Good News! (Or, one more thing for Teabaggers to hate...)

On March 15, 2010, the US Department of Transportation issued this Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation. Being a layman, I can't tell whether this is enforceable or just a set of recommendations. Your comments and explications would be welcome...

An excerpt:

The DOT policy is to incorporate safe and convenient walking and bicycling facilities into transportation projects. Every transportation agency, including DOT, has the responsibility to improve conditions and opportunities for walking and bicycling and to integrate walking and bicycling into their transportation systems. Because of the numerous individual and community benefits that walking and bicycling provide — including health, safety, environmental, transportation, and quality of life — transportation agencies are encouraged to go beyond minimum standards to provide safe and convenient facilities for these modes.

Bikes are Beautiful!

Because it's spring and bikes are beautiful...


For event details and updates check out www.thinksmall.org.

Entitled States of America

More anger and entitlement from the corporate media, this time directed against cyclists:



Call ESPN if you think this is unacceptable: 1-888-549-ESPN

WARNING: Get out your barf bag before you listen because this will make you sick.

Google Maps Adds Bicycling Directions

The Google bikemapping team (based right here in Seattle) has created a mapping option for cyclists which takes into account topography, cycling infrastructure, and road conditions to deliver bike-friendly directions....

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/biking-directions-added-to-google-maps.html

Drivers Are #1!

...When it comes to emissions of greenhouse gases:
http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20100218a/

From the article:

In their analysis, motor vehicles emerged as the greatest contributor to atmospheric warming now and in the near term. Cars, buses, and trucks release pollutants and greenhouse gases that promote warming, while emitting few aerosols that counteract it....

The new analysis offers policy makers and the public a far more detailed and comprehensive understanding of how to mitigate climate change most effectively, Unger and colleagues assert. "Targeting on-road transportation is a win-win-win," she said. "It's good for the climate in the short term and long term, and it's good for our health."

Driving World Hunger

"The grain grown to produce fuel in the US [in 2009] was enough to feed 330 million people for one year at average world consumption levels."

Touted by some as a "green" alternative to crude, biofuels such as ethanol have a huge impact on world food prices thus needlessly causing millions to go hungry. There is no replacement fuel for automobiles. Gas, hybrid, electric, biofueled--no matter which way you go, cars are wasteful. The only way to truly reduce the impact is to drive less, much less, with zero as the goal.

Read all about it:
www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/01/22-3

Changes Coming in Seattle’s Ride Free Area Bike Loading Policy

Because of the increased demand for linking bicycles and transit, King County Metro will begin allowing bicyclists to load and unload bicycles at any regular bus stop in downtown Seattle’s Ride Free Area at any time of the day on a demonstration basis, effective February 6, 2010. This policy change will be evaluated for a year to determine whether it will be made permanent. Sound Transit, Community Transit and Pierce Transit will also adopt this policy in the Ride Free Area.

Cyclists may also continue to load and unload bicycles at any station of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel during all hours the tunnel is open.

To ensure the success of the new Ride Free Area policy, please remember to always alert the bus driver prior to loading or unloading a bike, and make sure the driver acknowledges you before stepping in front of a bus!

Read more about using Metro bus bike racks.