The Monday Roundup

Can you find the streetcar tracks
on this crash map?
(Screenshot of BikeWise.org
by Seattle Bike Blog)

Here’s the news and other cool stuff that caught our eyes this past week…

– Bandon, Oregon is home to a new bike shop, South Coast Bicycles, owned by two-time national cycling champion Karl Maxon.

– We love this “Cycles of Life” comic by Grant Snider as found on his Incidental Comics site.

– A man has been acquitted of charges he struck an elderly person with his bicycle after it was determined police mistook him for another person in a Giants jersey one game-day in September of 2011.

– A recent U.S Supreme Court ruling supports strip-searches of people who commit minor offenses, including “riding a bicycle without an audible bell.”

– A guest article in Bicycle Times tackles a concerning and often-overlooked fact: there’s been virtually no growth in the “cycling industry” over the last two decades.

– Portland’s own Hopworks BikeBar came in at the top the San Francisco Chronicle‘s list of “hot spots for bicyclists” (and did you know Williams Ave was a “bike highway?”).

– This past weekend the University of Oregon hosted the pedal-powered Bike Music Fest.

– Also in Eugene, The Register-Guard takes a tour of one of Oregon’s latest designated scenic bikeways.

– Attorneys for the City of Seattle admitted the city knowingly built streetcar tracks that are dangerous for people riding bicycles.

– The City of Sacramento, CA is embarking on a 3-week trial of a “new concept in bicycle paring” by installing its first bike corral.

– Pedal-powered ice cream manufacture Peddler’s Creamery will both make and deliver ice cream by bicycle to residents within 10 miles of downtown Los Angeles beginning in July.

– New York City is preparing to increase the fine for people who ride a bicycle on the sidewalk, including implementing fines for bicycle delivery riders’ employers.

– New bike lanes in Philadelphia will now require approval from the City Council if they impact motor vehicle parking or travel lanes.

– According to the Wall Street Journal, Brooklyn’s City Council Member David Greenfield is pushing legislation that would require adult riders to wear a helmet in New York City.

An exemption to Australia’s mandatory bicycle helmet law is considered as one possible step to breathe life into Melbourne and Brisbane’s meager bike share systems.

– Students in Westlake, OH rode over 26,673 miles during May’s Bike to School Challenge.

– New York State’s Senate recently passed legislation strengthening the consequences for people who flee the scene of a car crash.

– The Netherlands saw yet another reduction in traffic fatalities from 2009 to 2010, continuing a consistent downward trend that began in the mid-1970s.

Bike sharing has created a bicycle boom in Rio de Janeiro, despite the city’s notoriously car-centric culture.

– A swarm of bees temporarily set up shop on a bike’s front basket in one British town center.

Mental Floss takes a look at a number of unique pedal-powered machines, including a forkless cruiser.

– Speaking of freak bikes, check out this 11-foot tall bike built by Felix Girola of Havana, Cuba (he’s got an 18-footer in the works too).

– Curious about how London’s bike share system works? Check out this video tutorial of Barclay’s Cycle Hire system:

– And finally, here’s a time-lapse video, shot on 8mm film, of a bike ride through Vancouver, B.C. in 1974:


— Did you find something interesting that should be in next week’s Monday Roundup? Drop us a line. For more great links from around the web, follow us on Twitter @BikePortland.

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MelissatheRagamuffin
MelissatheRagamuffin
11 years ago

No growth in the bicycle industry? It makes a certain amount of sense considering you don’t have to replace your bike every so many years like you do with a car. If you buy a good one, it lasts indefinitely.

9watts
9watts
11 years ago

Man was that (no growth in the bike industry article) a grumpy tirade. The author could use a thicker epidermis.
I think it is yet another example of the economistic bias in our society. Growth in an industry is not (should not in my opinion be) a goal in itself, but is an indicator of something–usually of unsustainability. Growth isn’t per se good or beneficial. If all of us manage to bike and get around without ‘growth in the industry’ I say so much the better. I would not have guessed that it is so, but since growth as such is not going to last, I’m not going to lose sleep over the fact.

Perhaps the lack of growth (read gross receipts?) she observes has something to do with outsourcing the production of bikes to low wage countries?

Ian
Ian
11 years ago
Reply to  9watts

Generally I agree with you. However, growth in this case would suggest that more people are taking up cycling. Her article was concerning the ways in which cycling is made inaccessible (or less appealing) by the cycling industry and culture, and posited that perhaps if these issues were addressed we might see more people cycling and corresponding growth in that segment of the market.

9watts
9watts
11 years ago
Reply to  Ian

I agree that (new) bikes could be made/sold/marketed differently in the US; that utility could be higher on the list of priorities, etc. But in my reading of her screed she conflates so many gripes that are only tenuously linked to ‘growth in the industry’ that I wasn’t persuaded by her argument.

It would be interesting to compare the US experience (industry sales/growth, as well as the marketing priorities she’s so exercised about) with other countries. Perhaps the causality she presents isn’t the last word on the subject?

Since we are under the impression that more people are/have been taking up cycling here in the US all the while, not to mention in other countries, there’s obviously more to the story, to the growth in industry vs. popularity of cycling relationship than she (the industry insider) is letting on, or is herself aware of.

Ian
Ian
11 years ago
Reply to  9watts

I don’t think her argument was very persuasive either, I just wanted to point out that the focus was not growth for growth’s sake.

oskarbaanks
oskarbaanks
11 years ago
Reply to  9watts

Yes, like people are FINALLY using bicycle that have been in quiet slumber, and are being utilized at the need of expense. Cash flow out on new trade means little, I would think. You are correct to question all the factors. And I agree with you 9w, it was a screed, to be sure.

Ben Guernsey
Ben Guernsey
11 years ago
Reply to  9watts

Well if anything I would the large amount of outsourcing should increase the amount of profits from large companies (Specialized/Trek/Etc). But it seems to be pointing out dollars spent overall is flatlined.

I do like the overall point of the article, that rather than soley marketing to fanatical converts of cycling the industry should spend more to appease the city (or comfort) cyclists and women cyclists. However this goes against what has worked in the past, and the companies who seem to market in that realm don’t seem to be making fistfuls of cash either. I get the author’s point but it’s hard to stock and market to a group that has historically not bought enough to keep them in business.

9watts
9watts
11 years ago
Reply to  Ben Guernsey

Bicycling is not in my view an activity or transport choice that inherently requires markets, economic growth, and the other things the author is keen on finding/reviving. Bicycling is in some key respects unlike cars or ipads or running shoes. You can do it without checking in with the ‘economy’ on a regular basis. Brake pads and tires and some chain lube are about it, once you’ve got yourself a decent setup. The last time I bought a new bike was in 1987. It is the bike I ride today.

The obsolescence that characterizes much of our industrial output these days isn’t something that bikes/bike shops/the industry (or we) need to participate in.

The other day someone advertised a bike on Portland’s Craigslist from the 1890s or thereabouts. Amazing, but not I think at odds with my larger point here. Biking doesn’t need economic growth to be viable and vibrant. Lamenting its absence at this point in our history is I think a mistake.

Ben Guernsey
Ben Guernsey
11 years ago
Reply to  Ben Guernsey

9 watts, I do partially agree. The double edged sword is some people get into cycling because it is financially cheaper but then the bike industry wants profits. In some way I feel to be taken seriously cycling needs to show the dollars and cents. For anyone to invest in infrastructure it has to look good on paper beyond just environmental and health benefits.

On another note, I was just thinking Rapha is pretty much doing this exact the author talks about. By not making everyone look like a sponsor-covered-lycra-sausage, having quite a few women’s options, and seems to be doing well for themselves. Don’t see anyone championing this approach in the bike parts business very well, it is all still very geeky.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
11 years ago

…and if you think about it, since the late 80s most bikes that have been sold are really great and can be great transportation with periodic parts replacement vs the previous generations. Kinda like cars now. That 1983 Honda daily driver drives better after 20 years than a 20 year old 1963 Honda / Ford etc.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
11 years ago
Reply to  Todd Boulanger

…so there is less reason to replace and now longer replacement life cycles.

Smitty
Smitty
11 years ago

Sounds like I better get a bell for my bike.

No Shame
No Shame
11 years ago
Reply to  Smitty
GlowBoy
GlowBoy
11 years ago
Reply to  Smitty

No need to hurry in getting a bell for your bike. It’s not required in Oregon. Although you are required to give an “audible alert” when overtaking a pedestrian on a sidewalk or MUP, your voice meets the legal requirement just fine and you do not need to have a bell.

There are plenty of other minor violations for which you could be strip-searched, though, whether cycling or driving (Washington’s litter-bag requirement comes to mind), so SCOTUS says you’re still at risk pretty much anytime you’re out in public.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
11 years ago
Reply to  GlowBoy

How about a requirement for pedestrians, joggers and runners not to have their hearing blocked by ear buds or headphones with the music too loud to hear a warning from a cyclist?
My legal test for this is a police officer trying to get someone’s attention verbally. Either they are legally deaf or ticketed for being a road, sidewalk or MUP hazard.
If you want to isolate your senses from the entire world don’t do it on a public ROW.

She
She
11 years ago

The South Coast Bike shop link is for a shop in MA not OR…

Scott
Scott
11 years ago

Wrong link for the South Coast bicycles shop Jonathan.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
11 years ago

As for no growth in the cycling industry…I wonder how much of this flat lining has been absorbed by currency rate game / labour savings re exporting the bulk of production to the next new manufacturing spot: 1980s USA to Japan, 1990s Japan to Taiwan, 2000s Taiwan to China…

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
11 years ago
Reply to  Todd Boulanger

…it seems like I am always paying about the same cost for a name brand item when production is exported: my USA made Vista light LED flasher was $12(?) and then $12 when made in China in the early 90s. This first Vistalight replaced a big 1980s USA made halogen flasher that was about $12 and then a 2003 Planet Bike LED lamp $13. Now prices have diverged due to cheaper down market LED lIghts and higher cost upmarket super flash units. The latter product’s innovation (more feature/ brighter) has captured more of my $ vs less on what is now a mature product.

oskarbaanks
oskarbaanks
11 years ago
Reply to  Todd Boulanger

My 1982 PY14- Peugeot was about $1100 retail . I also had a Motobecane Pro-Light in 85′ that was about $999 with my shop employee discount. A 2012 Surly Pacer is what, like $1300 ? Hand made lugged frame set 1980 vs 2012 robot tig welded Model A every-man bike. I wont comment on the Bicycle Times editorial though.

9watts
9watts
11 years ago
Reply to  oskarbaanks

Using the CPI inflation calculator, your 1982 bike in today’s $ = $2,622O
Or running the calculation backwards, the Surly would have cost $545 new in 1982 dollars.

oskarbaanks
oskarbaanks
11 years ago
Reply to  9watts

interesting number, 9w. thanks.

oskarbaanks
oskarbaanks
11 years ago
Reply to  9watts

But at the same time my wages were $7.90 an hour at the time and minimum wage was $3.35. My rent was %160 a month on a one bedroom apt. in Houston, but that could still get you a 2dr. house in parts of St. Louis, Chicago or Kansas City. When all we make in the U.S. anymore related to bicycles are Chris King components and the like, along with boutique custom frames, it is telling. We are paying for company’s to keep manufacturing out of the U.S. In a side note to the documentary ” Bombhunters” by local PSU prof. Patti Duncan and Skye Fitzgerald, 60-80% of reclaimed material in Taiwanese imports are from Allied and U.S. bombs dropped on Cambodia. I think this is more than an ironic coincidence.

Bill
Bill
11 years ago

This link is bad:

– Also in Eugene, The Register-Guard takes a tour of one of Oregon’s latest designated scenic bikeways.

–Bill

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
11 years ago

The bike planner geek in me would love to see the non time lapsed footage of that 1970s Vancouver ride. Even better would be to have a video of the same route now shown side by side (like streetview over google map). There has been a lot of streetscaping and bike enhancements completed in 2 generations – from the portions I recognize.

John Lascurettes
11 years ago
Reply to  Todd Boulanger

Loved the end title of the video:
Volkswagon Beetles: 71
SUVs: 0

Jonathan Gordon
Jonathan Gordon
11 years ago

Here’s NYC’s Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson’s awesome response to the proposed helmet ban:

http://transportationnation.org/2012/05/31/nyc-deputy-mayor-bike-lanes-not-mandatory-helmet-laws-save-lives/

oskarbaanks
oskarbaanks
11 years ago

That rocks!

wsbob
wsbob
11 years ago

““First of all, there’s no other major city in the country that has a mandatory bike helmet law…” NYC’s Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson

The deputy mayor is incorrect in saying this. Seattle’s considered to be a major city in the U.S. isn’t it? In the reader comments, someone noted that Seattle requires everyone riding a bike to wear a bike helmet. Actually applies to King County too. Backing this up:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/injury/traffic/bicycles.aspx

Seattle is looking seriously at a bike share system. The all ages mandatory helmet law represents a daunting obstacle to its success. Link to an informative article about the situation:

http://seattlebikeblog.com/2011/08/24/bike-sharing-is-coming-to-the-northwest-but-seattles-helmet-laws-get-in-the-way/

Comments to the transportation nation article mention also that NYC already has a mandatory 13yr and under bike helmet use law.

Jake
Jake
11 years ago

forkless cruiser available in Ghost Bike colourway

are
11 years ago

to other links to the philadelphia story
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/39196
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/cityhall/Bike-lanes-may-soon-need-Council-approval.html
say the proposed ordinance was amended to say a bike lane can be put in without council approval for an eight month trial period. the council must not be very busy if they have time to micromanage this stuff, but at least the advance approval requirement was removed.

are
11 years ago
Reply to  are

“two” not “to”

Dude
Dude
11 years ago

Hopworks has pretty good food too.

Dude
Dude
11 years ago

The tv reality show “American Restoration” restored a 3 wheel ice icream bike from the ’30’s. It looks like something you would see around Portland today.