Ride Boldly!

Bikes, bicycling, and road safety.

June 9, 2011
by julie
Comments Off on Four Days Of Track Racing Ahead!

Four Days Of Track Racing Ahead!

Not one, not two… but four days of track racing! This weekend at the NSC Velodrome, there’s a full schedule of track cycling to check out. Here’s the deets:

  • Thursday: Thursday Night Lights, 7 PM — The weekly racing at the NSC Velodrome. $2 for adults and over-12s, free for under-12s, prize drawings for picking the winner in selected races. Fun for the family, with decent food, beer and ice cream on sale at the Snack Shack.
  • Friday: Fixed Gear Classic, 6 PM
  • Saturday: Fixed Gear Classic, 10 AM
  • Sunday: Fixed Gear Classic, noon

Many racers from out of state will be here for the Friday-Sunday racing. Each day of the 2011 Fixed Gear Classic offers a TON of racing, with many different track disciplines represented. I’m going to go on a limb and assume the Snack Shack will be operational during the event, although not sure about beer early in the day Saturday. There is reasonable, if hopelessly suburban, chow nearby as well (standard issue suburban – Caribou, Chipotle, Jimmy John’s, fast fud, plus a few decent sit-down places).

Each day’s racing costs $2 for adults (over 12), free for the kids. Funds do nifty things like support youth racing programs at the NSC. Bring exact change for best results.

Track racing is a lot of fun to watch, and there are multiple good routes for getting to the Velodrome via bicycle or there is abundant parking at the NSC. Catching a few races is a highly recommended weekend activity.

June 9, 2011
by julie
8 Comments

Good Question on WCCO – What Are Minnesota’s Bike Laws?

Last night’s Good Question on WCCO was about bicycle law. I and a member of the Minneapolis Bicycle Ambassadors spoke to WCCO on the topic.

The coverage is pretty reasonable (although they did spell my name wrong online, ooga booga). It hit two of the things I emphasized, although some of the quote was me, some from the BA, and some from the reporter — bikes are legal on the roads, and the 3-foot-passing rule.

There is also good emphasis on the importance of riding/driving predictably, which is another thing I mentioned in my interview, although that footage was not used.

My classic post on the core Minnesota bicycle statute (169.222) remains accurate today for the legal responsibilities of cyclists. Several additional statutes also apply, but 169.222 hits most of the high points.

And for anyone interested in learning more road skills, the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota offers a variety of educational bicycle courses based on the League of American Bicyclists curriculum, and are a good resource to find other quality courses.

June 8, 2011
by julie
Comments Off on Bike to Work Day Safety Tips

Bike to Work Day Safety Tips

Thursday is Bike to Work Day in Minneapolis, and whether it’s your first time bike commuting or you’re a regular, here are some tips to make your commute safer:

  • Try to pick streets with reasonable speed limits of 20-35 mph when possible, with a wide lane or dedicated bicycle infrastructure like a bike lane. On faster roads, look for a good shoulder or an extra-wide lane.
  • Stop at stop signs. Bikers who are seen blowing stop signs give all of us a bad name. Knockitoff, ‘kay?
  • Signal your turns. This is typically done left-handed, for greatest motorist visibility.
  • Avoid getting to the right of a right turning car when you’re planning to go straight in those tricky Straight-Right Turn Option lanes.
  • Wear visible clothing. Reflective strips may not be on the runways in Milan, but hospital gowns are really un-chic. Bright colors are also a good plan.
  • If you’re planning a maiden voyage tomorrow, check your bike out before you go. Is the chain tight, the tires inflated, the seatpost raised so that you get full leg extension when pedaling? Yeah, get that all done. If you miss Bike to Work Day tomorrow, you can declare another one any time you want, and it’s more fun with a functional bicycle.
  • Have a plan. Do you sweat? Do your coworkers not want to smell you? Have a plan for how you’ll make yourself pleasant and office-appropriate. (Seriously, even in casual offices, people don’t like you if you smell.)
  • Don’t use your phone or text while riding. Sheesh.

The League of American Bicyclists offers additional sage advice for riding better. The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota often offer various courses throughout Minnesota to encourage Minnesotans to have fun on their bikes.

There are several events for Bike to Work Day tomorrow, with celebrations at REI Bloomington for Bloomington strip commuters, Hennepin County Center in downtown Minneapolis, and Rice Park in Saint Paul. These are several additional celebration locations for smaller events noted on the Bike Walk Week web site.

June 8, 2011
by julie
Comments Off on WCCO To Cover Bicycle Safety

WCCO To Cover Bicycle Safety

Tonight’s Good Question with Jason Derusha on WCCO News at 10 will be on the subject of bicycle safety, specifically the laws for bicycle-car interaction.

I will be a part of the segment, talking about bike laws and bicycle safety. Given my feelings about media coverage of bicycles, this is a moment in which I’m trying to do the right thing and make the coverage better. I gave an extended interview, which will be chopped down to fit the segment. Jason will also be talking to a Minneapolis police officer.

I’ll share a recap after it airs.

June 6, 2011
by julie
Comments Off on Openings & Closings

Openings & Closings

Big week here in the cities for dedicated bicycling opportunities.

  • After years and years, the Cedar Lake Trail is now finished to the river. The project took 20 years, and was interrupted by the building of a ballpark. However, the slightly weird routing through downtown from the river to the CLT is now a thing of the past. A grand opening gala is scheduled for 5PM June 14 between the Federal Reserve Bank and the river on the West River Parkway, but you can ride the trail today.
  • Close by the Cedar Lake Trail, new bicycle shower and locker facilities have been added to Ramp B in Minneapolis. Bicycle parking is free, but there is a fee to shower and use the lockers. This fee is still a lot less than the fees to park a car, and offers downtown commuters an option for showering if their employer lacks one.
  • The RiverLake Greenway has been completed, and a grand opening soiree has been scheduled for Saturday, June 11. The RLG is a 5-mile dedicated bicycle facility running E-W, mostly along 40th and 42nd Streets between the Mississippi River and Lake Harriet. Lots of fun is planned for the grand opening, including some bike rodeos for kids.
  • Open Streets Minneapolis is set for next weekend, June 12. This is not a permanent facility, but counts as an opening for the purposes of this post, because Lyndale Avenue between 22nd and 42nd Streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic. The event is free, but there will be a variety of fine groups willing to take donations of cash, as well as many fine merchants along Lyndale who will be happy to exchange money for beverages, food, goods and services.

There’s plenty of action to be had associated with all of these bike-walk events, so check out the fun in Minneapolis at any one of these options.