The Monday Roundup

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow.
Time to show some bike love.
(Photo: Will Vanlue/BikePortland)

Here’s the news that caught our eyes this past week…

– After all the drama over the beleaguered House transportation bill last week, Republicans begin this week with the task of steering the bill away from an impending cliff.

– Sports icon Lance Armstrong, 40, has returned to triathlon. He placed second in an Ironman competition in Panama, just 37 seconds out of first place.

– The New Zealand Medical Journal has concluded hours cycled per capita in their county dropped 51 percent after mandatory helmet laws went into effect. A spokesman for the Cycling Advocates’ Network feels the law “does more harm than good.”

– A straightforward road diet plan in Birmingham, MI faces resistance: “I don’t object to bike paths,” one resident tells a local paper, “I like them, but my common sense tells me you shouldn’t put them on a major thoroughfare going through the city.” Sound familiar?

– Lawmakers in Illinois have introduced a bill that would extend the texting-while-driving ban to people operating pedal-powered vehicles. Many support the bill but some opponents feel the law is unnecessary.

– Recently formed advocacy group Women on Bikes SoCal has kicked off a campaign in Long Beach, California to double the number of women and girls on bicycles.

– There are plenty of ways to “make public transit awesome” including things as simple as “a place to lock up your bike.”

– The southern California city of Pomona is considering opening their streets solely to human-powered transportation for an event similar to Portland’s Sunday Parkways.

– A building in Ohio which originally housed the Wright brothers’ bicycle shop has fallen into disrepair and, after being deemed “a public nuisance,” it may be torn down.

– The Federation Of Tiny Small Industries of India (FOTSII) is pushing to increase the minimum floor price on Chinese bicycles and components to help them compete with inexpensive imports.

– The City of Hillsboro approved plans for a high-density housing complex at NW Cornell Road and John Olsen Avenue. Development in the area will come along with improvements to the transportation network, likely including new facilities for people on bicycles.

– Bike moves aren’t exclusively a Portland phenomenon; they’re also gaining momentum in Hartford, Connecticut.

Discovery World, a science and technology museum in Wisconsin, will be home to Pedal Power: A Week-Long Exploration of Bicycling in April. The exhibit will feature bicycle-centric films, hands-on workshops, and other demonstrations.

Sharrows have come to Clarksville, Tennessee.

– Houston, Texas may not be the first place you think of when you hear the words “bike to work” but the city is seeing more and more people commute by bike.

– A new bike helmet design, which looks like it was designed by Tony Stark, folds down small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

– An artist from Brazil covered a bicycle in wicker to create a symbol “of a fuel-less transport system and meticulous craftsmanship.”

– In the spirit of Valentines day, The Eugene Bicyclist imagines a conversation between himself and a 15-tooth cog looking for some love.

– Remember tomorrow there’s no better way to show your love than helping your “sweety” with a flat or stopping on a ride for a quick kiss.

Did you find something interesting that should be in next week’s Monday Roundup? Drop us a line.

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Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson
12 years ago

Because if there’s one thing Washington County needs, it’s more expensive housing instead of something affordable.

sorebore
sorebore
12 years ago

Lance was an ass as a junior in Texas, when I was 22 years old. Watching him at races always brought laughter to my racing friends despite his obvious talent. He is still an ass today. He was an embarrassment in Europe as a Neo-Pro @ the Worlds banquet, and he will never be a hero for me. No Class Ass.

9watts
9watts
12 years ago
Reply to  sorebore

FWIW, his autobiography bears this out. Not sure why I read it – bored, I guess.

davemess
davemess
12 years ago
Reply to  9watts

while we’re on the anti-Lance kick, there was a great article in Outside mag. last month about Livestrong. Check it out.

Joe Rowe
Joe Rowe
12 years ago
Reply to  sorebore

Hey Jonathan. Can you explain
a) why this was approved by your moderation?

b) why you call my postings offensive? I pointed out that Dan Anderson is good at his city of Portland PR job. He puts a spin on messages. He turns a message about bikes being hit by cars and spins it around to note that a few bikes don’t yield to pedestrians. While both are true, the spin is worth noting.

Jack
Jack
12 years ago

Federation of Tiny Small Industries of India

Really?

K'Tesh
K'Tesh
12 years ago

Photos from The Worst Day of the Year Ride are up…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ufobike/sets/72157629293338927/

dwainedibbly
dwainedibbly
12 years ago
Reply to  K'Tesh
Paul
Paul
12 years ago

I lived in Clarksville, TN with my brother a few years ago when he was based at Ft. Campbell. Sprawl city! Heck, they don’t even have sidewalks. That place has a looooooong way to go before it becomes anything resembling a bike, pedestrian or transit friendly city.

Ben Guernsey
Ben Guernsey
12 years ago

Yeah LaHood!

(From the first article above)
“Democrats have noted that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has scathingly criticized the legislation, reportedly describing it as “the worst transportation bill [he’s] ever seen during 35 years in public service.””

Atbman
12 years ago

Just one small, technical point: LA was competing in a half Ironman

Jazmyn
Jazmyn
12 years ago

I submitted something to the Monday roundup but not only was it not included, I didn’t get a response so I don’t know why. Still, I thought it was cool so I’ll post it here http://road.cc/content/news/52423-paris-gives-green-light-trial-scheme-allow-red-light-jumping-cyclists

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3314892.ece

9watts
9watts
12 years ago
Reply to  Jazmyn