I assisted with a bike commuter training class today at Bikestation. It was a fun experience. The students were a group of women that were part of a program to train them in non-traditional workplaces (hazmat, construction, railroad, etc.,) Part of the program dealt with mobility. Many of them didn't have cars, so the program was to teach them to use the bicycle as a means of transportation.
The first half was classroom stuff. What a bicycle is in the eyes of the law. Rights as a bicyclist. Common traffic scenarios.
The second half was more hands on. How to fix a flat, adjust brakes, fix your chain when it gets derailed, use the bike racks on the bus, etc.,
The all day session ended with a nice 6 mile bike ride through Long Beach. Half of it was on the bike path, the other half in some light traffic.
From the look on their faces everyone had a great time and I think a few of them rediscovered the simple joy of being on a bike. Hopefuly, a few will actually try it out in their daily practice.
Showing posts with label bike commuting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bike commuting. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Espresso and Blinkies
Another day of errands. Helped a friend, also car free, move an espresso maker across town with the Xtracycle. When I ride in lots of main streets I'll usually turn on my Dinotte tail light. The Dinotte is the ultimate commuter blinky. For its princely sum of just over $100 it delivers the brightest, skull numbing red flash of light you will ever look at. I run it on the road during the day and cars give me a wider berth.
It's that bright.
The downside is the mounting sucks. The only thing holding it to your bike is an O-ring. It is also eats batteries for breakfast. However, if you absolutely positively want to be seen and also want to temporarily blind people behind you, this is the light for you.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Bikecommuters.com
I did an e-interview with the folks at BikeCommuters.com. If you've never been, it's a great site run by bike commuters. Some good practical advice, equipment reviews and observations on being a utilitarian cyclist. If you need some more inspiration to hit the road, definitely check out the site.
The site also posted some pics of my Xtracycle with advertising, which I don't think I've mentioned on this blog yet. So here it is...
The site also posted some pics of my Xtracycle with advertising, which I don't think I've mentioned on this blog yet. So here it is...
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Bike Commuting? Lost your license?
Bike commuting in Los Angeles isn't the easiest thing to do. Beyond the limitations of the car-centric infrastructure, there's a great cultural bias against bikes. I remember when I first started commuting by bike, people would say to me with a knowing smile, "So you got a DUI? I feel you man."
When I tried to explain that I was doing it by choice, they'd either think I was trying to play off the DUI or that I was crazy. Often when I shoot events or work for some clients they will offer to validate my parking. I tell them I'm coming by bike, they ask me if I mean my motorcycle. When I tell them, "No, a bicycle," there's a strange silence followed with, " You mean the one with pedals?"
Yes, the one with pedals.
If you listen carefully at most meetings, parties or gatherings of more than three people, the first five minutes are usually devoted to parking woes and traffic problems. No joke. The ebb and flow of traffic is so integrated into our daily lives that it has become part of our language.
For example, few things strike such an emotional chord to most Angelenos as the three numbers 405.
405. Say it. Bring it up at any party and it will illicit looks of scorn. If you're late to class, a meeting, wedding, funneral or even the birth of your own firstborn, all you have to say is, "405" and all will be forgiven.
It is no wonder then that when I explain I arrived by bicycle I get such incredulous looks, as if to say, "Bikes? They have those here?"
Yes they do.
When I first decided to try commuting by bike I relied heavily on the internet as I had no one to model myself after, no one to ask what a good bike for commuting was? how do you put on a rack? how do you pronounce pannier? what is a pannier?
So for those of you that would like to brave the big bad world of bike commuting, I offer you these links to get you started and to find a community of other strange souls.
www.bikeforums.net
www.bikecommuters.com
www.bikeportland.org
www.cicle.org
www.commutebybike.com
When I tried to explain that I was doing it by choice, they'd either think I was trying to play off the DUI or that I was crazy. Often when I shoot events or work for some clients they will offer to validate my parking. I tell them I'm coming by bike, they ask me if I mean my motorcycle. When I tell them, "No, a bicycle," there's a strange silence followed with, " You mean the one with pedals?"
Yes, the one with pedals.
If you listen carefully at most meetings, parties or gatherings of more than three people, the first five minutes are usually devoted to parking woes and traffic problems. No joke. The ebb and flow of traffic is so integrated into our daily lives that it has become part of our language.
For example, few things strike such an emotional chord to most Angelenos as the three numbers 405.
405. Say it. Bring it up at any party and it will illicit looks of scorn. If you're late to class, a meeting, wedding, funneral or even the birth of your own firstborn, all you have to say is, "405" and all will be forgiven.
It is no wonder then that when I explain I arrived by bicycle I get such incredulous looks, as if to say, "Bikes? They have those here?"
Yes they do.
When I first decided to try commuting by bike I relied heavily on the internet as I had no one to model myself after, no one to ask what a good bike for commuting was? how do you put on a rack? how do you pronounce pannier? what is a pannier?
So for those of you that would like to brave the big bad world of bike commuting, I offer you these links to get you started and to find a community of other strange souls.
www.bikeforums.net
www.bikecommuters.com
www.bikeportland.org
www.cicle.org
www.commutebybike.com
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