Fuck Gas

Unite Bike is an effort to to support and promote bicycle riding in your city. The idea behind it is to mark a time (5pm, October 3, 2010) and place (your city) for as many bicyclists to meet up and have a group picture taken. I would assume shortly after all the cities pictures will be posted at UniteBike.com for the world to see and revel the solidarity of bicycle riding, left winged hippy bastards the world around. Cheesy, yes, but the more awareness the better right? And why not, all the more that brings all of us douche bag bike riders together a bit more and say hello. Speaking of which, don’t be scared to wave to one another while pedaling your go-green ass around…

Take a second to RSVP to an event in your city or if your city isn’t listed, get in touch with UniteBike.com and they’ll be happy to add it.

One Mom, Two Kids, No Car is Ali’s blog detailing her self imposed challenge to go car-free in a town south of Ontario. Ali, in her own words “is a single mom of two, a university student, not super fit and kind of lazy and disorganize…” Her original plan was to give it a shot through July, but I’m guessing that went well enough for her to extend through August. With September coming up, so is school and this is where she expects chaos to ensue. Hopefully she can manage and keep up the good work. Check out her blog and give her some support. Thanks to the Xtracycle twitter for the heads up.

D.C. marked contraflow bike lanes along two blocks of New Hampshire Avenue a few days ago. I would assume bike lane advocates can’t even be stoked on this one. This is completely counter productive in working towards any kind of bikes are traffic mindset which, in my opinion, is the only logical thing that is going to make the streets any safer. As well, check out the diagram below and Greater Greater Washington for an overview of the debacle.

Alright, I know I’ve just been doing a shit ton of blog regurgitation lately, but I’m riding a lot and busy as hell at the shop so I don’t have a ton of time these days. This one I first caught wind of by Cricket Press’s Facebook post. Anyone that has spent any amount of time riding their bicycle with the flow of traffic is likely well aware of the dreaded right hook. You know, when that impatient motorist jumps around you to the left only to immediately take a right turn directly in front of you. Lexington’s North of Center Transportation Czar, Captain Comannokers put this together. While I don’t agree with all the suggestions made in the piece, it’s still a good read so check it.

“The Right Hook“

The Gaurdian’s Helen Pidd gives London’s new bike rental program a pedal. Not sure what the weight has to do with anything… as Boris the Blade says, “is a sign of reliability. If it doesn’t work, you can always hit them with it…”

Thanks to David Morris from CART for making me aware of this one…

From yesterdays Huffington Post:

“Attention on the A40,” a radio traffic report warned. “There is a 60-kilometer (37-mile) closure between Duisburg and Dortmund due to the longest table in the world.”

A 37 mile section of the world famous Autobahn was closed down for cultural celebration titled “Still Life.” Approximately 3 million people, 1 million of which on bikes, turned out to mosey about on the closed down highway with thousands enjoying the 20,000 individual tables lined up between Dortmund and Bochum, in western Germany. Keep in mind this is generally the most highly traveled highway in Europe.

The bottom line here I think is that give the public a space to gather that is free of automobile traffic and they will use it. Granted the thought of wandering around on the busiest highway in Europe, be it by bicycle or on foot, is a huge incentive, but still. What is america the leader in again? I just can’t imagine anything near this ever happening around here, hopefully someone proves me wrong. I’m getting to where I seriously enjoy my cynicism coming back and biting me in the ass.

Check out the full Huffinton Post article here and stay up to date with all things CART in KY here.

Stop Injustice: 5 Weeks For Freedom from International Justice Mission on Vimeo.

Thanks to Justin at U of L for the heads up on this one…

5 Weeks for Freedom is an awareness and advocacy campaign covering 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad to support International Justice Mission’s work and give a voice to victims of modern-day slavery and other forms of injustice. Saturday, July 17 the riders will roll into Louisville for some live music, an exhibit of local artists, screenings of IJM’s documentary At the End of Slavery and more.

The event happens at the Muhammad Ali Center (144 North 6th Street) from 10:30am to 3:30pm. Also, be sure to check out 5WeeksforFreedom.org for more info.

In Louisville’s never ending efforts to alienate pedestrians, the goons behind construction efforts down at the great whale of an arena have recently taken over all sidewalk space on the north side of Main Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets with some old fashioned fencing and the ever handsome longitudinal channeling devices. There is really no safe pedestrian channeling going on at the site, with pedestrians even walking through the live construction zone. For whatever reason Louisville, KY seems to be the only city in america that can’t seem to stick to the idea of keeping the people traffic moving smoothly during construction. In a hope to curb yet another safety hazard for Louisville’s pedestrians CART has planned for another sidewalk protest this Friday, July 9 from noon - 12:45 at the corner of 2nd and Main Streets. Just look for the chicken.

Facebook pager here.

Great little cartoon that came from none other that Copenhagenize, while I first found it here thanks to Ben. Where else would you expect it? I have recently eschewed the helmet and it’s quite lovely if I do say so myself. It’s always been an issue I’ve struggled with and finally decided fuck it.The article is a really good one citing some intersting figures in regards to helmet safety as it were. Give it a read.

If you read my lashing of Boxcycles yesterday, make sure to check out the comments from the post as Will from Boxcycles pretty much set me straight on their mission and what they’re working at. All in all it makes perfect sense and I truly do wish Will and the company the best of luck. When you get to the bottom of it, it’s probably just mere angst that these beautiful and useful bicycles will probably never see the light of day in Louisville, KY. However, I have been known to be wrong a time or two before so who knows…

The Ride of Silence happens tonight. Louisville’s ride leaves from the corner of Witherspoon and Brook Streets promptly at 7pm. You are asked to wear a helmet. To find a ride in your area go to RideofSilence.org and check under event locations on the left.