More on Bike commuting

Running with the alternative transportation trend for today I figured I would pass along a pretty comprehensive article on bicycle commuting.

Yesterday I was chatting with Ted of Rockitecture fame about the stigma of being a bike commuter in today's autocentric society. He had mentioned that since he had started cycling to his new job on the other side of Cleveland from where he worked he felt that driving had become a burden and felt out of sync with that whole realization. It was a thought I had shared with the MarJ a couple of weeks ago when I realized that the only time I really drove my car was to move it from one spot on the street to another to avoid getting a parking ticket. Driving had become a huge, unnecessary and expensive burden and the complete joke of the situation is that to continue automobile ownership one had to have some sort of copious funding.

"Isn't it amazing in our country how driving is just... i mean... how could you not like driving? The idea of someone just being like, you know, I really don't like driving... its inconceivable.

Sam sent me this really decent short article yesterday about sociologists just now realizing that there are (at least) two classes of bike commuters, those that do it by choice, and spend a ton of money on epq. and gear and those that bike b/c they don't have a choice, and the divide between the two. It briefly went into how in our society for the lower class the idea is get those people into cars rather then to teach them proper bike maintenance and car, along with the rules of the road while on a bike. Only once you have become an yuppie urbanite does it become socially acceptable to forsake the car. And even then...

it still continuously blows my mind how the simple act of riding a bike to work/around town can have this deep social meaning and be seen as this act that personally challenges notions of everyday life people would never consider otherwise. " ~Ted

Which is interesting, that a choice of conveyance could impart some sort of deeper social meeting when what it really boils down to is simply getting your butt from one location another in a relatively controlled manner. Of course some justify their purchase of hybrids by pointing out the social statement of strategically purchasing a more expensive auto if only to raise awareness, or as some put it, to justify the "smug" factor which I have heard applied to cyclists as well.

Personally I don't want to get into the argument of what driving what type of car defines what person as. My main concern is getting myself with what stuff I need from one location to another in a quick and easy manner that just happens to be good for me and incidentally, the city and the planet. So that may make me seem a little smug, but I suppose that what a smile on a passing face looks like when someone is stuck in traffic thinking about how much gas they are wasting.

resources:
how to commute by bike with tons of links and pointers (thanks to Grist)!

Being a Green Patriot

Since the summer had begun I had taken to riding my bicycle to work so I haven't notice the flurry of Green Patriot Posters by Michael Bierut that have adorned 70 GCRTA buses.

The campaign, aimed at discrediting the stigma of public transportation as being solely a means of conveyance for the poor and elderly, plays to American's image of self reliance and resilience in the face of adversity by appealing to our nationalistic pride.

Americans have a great ability to pull together in times of crisis. Each day brings headlines that make it clear that global warming and dependence on costly and scarce foreign oil will demand the same kind of resilience, self-sacrifice and ingenuity that we’ve exhibited in the past: in short, that special American brand of patriotism. Back in the 30s and 40s, folksinger Woody Guthrie had a slogan on his guitar: “This machine kills fascists.” I was looking for a similar kind of statement to turn every bus ride into a blow for the environment. - Micheal Bierut

Even given our current political climate as the 2008 political machines gear up into full effect, as allies and enemies position to out-patriot the other, I find it comforting to see an appeal to our pride that has a somewhat tangible and non convoluted purpose and would make immediate changes for the betterment of our regional safety and society.

This on top of news that GCRTA is postponing service cuts makes urban and non-automotive living even more possible.

I should also mention that giving my current commute pattern, I have found the local bus drivers extremely aware of my presence on the road as a cyclist, even giving way when our paths conflict. For their size and lumbering speed I know they are not the most easy of vehicles to maneuver on our city streets and appreciate the effort of the drivers to not mow me over. More then once I have thought to myself how I should write down that bus number and send a quick letter thanking the driver for being so skilled on the road. As much as this may seem a puff piece, when those giants are lumbering down on you huffing on your little bike, you can appreciate not getting smooshed.

1/3 Movie Night - Pi

1/3 Movie Night Presents Pi
Thursday, September 4th, 2008
Bela Dubby
13321 Madison Ave. Lakewood, Oh
7.30pm start time
free

We can't stop talking about the cake. It is pretty delicious. And the beer is good too. I suppose if you like movies there is that as a plus. Also the seats are pretty comfy. The whole thing sort of is like if you were in the cast of Friends and they hung out at a cooler place and did things besides had awkward romantic moments and were actually interesting people. It would be just like that.

I like "Everybody Loves Raymond" better anyway although that may not have had the same original airdate. That Robbie had a funny voice. I don't really remember watching that much television back then. Either there was nothing of any real import on or I have suppressed it. I think 90210 used to be on around that time. I didn't like that show in the first place, I can't believe they remade it.

Anyway, Pi, the movie. Get your math brains on for this one!

PARK(ing) Day 2008 call to arms

Target date: September 19th, 2008

LAUNCHcleveland and TOIstudio would like to mention that we are attempting to create PARK(ing) sites in Cleveland on September 19th, 2008 and are welcoming any and all parties that are interested.

The premise was begun by a group called REBAR in 2005 where it was determined that giving such a large amount of physical space to the automobile instead of to the people of the city was rather ludicrous and actually insulting (remember Ford Prefect?). Therefor REBAR decided to build small pocket parks at various metered spots (for however long the meter would run) to emphasize the import of planning for people first.

This year we are hoping to recreate the vigor in Cleveland. 2006 had a few PARKs show up, however it was decidedly absent in 2007. If you would like to get involved feel free to contact LAUNCHcleveland or fill out the PARK(ing) Day event form.