Posts from — March 2008

Bloomington (Minnesota) is looking at developing some links within a long-proposed 72-mile trail from Fort Snelling to Le Sueur, per the Star-Tribune.

As usual, within a proposal that should be good news, I find a moment of ‘urk!’ To wit:

Joined with the pedestrian walkways along American Boulevard at the city’s northern edge, the three new trails would create a “wonderful grand loop through the city,” Quale said.

Pedestrian walkways are not bicycle trails. While it would certainly make a lovely walking trail, calling this all a ‘river bike trail’ is clearly inappropriate. Especially when you consider the following component of Bloomington City Ordinance:

(c) Bicycles on Sidewalks.

(1) Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 169.222, Subdivision 4(d), and unless otherwise posted, persons may ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in the City of Bloomington but must yield right-of-way to any pedestrian on the sidewalk. Yielding the right-of-way shall mean leaving the sidewalk if necessary.

Having once worked down on American Boulevard, I can attest that the roadway itself is usable, but probably pretty scary for most cyclists on the average weekday (and the average weekday, along parts of the stretch). The pedestrian walkway also is crossed by approximately 3.2 trillion driveways. A cyclist rolling along there is at high risk of not being seen if they are rolling against the flow of traffic on the nearby street.

I find any plan that assumes that bicycles belong on sidewalks, and that sidewalks are ’safe’ to be lacking. Signs alone, or hope alone, do not a bike route make.

Planning is underway for the Twin Cities Bicycling Club’s Weekend on Wheels 2008.

The early stats are that it will take place August 1-3, in Winona, Minnesota. The club last went to Winona in 2001 and 2002, and many members have fond memories of the city near the bluffs.

Details will be in the May newsletter, and on display at the TCBC booth at the Ironman bicycle ride on April 27. In the meantime, we do need some volunteers to help with logistics. All positions will allow people to ride, and are pretty easy gigs involving things like some pre-event work, and some on-site procurement (registration coffee!). Descriptions of the available positions and the ability to sign up are posted at http://www.rideboldly.org/weekend-on-wheels-2008/.

Mucking around with the design. If you see something broken, let me know.

Having previously mentioned Senator Tom Harkin’s ‘Complete Streets’ legislation (proposed March 3), I would be remiss in not mentioning House Resolution 305, proposed by US Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) on February 28. Representative James Oberstar (DFL-Minnesota) also seems to be involved.

There are many fine ‘whereas’ statements in the proposed bill, all of which lead up to recognition that “increased and safe bicycle use for transportation and recreation is in the national interest.” Improved funding for bicycle initiatives are mentioned, as well as incentives for cycling programs throughout the country. Note that no actual funding is covered in this resolution, however, which makes this a glorious statement of support that provides no financial teeth.

Nevertheless, the sentiments expressed by this resolution are quite delightful. I’m just not holding my breath on them having much meaning if this resolution passes until such time as budgetary earmarks are put in play to back them.

Our environmental friends at the Sierra Club have assembled an online quiz about the ‘greenness’ of people’s cycling habits.

The quiz pretty clearly favors those who are using cycling as transportation, versus recreational cyclists and certain types of cyclotourists. For instance, they love the bamboo bicycle. They aren’t keen on unnatural fibers (spandex, wicking polyesters), claiming them to be more about fashion than function. I’d challenge that on a hot day in the Minnesota sun, yes indeedy, beyond the fact that some of the tight, bright cyclist clothing is also about safety (doesn’t get caught in moving parts) and visibility (they don’t make truly neon hemp clothes). The LAB also points out that in the cold, cotton will hold damp and sweat to your skin… brr!

They also don’t like space program bicycle materials. I suspect the bike I am presently building makes them cry.

Per the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago City Council approved the proposed cyclist protection ordinance without debate today.

I remain wary of the need and the enforcement probability of this ordinance. It also increases complexity of differences between various jurisdictions as far as traffic law goes even within Cook County, Illinois. It will be interesting to see the long-term impact.