March 11, 2009
Bike Share Program in... Boston?
Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Boston 'bike czar' Nicole Freedman announced earlier this week that they planning to introduce a bike sharing program in Boston for 2010. The city is hoping to put up to 1,500 bicycles on the streets at 150 bike stations that consumers can use simply by swiping a card.
I certainly applaud this ambitious effort. And I sincerely hope that they can overcome the obvious hurdles they face:
1) Funding - with the need for financial support from a cash strapped city in the middle of a economic disaster, getting city approval will be tough.
2) Infrastructure - Boston is a beautiful city and has some newly redone parks, but most of the city is not safely navicable by bike by a novice (someone likely to rent); the cost to build out safe riding routes and lanes throughout the city will likely dwarf the cost of the program
3) Standardization - Boston is trying to set a standard for all neighboring cities and towns when it comes to operations, which may cause heartache for some communities.
4) Timing - the city just issued the RFP this week, so it seems hard to believe that they can evaluate, negotiate, select, implement, test and roll-out this ambitious plan in less than 12 months.
Note that I only share these concerns because I would so much like to see Boston implement this. How I would enjoy exploring the city by bike. So my hopes rest in the capable hands of Mayor Menino and Nicole. If there is anything we can do to help, let us know...
For more information, read the article here http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/03/boston_takes_fi.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed2
May 29, 2008
I'm Glad I Got a Flat Tire
Normally, I ride to/from work with a backpack filled with snacks, spare clothes, work papers, and of course a spare tube and tools. Well this week, I decided to leave clothes in the office and switch to a smaller waist pack. The ride into work was nice having a smaller, lighter pack. One slight problem. I forgot to pack my spare tube and tools. So, as Murphy's Law would have it, last night I got a flat on my way home. Without a spare, I had to call home to have someone come pick me up. But as I sat waiting to be picked up, I realized that I didn't feel anxious or impatient. I surely would have a year or two ago before I started riding to work regularly. Which got me thinking. When commuting by bike, you can't feel rushed. You can't be impatient. You're not going to keep up with traffic, nor do you necessarily want to. You need (and want) to slow down, not just to enjoy the ride and workout, but to keep your world in perspective. In a car, you can never get where you are going fast enough. The cars ahead of you are never moving fast enough, and your time in the car never seems productive enough. When commuting by bike, you are separated from this frantic pace, if only for a few minutes a day. No phone, no headline news, no coffee, no traffic. For me, this brief daily respite from the daily rush has helped me keep my perspective. I relish my time on my bike. I can block out everything that in a car would normally drive me crazy, and relax. In hindsight, I'm really glad I got that flat tire...now I remember why I ride (although I WILL remember my spare tube next time).
May 23, 2008
The Cost of Bike Commuting: A Banana and a Bowl of Raisin Bran
This morning after my ride into work I overheard a conversation between two guys visiting our building. They were talking about gas prices. Conversation du jour. The first guy complained that his 15-mile drive costs him nearly $8 per day. The second guy, not to be out-done, said his commute was nearly 25 miles. He said this almost bragginly, expecting us to be impressed. He didn't realize I ride to work by bike; I'm probably the last person who's going to be impressed by a long car drive. The first guy responded by saying that his commute must be costing him about $12 per day. I chuckled. He turned to me and asked how much my commute cost each day. I replied, "this morning, it cost me a banana and a bowl of raisan bran cereal... I ride my bike." Apparently, this was not the answer he was hoping for. But he said "good for you," looked at his watch and apparently realized he would rather be someplace else and left. I guess he's last person to be impresseded by someone who commutes by bike.
May 1, 2008
Dynamic Rides the Five Boro Bike Tour
This Sunday, May 4th is the Five Borough Bike Tour - a 42 mile ride through the five boroughs of New York. It is one of the largest (if not the largest) organized bike rides in the country. Over 30,000 riders participate each year!
This year, I'll be riding along with Tom our Production Manager and Norm, our Marketing Manager. Our goal is not necessarily to go out promoting our chainless bikes (although we are always proud to show them off and talk about them); our goal is to have fun. I spent two days last month riding around New York on my Green Media Tour. This time will be different - no cars, taxis or buses. It will be a great way to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of New York at its finest. Hopefully, we'll see some of you out on the ride...
I'll share some pictures and comments from the ride with you when we return.
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Tags: five boro bike tour
nyc bicycling
new york by bicycle
bike new york
May 1, 2008
Best Time to Bike to Work
I love May. Not only is it getting warm enough to ride, but May is National Bike Month. That makes May the best month of the year to make good on your goals of cycling to work. During this month, many cities around the country will be helping cyclists explore new bike paths and commuting routes by bike.
I have set my own personal goal to ride 15 days this month. I wish I could ride every day, but like many of you, I have to set aside at least one day a week to run errands during the day. My ride this morning througha crisp 35 degree New England morning was refreshing, and well worth it. I tried a new route for my 7 mile commute this morning. Its fun to explore some new streets and see some new faces.
For more information on National Bike Month and Bike-to-Work-Week, visit the League of American Cyclists at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/. See you on the road.
