Bike riding for the adult set isn't all Tour de France and lycra shorts, despite marketing efforts to the contrary.
This is addressed in links from the "Whoomp" post below ... the signs, right or wrong, that the US was starting to become a bit like Europe, and that expectations would likely need to shift when it comes to people riding bikes, rather than driving. We sweat! Hair (those of us who have it, anyway), can get messy!
Sounds like a bus ride, eh?
The Globe and Mail is on it, with Primp my ride. Check out how they're doing in Copenhagen at Copenhagen Cycle Chic. And if you really get it, spend some time at the Slow Bicycle Movement.
Alternately, you can ride "in the drops" on your new aluminum road bike. It's up to you.
Everything in its right place
Whoomp There It Is
It might have been when gas prices blew past $4 a gallon and just kept climbing, or maybe it was a bit earlier, and I just didn't notice.
But suddenly, and I do mean suddenly, people are riding bikes places. Maybe we are becoming like Europe, or maybe people are just ticked off enough that they realize, they can leave the car in the driveway, and get places without it.*
Not too many years ago, say 2004 or 2005, I'd maybe see one other person riding their bike, either to/from the store, or to/from "work," every six months or so. Maybe. "Bike to Work Week" 2005, I think it was, I didn't see anyone. (And this is on a bike commuter route that's very popular.)
But today, and yesterday, and the day before it, I'm seeing probably five people each day, either appearing to be riding to/from work, or clearly riding to/from the store. Some bikes have baskets even! If I look outside the window at work, in downtown Kansas City, and watch just one nearby intersection, I'm seeing a handful each hour. People riding bikes with baskets, people riding bikes with bags. People not driving their cars.
This is Kansas City, USA, July 08, and things are sure starting to look different.
*I think there's a difference here. Europe is Europe, with different distances/scales/expectations and histories than the US. We know most of it wasn't built in the 'sprawl' pattern many US communities followed after WWII, and getting around without a car is FAR easier there than here. All the more impressive that in Kansas City, anyway, today, people have begun to do what they CAN in light of skyrocketing gas prices, and it didn't take the government or "big business" to provoke them.
We've rediscovered our bootstraps.
People are riding bikes; I'm floored.
Find others who want to carpool, too
It's not getting quite the attention that busses, bikes or scooters are getting these days, but carpooling is still a great option for those who want to leave A car home a day or so.
And the Mid-America Regional Council comes through again! Check out the (free!) Carpool Connection if you want to team up with similar-thinking people in your area.
July, Four, indeed
With July 4 less than 24 hours away, gasoline prices in the US hit another all-time record, passing $4/gallon on a national average for the very first time.
This is bad news on many different levels, but, TIME reminds us, it's also good in ways we might not be imagining.
Take MARC's Green Commuter Challenge!
The Mid-America Regional Council is challenging KC-area company employees to drive less during July and August, in their Green Commuter Challenge. And why not? MARC says the average 20-mile round trip commute costs about $75 monthly (my math differs quite a bit, but it is what it is).
This is a contest, so you might want to get in on it immediately! Check out who's in already:
American Century Investments
Americo
City of Kansas City, Mo.
City of Mission, Kan.
DLR Group
GE Money
GEHA
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Hallmark
Mid-America Regional Council
PGAV Architects
Rosemann & Associates, P.C.
Terracon
UMB Bank
Unified Government of Wyandotte County / Kansas City, Kan.
WSJ readers commute via bike, on crazy expensive machines
Do not be afraid that the bicycle commuters profiled in the Wall Street Journal ride bikes that represent a year of so of gas for a small Toyota car.
They're commuting by bike, and that's the thing to remember. Remember too, though, that bike riding is tough enough for anyone over the age of about 12, and this is my reminder to finally post some tips up here. For now, though, I'll offer one. You don't need to spend $2,000 for a bicycle!
bus essentials
Because of some extended maintenance on what I call my "utility" bike I had to ride a back-up bike. As I was getting the back-up bike down I realized I wasn't nearly as prepared to get on the bus as I originally thought so I figured this was a good time to write down my thoughts on the basics I need in my "commuter kit" so here goes:
- Bus Pass: This seems obvious but ask me about my bus pass. My June bus pass expired last night and I forgot to get a July bus pass yesterday. The lesson here - figure out when you can get next month's bus pass and get it as soon as you think about it. The first of the month will be here before you realize it! Once you have your bus pass put it somewhere that doesn't require you to think about it - like in your wallet or bag!
- Route Schedule: Keep a hard copy version of your bus route schedule in your kit at all times. If a meeting runs late and you miss the early bus home you'll need to know when the next one will be along.
- Umbrella: Get one that folds up nice and small and fits somewhere in or on your bag. While many of the Metro bus stops are covered I have yet to see a Jo stop that's covered. If you don't have one I can tell you from personal experience you'll need it!
- A Good Book: I suppose it could be a mediocre book but I would say get a good book and have it in a convenient place so you can pull it out and start reading right away.
- MP3 Player & Headphones: The bus can be a noisy place so have your MP3 player and headphones handy to drown out all the background noise. Headphones can also serve as a sign that you're not interested in talking, but use the headphones wisely. I have had some nice conversations on the bus with people that I used to consider total strangers.
- A Tough, Roomy Bag: You probably already have a bag for your work stuff but once you get these items gathered up make sure everything fits easily in your bag. Also make sure you put things in a convenient place so you can get to everything quickly. Tip - take all the stuff you need to carry to your local specialty bag store, set it on the counter, and give the salesperson a challenge to find you a bag that holds everything you carried in. The salesperson will love the challenge and you'll end up with a great bag.
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