo story inspiring photos from Nathalie Pellegrinelli as well the short stories Small town America and the Hungry Cyclist.

The magazine contains no advertisements and can be downloaded for free at the bicycletraveler website
Their plan is to publish an issue 3 times per year in January, May and September. That means a new one will be coming out soon, so go to the site and download a copy and sign up to be notified when the new one comes out. Could be good reading while dreaming about your 2012 tour plans.