I really don’t have anything in for Edina. The articles covering their attempts to try to be bicycle-friendly just make it so easy.

Apparently, a bike lane is more detrimental to property values than a lot of on-street parking in front of a home:

“I just don’t know how anyone can justify having a bike trail in my front yard as an asset to my home,” she said.

Of course, as we might expect, there’s so much more to quibble about:

The street is so busy that residents sometimes have trouble backing out of their driveways.

In that case, on-street parking is likely to block the view when backing out more than a bike lane. Also, if the lane is supposed to be great encouragement to cyclists, the traffic flow of the street is likely to discourage that right back down.

The goal of most of the proposed improvements to W. 70th is to calm traffic and have it move at a more appropriate pace. Surely that helps beautify a street and improve living conditions?

As I’ve said in the past, I think the idea that bike lanes automagically create bicycle-friendliness is wrong. All you have to do is read some of the quotes of the Edina people in the articles to prove my point.

Most of the cited cities appear to be League of American Bicyclists-recognized Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFCs), save, of course, the Canadian cities. The top-10 slideshow (at Forbes Traveler) does something I’ve wanted to see for ages: They rank Minneapolis ahead of Chicago.

Bicycling magazine constantly buys into Daley’s hype for Chicago, and gives Minneapolis ‘honorable mentions.’ Having ridden both cities, which are very different in terms of layout and infrastructure, I will take on Minneapolis roads and drivers any day of the week, no matter what Hizzoner of Chicago sez.

There are all sorts of interesting things to think about this.

• How does this fit in with the St. Paul Council’s refusal to extend bar hours to save residents the sight of “puking Republican lobbyists?”
• How many lost out-of-towners will be wandering about on bikes?
• Will these out-of-towners know bikes are available in advance, or will we see convention-clad people sans helmets on these bikes?
• Will these bikes be available to the massive number of expected protesters? I’d think the protest peeps would be more likely targets for bicycle use, somehow.

Me, I’m planning to be well away from the convention hijinks, as I survived the DNC 1996 and that was enough for at least 20 years. I’ll be up near Grand Marais somewhere, so I’ll rely on all y’all to let me know what sort of law enforcement is brought to bear on lost (drunk?) cyclists, or if the bikes even see use.

New: Article says program will leave behind the check-out mechanism (credit card swipe) and 70 bikes. This article also says that somehow, the bikes all come with helmets.

Me, I am grossed out by communal helmets. Ew.

This chart proves a few things I’ve been saying all along, one of which is that it’s fair to assume many cyclists are regular contributors into the general tax base of our state and nation. I wonder sometimes if the perception that we all aren’t is because everyone thinks bicycles are $80 at Target.

With that comes a deluge of people asking: “What bike should I buy?” I end up answering that a lot for friends, relatives, random co-workers who see the picture of me and my husband on bikes I have in my office and who have heard rumors that I’m some sort of biker person.

I think my answers frustrate some, because they want me to tell them to go to a specific place, and buy a specific brand and model. Of course, it’s not that easy. Questions need to be answered.

What kind of riding do you intend to do? Be honest with yourself.

• Are you looking to do short bike commutes to work?
• Paved street and trail riding?
• Charity events?
• Off-road and unpaved journeys?
• Do you want to be able to haul a Burley? A trail-a-bike?

Figuring out HOW you plan to use the bike is key. A few years ago, I helped a friend find a bike. He saw the sort of riding my club did, and wanted to join in. He liked the idea of a fitness activity that wasn’t murder on the knees. So we found him a good road bike, suitable for group rides, with the best possible frame that would fit him, and components worth using… but easily upgraded. Six years later, he’s still riding that frame, and has rebuilt most of the bike several times.

A lot of people get hung up on brand. Brand is irrelevant. If the frame doesn’t fit, the brand won’t matter. Every brand has its own merits and geometry. Pick one that fits your body and budget.

As a rule of thumb, the frame is going to be what makes or breaks the whole bicycle purchase experience. if you buy a frame that sucks or doesn’t fit, you won’t ride the bike. Period. Getting good components is a nice plus, but on most bikes, you can upgrade them later. If you use the bike enough, they’ll need replacement someday anyway – parts wear out on bikes, just like they do on cars.

Depending on your intended use, you’ll need different features of the frame and components. The second biggest mistake I see people make, after getting a frame that doesn’t fit, is getting the wrong wheels/tires. Most people are using their bikes on paved streets and trails. They will want a smoother tire. However, many get big knobby mountain-style tires thinking they’ll be better. Actually, on pavement, they slow you down a lot. Other people get sleek race-style wheels because they ‘look cool,’ but may be meaning to use their bike much more casually, and have little experience in wheel maintenance. Low-spoke, sleek race wheels require more care and maintenance than many are going to want to put in or learn.

Another thing I see is people messing up seat choice. The seat on a bike at purchase is always negotiable. However, it’s not always true that the biggest, plushest seat will be the most comfortable. Seat choice is going to depend a lot on your riding position (upright? traditional road?) and your actual tuckus. Many people are awfully surprised when they find that something without massive padding makes their butt happiest. (And early on, ANY seat is going to create a bit of post-ride ow – you have to break in both your butt and your seat!)

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.