Here’s the news that caught our eye this week:
– In Eugene, Oregon, the city is evaluating the expansion of its Urban Growth Boundary as developers seek to increase sprawl.
– Car registration numbers are decreasing across Oregon.
– The CEO of Lloyds of London warns investors that the world is staring down a “period of deep uncertainty” over the decline of fossil fuels.
– U.S. auto industry representatives say that the industry is rebounding, thanks to ample support from the federal government.
– One of the founders of a major bicycle components company is promoting bicycle-oriented development in Sri Lanka and Zambia by building and selling affordable, location-appropriate bicycles and setting up the infrastructure to maintain them.
– In Manhattan, parking garages are now required to install bike parking; but are allowed to charge market rates for would-be bike parkers, which can add up to $200 per month.
– In Seattle, church parking lots could be the next urban homesteads, providing urban density, homes for people who have none, and, like food carts, alternative uses for auto infrastructure.
– In Pittsburgh, another radio DJ is called out for advocating violence against people riding bikes.
– In Brussels, Belgium, 50 riders turned out for the World Naked Bike Ride, braving cold and rain and unfriendly authorities.
– Volvo is promoting a line of childrens’ bike helmets; critics claim “bikewashing.”
– One way to go carfree that doesn’t get touted much: Passengerism. There’s no shame in that way of life, says one Canadian.
– And finally: is it time to take off your bicycle fenders yet? This handy chart helps you decide.
Thanks for reading.
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“- In Eugene, Oregon, the city is evaluating the expansion of its Urban Growth Boundary as developers seek to increase sprawl.” blue/monday roundup
I agree that sprawl is likely to be the result of expanding the urban growth boundary, but rather doubt that’s what developers seek by the expansion of it.
From the volvo helmet article:
“…Ironically, in Volvo’s Swedish homeland, latest research by the VTI (the National Road and Transport Insitute) suggests the number of cyclists aged six to 15 halved between 1988 and 2008 – perhaps in part due to helmet wearing being compulsory for under-15s. …” bikeradar.com/Volvo promotes cycle helmets for children
By Richard Peace
Perhaps… . O.k., how big a part might required helmet wear have resulted in the reported reduction? How could that supposition be definitively confirmed? Perhaps other factors were responsible for the Swedish National Road and Transport Insitute’s findings. At any rate, as for color, those helmets look great, but unless they have means for ventilation other than the helmet’s shell, they look as though they’d be hot.
It has never occurred to me that I might want to take my fenders off!
Do you have an opinion on the Holgate Boulevard Bike Lanes?
http://ilovelents.com/?p=533
There will be plenty of people saying the bike lanes killed their business at Tuesday’s meeting. Without support from the cycling community, it’s hard to justify keeping them.
FYI, the latest innovation in distracted driving being considered by the California legislature: ad-blaring license plates!
“The device would mimic a standard license plate when the vehicle is in motion but would switch to digital ads or other messages when it is stopped for more than four seconds, whether in traffic or at a red light.”
The article also notes the Legislature is considering a bill that “would extend the state’s handsfree requirements for drivers to bicyclists.” Because it’s not safe to talk on the phone when you’re too busy looking at all the ads on the license plates.
“It has never occurred to me that I might want to take my fenders off!”
Yeah, don’t fenders make your bike more aerodynamic? Plus, they keep water off of you. Plus, they are a major hassle to put back on after only ~two months. Maybe if I had a strictly “play” bike I would never put them on in the first place.
Nevertheless, the flow chart is awesome. Reminds me of the career decision flow chart where all paths lead to McDonald’s…
I’d like to be able to buy a couple of acres in the country. 5 or more would be better. I could have a garden and ensure a steady supply of food that I knew was healthy. BUT NO, that is no longer an option in Porkland, except for wealthy folks as I’m sure you have noticed as you ride out skyline drive, or to the top of Jackson School (or is it Jackson Quarry), and out Helvetia Road, etc, etc, etc.
We can cut our oil use in half in one day if we HAVE TO by carpooling.
Motorbikes, although they get fair mileage, put out a LOT of stinky fumes. PU!!
KA BOOM!!! went the population bomb……