We are reshaping this blog but not giving up on our project. As I've mentioned before Austin's bike culture reminds me of Portland's bike culture 6 years ago. This, and the notable increase in bike traffic I observed this past trip to NYC, got me wondering. Is Austin really so weird? It is certainly more bike friendly than say a place like Vegas. But the older lady riding across Manhattan in heels and fur, my parents riding bikes to the pub in White Salmon, and Obama's promise to increase funding for bike and pedestrian projects make me pause. So I want to ask, what is it like where you are?
We'd like to gather a cast of writers (regulars and occasionals) to share stories and news from various cities and towns around the world. Want to write for us?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Back in action: Or at least Austin.
Jonny and I have returned from our travels and back to the busy swing of school and work and school and work and Austin.
I managed to get on a couple of loaner bikes while in Portland. One, a cruiser with a wheel so out of true I thought it might fall off, I rode through north Portland in the ice. The other, a multi-geared road bike made into a single speed through some missing parts (not gears) that was too big for me and had a saddle that swiveled and was affixed to some degree with duct tape, I rode a couple of times all the way across town. Walking it through the Rose Quarter transit center flush with blazer spectators, I was asked by some teenage boys, "Aren't you afraid to ride that?"
"No," I lied and biked up Interstate to watch the game at the newly non-smoking Overlook. Needless to say it was nice to get back on my bike.
While I love Portland's public transportation system, at 2 dollars a ride it quickly caused me to utter an expletive or two. However, with Portland looking like this for a surprising percentage of my trip, I can only applaud trimet for doing a great job of keeping things (ie me) moving.
I brought a friend to Portland for his first time and while the snow kept the streets clear of the usual hoards of bicycle riding folks, I made sure to point out Portland's prolific bike parking infrastructure to try and get him to imagine what he was missing. Seriously Austin, put some money into staple racks. As a small bike rider with a quick release wheel I am constantly relegated the edges of the old fashioned racks.
Luckily I don't need to lock my bike in my living room.
Perhaps you notice my new bike hauling equipment (thanks mom and dad!). According to internet discussion of these lovely ortleib backrollers they can accommodate an alto saxophone. This would be very helpful if my saxophone had actually made it here on my friends tour van. With any luck it will get here for SXSW. Anyone up for forming a traveling duet?
My Dad got these from biketrailershop.com a small outfit out of Flagstaff, Arizona with the slogan Haul More=Ride More=Drive Less. Check them out.
We're hitting the ground shuffling around here. If you've any desire to help us out, we could certainly use some extra hands. Time is an unfortunately scarce commodity these days.
I managed to get on a couple of loaner bikes while in Portland. One, a cruiser with a wheel so out of true I thought it might fall off, I rode through north Portland in the ice. The other, a multi-geared road bike made into a single speed through some missing parts (not gears) that was too big for me and had a saddle that swiveled and was affixed to some degree with duct tape, I rode a couple of times all the way across town. Walking it through the Rose Quarter transit center flush with blazer spectators, I was asked by some teenage boys, "Aren't you afraid to ride that?"
"No," I lied and biked up Interstate to watch the game at the newly non-smoking Overlook. Needless to say it was nice to get back on my bike.
While I love Portland's public transportation system, at 2 dollars a ride it quickly caused me to utter an expletive or two. However, with Portland looking like this for a surprising percentage of my trip, I can only applaud trimet for doing a great job of keeping things (ie me) moving.
I brought a friend to Portland for his first time and while the snow kept the streets clear of the usual hoards of bicycle riding folks, I made sure to point out Portland's prolific bike parking infrastructure to try and get him to imagine what he was missing. Seriously Austin, put some money into staple racks. As a small bike rider with a quick release wheel I am constantly relegated the edges of the old fashioned racks.
Luckily I don't need to lock my bike in my living room.
Perhaps you notice my new bike hauling equipment (thanks mom and dad!). According to internet discussion of these lovely ortleib backrollers they can accommodate an alto saxophone. This would be very helpful if my saxophone had actually made it here on my friends tour van. With any luck it will get here for SXSW. Anyone up for forming a traveling duet?
My Dad got these from biketrailershop.com a small outfit out of Flagstaff, Arizona with the slogan Haul More=Ride More=Drive Less. Check them out.
We're hitting the ground shuffling around here. If you've any desire to help us out, we could certainly use some extra hands. Time is an unfortunately scarce commodity these days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
