Austin On Two Wheels » News http://austinontwowheels.org The Online Magazine of Austin Cycling Culture Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:28:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Over 1000 cyclists take to the streets for the BikeHugger SXSW Mobile Social http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/14/over-1000-cyclists-take-to-the-streets-for-the-bikehugger-sxsw-mobile-social/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/14/over-1000-cyclists-take-to-the-streets-for-the-bikehugger-sxsw-mobile-social/#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:28:34 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8690
On Saturday, SXSW was in full swing, and Seattle based BikeHugger hosted their fourth SXSW Mobile Social. This year’s was huge with over 1000 two wheelers, but luckily BikeHugger brought in the pros at SocialCyclingATX who regularly handle 100s of cyclists on Austin’s streets without major conflict with cars.  Their able ride leaders shepherded us through downtown and east Austin without a hitch.

The ride was fun and the cold beer served up by Mellow Johnny’s at the end appreciated, but I’d ask next year’s Mobile Social to please, please have a police escort. Stopping the group at every stop sign and light really messed with the rhythm of the ride and meant we were blocking the streets longer for those using the road to go somewhere else. (My favorite part of the ride was the impromptu police blockade created by a very cool APD motorbike officer at an especially short stop light allowing the majority of the group to ride through the light unimpeded. The whole ride gave out a huge cheer. The anti-Critical Mass, critical mass indeed.)

]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/14/over-1000-cyclists-take-to-the-streets-for-the-bikehugger-sxsw-mobile-social/feed/ 0 Google adds “Bike there” feature to maps, Austin included in initial rollout http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/10/google-adds-bike-there-feature-to-maps-austin-included-in-initial-rollout/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/10/google-adds-bike-there-feature-to-maps-austin-included-in-initial-rollout/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:47:30 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8673 Today, Google launched a bike route mapping option to their popular Google maps resource, and Austin was included in the cities with this option in its initial roll out. Google has been on the forefront of adding alternative transportation to their mapping programs with walking and transit options available in the last few years in addition to driving directions. The mapping identifies bike only paths, streets with bike facilities, and other recommended bike friendly streets and also importantly takes topography into account with suggestions that attempt to avoid steep hills.

They have done this project in conjunction with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and have a “Report a Problem” tool to allow you to suggest changes when the route Google produces need changing. Based on listserv and forum discussions going on today, there are already several Austin specific changes that will need to be made including most obviously the inclusion of the Hike & Bike Mopac bridge and the Shoal Creek trail system.

]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/10/google-adds-bike-there-feature-to-maps-austin-included-in-initial-rollout/feed/ 5 Bikes Belong Coalition launches People for Bikes campaign with goal of 1 million http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/10/bikes-belong-coalition-launches-people-for-bikes-campaign-with-goal-of-1-million/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/10/bikes-belong-coalition-launches-people-for-bikes-campaign-with-goal-of-1-million/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:54:20 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8670 This week is the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC, a meeting of all the major bicycle advocacy organizations to push for more resources for bikes as a valid form of transportation. At the summit, the Bikes Belong Coalition has rolled out their new People for Bikes initiative with a goal of getting the signed support of 1 million of the estimated 50 million American who ride bikes. This campaign is their attempt at a show of force in how large and diverse the cycling community is.

At the most basic level, those wanting to support cycling resources can sign the People for Bikes pledge here which says:

I am for bikes. I’m for long rides and short rides. I’m for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling—one that is safe and fun for everyone. By uniting my voice with a million others, I believe that we can make our world a better place to ride.

There are also other great organizing tools and ways to spread the word to friends, family, and co-workers.

People4Bikes

]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/10/bikes-belong-coalition-launches-people-for-bikes-campaign-with-goal-of-1-million/feed/ 0 Austin Bike Poster Show puts out call for artist submissions http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/10/austin-bike-poster-show-puts-out-call-for-artist-submissions/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/10/austin-bike-poster-show-puts-out-call-for-artist-submissions/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:11:54 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8667 Bike Month is less than 60 days away, and the newly created Austin Bike Poster Show is looking for artists to submit their take on promoting cycling and celebrating Austin bike culture. The show will select 25 posters to be part of the show which will run May 6- June 5 at Frame Corner at 5601 Adams Avenue, located north central Austin off of Burnet Rd. A panel of local judges will select a winning poster from the finalists which will be used by the City of Austin’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program to promote cycling in Austin.

bikeposterartneeded

Those interested in submitting artwork should design an 18×24 poster that promotes cycling for transportation in Austin and submit it to Tom Linehan at atxbikepostershow@gmail.com by April 30, 2010. There is no cost to submit your work, but selected finalists will be asked to supply 30 copies of their submission for display and sale at the show. Artists will be compensated for poster sales and part of the proceeds will go toward Lamar Middle School’s Safe Routes to School program.

]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/10/austin-bike-poster-show-puts-out-call-for-artist-submissions/feed/ 0 Rotterdam to test system to aid cyclists in avoiding red lights http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/08/rotterdam-to-test-system-to-aid-cyclists-in-avoiding-red-lights/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/08/rotterdam-to-test-system-to-aid-cyclists-in-avoiding-red-lights/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:49:59 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8655 Back in December, we shared a video that mentioned how Copenhagen is so focused on making bikes the preferred form of transportation that the lights on one of their major roads is timed to allow cyclists 6 km of travel without having to stop. Rotterdam is installing an even higher tech version called Evergreen that will let cyclists know the right speed to travel to avoid the dreaded red. LEDs embedded in the pavement will run the length of the road at the rate of speed you need to be going to either speed up or slow down to make there during the green. Pretty slick!

greenwave

This system should be installed by this summer.

]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/08/rotterdam-to-test-system-to-aid-cyclists-in-avoiding-red-lights/feed/ 2 Bike Theft Alert: White Polo Bike Stolen http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/06/stolen-bike-alert-white-polo-bike-stolen/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/06/stolen-bike-alert-white-polo-bike-stolen/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:35:20 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8647 The theft of this rather unique looking bike comes to us from the Austin Texas Bike Polo Social Club. Please keep a look out for this bike and report to the police and the owner below.

StolenWhitePolobike

My polo bike was stolen last night. It was sitting out on avenue f and 46th st. For those of you who haven’t seen it, as long as the wheel covers are on it, it stands out pretty well. If you happen to see it around town feel free to kick the crap eagle ridding it in the head or at least just call me and let me know. 281-898-8534.

Thanks,
Kevin King Beahan
]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/06/stolen-bike-alert-white-polo-bike-stolen/feed/ 0 A2W Tweets summary for the Week of March 1, 2010 http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/05/a2w-tweets-summary-for-the-week-of-march-1-2010/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/05/a2w-tweets-summary-for-the-week-of-march-1-2010/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:38:28 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8628 Twitter_256x256Here’s is the week that was in cycling via the abridged version of Austin on Two Wheel’s Twitter feed.

This gives those not on Twitter or who missed our Tweets a chance to check out interesting bike related articles, photos, and videos from the week that might not warrant a full post on our site. If you want more up to the minute info, you can follow us on Twitter by adding us to your following list here or by adding “austinon2wheels.”

  1. Yep, there are no new ideas: Separated Bike Infrastructure- 1915 http://tiny.cc/DOo2V via @copenhagenize
  2. This just in: CapMetro’s rail service got the green light from the Feds and will begin service on Mar 22. First week is free.
  3. I too often have Phil & Paul in my head as I ride. RT @BikePortland Video: A “Commuter Dreams” of the Tour de France http://bit.ly/ccJHxd
  4. Friday Film Fun: Shots from the 2010 NAHBS http://tiny.cc/B6PIZ
  5. RT @KVUE Rise Across Texas: Cycling is more than a recreational sport. . . http://bit.ly/cnrwsc
  6. To all my followers, @tiffstreats didn’t come out against the bike blvd & the sign was unauthorized. Keep getting your sugar fix from Tiff’s
  7. Wanting a great supported ride through some beautiful pine woods just outside of ATX? Check out Pedal Thru the Pines! http://tiny.cc/VxI4q
  8. Austin Bike Culture Calendar Events: 3/4- 3/10/10 http://tiny.cc/Ktse2
  9. I’ve been criticized for never covering BMX in ATX. Turns out the city is building a new BMX/skate park: http://tiny.cc/aoHnj via @ATXBS
  10. Have you RSVP’d for the @bikehugger SXSW Mobile Social on Sat, Mar 13? It’s gonna be big! Over 1350 have RSVP’d on FB. http://tiny.cc/i4k5G
  11. Gotta get me one of these: Beer Can Bottle Cage Love http://tiny.cc/sq3EQ (via @BikeHugger)
  12. Duh! RT @alttransport: British Govt: More car ownership, less walking and biking factors behind rising obesity: http://bit.ly/97hXaJ
  13. RT @DrivewayRaces Full & 1/2 season passes available for ‘10 Series. Race more 4 less money! Info under the Season Pass http://bit.ly/bTj79p
  14. APD Chief Acevedo returns for second forum with the cycling community http://tiny.cc/cLgzD
  15. Yikes. Saudi youth purposely plow down British cyclist and UK embassy says no foul play, it was accident. http://tiny.cc/7IdEK
  16. Extremely helpful to the newbie. RT @GlennGarry Austin group rides demystified, a sampling to help newer riders. http://bit.ly/boFvSz
  17. Images from the 2010 NAHBS in Richmond, VA http://tiny.cc/ajnrW
  18. Holy crap: RT @JacksonNacht: http://tinyurl.com/ykgwezg Oil drilling creates flammable water supply. Burn on, big river, burn on.
  19. RT @NewUrbanism New Research Shows Walkability, Housing Choice and Transit Reduce Oil Dependency and Promote Health: http://bit.ly/di78B2
  20. This just in: Austin confirmed to be the location of the 2011 North American Handmade Bike Show (NAHBS). Sweet!
  21. RT @cyclelicious Cyclelicious: NAHBS 2010 Photos Friday http://www.cyclelicio.us/2010/nahbs-2010-photos-friday/
  22. Where not to put your money: Sovereign Bank on Nuece St put anti-bike blvd sign up: http://tiny.c/WJfMm RT & close your acct there.
  23. In honor of NAHBS, Friday Film Fun: Framebuilding roundup http://tiny.cc/s6vpG
  24. Attn ATX Colnago fans: CX1 will be available at @neloscycles in ATX next week along with the gorgeous EPS. @ColnagoWorld exclusively.
  25. RT @erintruslow Real Ale Ride… Have you registered? http://www.realaleride.com/register.html Real Ale Ride 2010: Individual Registration
  26. Massive turnout by cycling community at Third Nueces Street Bike Boulevard Open House: http://tiny.cc/CPCKs
  27. The end of an era? GM to shut down Hummer brand: http://tiny.cc/uTtuD The market finally responds to our excesses and says “no”.
  28. Coach Sara Krause posts ultra endurance event training tips. Part 1: http://tiny.cc/vV39r Part 2: http://tiny.cc/SNfQy
  29. City of Austin to hold first Austin Ciclovia planning meeting March 12 http://tiny.cc/8Jpu0
  30. Local bike apparel maker @ChronicCycling up & running again after a hiatus. Old stock on sale too. http://tiny.cc/lDlpg
  31. Danish city bike co. @Velorbis enters e-bike market with classically designed Elechic. Pictures & pricing please! http://tiny.cc/Isj3Q
  32. Next time you hear the auto industry talk about how they want to protect the environment remember this ad: http://tiny.cc/Q3ivV
]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/05/a2w-tweets-summary-for-the-week-of-march-1-2010/feed/ 0 APD Chief Acevedo returns for second forum with the cycling community http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/02/apd-chief-acevedo-returns-for-second-forum-with-the-cycling-community/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/02/apd-chief-acevedo-returns-for-second-forum-with-the-cycling-community/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:43:29 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8605 The weather outside may have been cold and stormy, but the reception from the cycling community to Austin Police Department Chief Art Acevedo was warm at last night’s forum at One Texas Center. The forum was a follow-up on last year’s meeting with the Chief, the first of its kind in Austin, and was sponsored by the Austin Cycling Association, Bicycle Advisory Council, Bike Texas, League of Bicycling Voters, and Austin Yellow Bike Project. The forum began with pre-selected questions from a panel chosen by the sponsors and then opened up to questions from the general audience.

In the past, the cycling community has had many issues with APD including a belief that cyclists are not treated fairly and that officers are ignorant of the law as it applies to cyclists. Chief Acevedo took these criticisms to heart and the department developed a training specifically on bicycle law that the entire department took and was tested on this last year. An updated training was done when the safe passing law went into effect. He also helped quantify how much cyclists are being ticketed for traffic offenses. In 2009, out of the 257,000 traffic citations generated by APD officers, 671 citations or .3% were written to cyclists. In addition, it was mentioned that 1 citation has been made so far on the new safe passing ordinance.

The department is also looking at more transparency with the public on traffic enforcement. Beginning in late spring or early summer, data on crashes and citations will become available online through the APD website for analysis and reports. APD is also working on a frequency asked questions section on bicycle law to help clarify to all road users what bicycles are legally allowed and expected to do. Finally on the online front, a bicycle serial number registration system will go live in the next month as an anti-bike theft program for the city.

A few questions about bike law and its enforcement did come up during the meeting as well. Several questions involved a cyclist’s right to the road and avoiding tickets for impeding traffic. Essentially, if cyclists cannot ride at the pace of traffic they should remain in the right lane on a multi-lane road or as far right as is safe on a single lane road. It was mentioned that you are not required by Texas law to ride in a bike lane if present. It was recommended, but if conditions meant the bike lane was not safe, riding in a regular lane of traffic is acceptable. Also covered were the legality of a track stand versus putting a foot down (no foot required if the bike comes to a complete stop) and drinking and riding (riding a bike drunk is a Public Intoxication offense which does not require a blood alcohol test and can result in arrest and vehicle impoundment.)

Dealing with aggressive drivers came up, and Acevedo encouraged cyclists to call into 311 or 911 with reports of such activity. While an officer cannot issue a ticket strictly on your call, this information is recorded and relayed to officers in the area to be on the lookout for the offending driver.

In addition to Chief Acevedo, Annick Beaudet from the City of Austin Bicycle and Pedestrian Program was there to provide an update from the city staff side. Included in the report was the announcement that in the near future current bicycle lane parking enforcement volunteers will be deputized to issue parking tickets for cars parked illegally in bike lanes. These volunteers to date have only been able to issue warnings to offending vehicles. The City goal is to have all bike lanes free of parked cars by 2020, and the volunteer enforcement crew is a vital part of this.

]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/02/apd-chief-acevedo-returns-for-second-forum-with-the-cycling-community/feed/ 2 More photos from NAHBS http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/02/more-photos-from-nahbs/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/02/more-photos-from-nahbs/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:06:12 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8601 Yesterday, I posted a photo gallery from this weekend’s North American Handmade Bicycle Show. Here are more photos taken by my classmate from Doug Fattic’s framebuilding class who was able to make it to this year’s show. There are some really great bikes here and get’s me even more excited about the show coming here in 2011.

Click photo to see whole gallery

]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/02/more-photos-from-nahbs/feed/ 0 Images from the 2010 NAHBS in Richmond, VA http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/01/images-from-the-2010-nahbs-in-richmond-va/ http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/01/images-from-the-2010-nahbs-in-richmond-va/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:06:31 +0000 elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=8599 As we mentioned yesterday, the North American Handmade Bicycle Show is coming to Austin next February. This is exciting news and a chance for all you bike geeks to see some of the world’s best crafted bikes up close and person.

Our city also got honors at this year’s show with Austin’s own Nick Crumpton picking up the award for best carbon fiber bike. Cyclelious did some great coverage including interviews with several participants.

To whet your appetite, here are some images from the 2010 show which just wrapped up in Richmond, VA.

NAHBS Group on Flickr:

If you are looking for more professional quality and details shots of some of the featured bike, check out Urban Velo’s studio pictures from Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3.

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