Bruce to the bike wheel thief.

Bruce to the bike wheel thief spectators.

Local boy does good

Jason McCartney once again shows style and grace on a bicycle in this New York Times article. Yeah, sure, he can race with best, but he can also commute with the average.

(And, to me, the average is far more exciting!)

Bike Commuters' Roadside Breakfast

The bike commuter breakfast is back!  Stop by this Friday, August 1, between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. for some fresh coffee, fruit, and baked goods (vegan-friendly options available).  Rain or shine--we'll be there!

Plan-B

Hey y'all, 

Thanks for putting up those photos I sent.  Plan-B is a great model of yet another kind of bike project, and I encourage a visit to the shop for anyone who finds themselves in the New Orleans area.  Or, of course, there's the website:  http://bikeproject.org.  

Miss you all, keep up the good wrenching!

Cargo Bike Pilot Profile - Val Kleitz

Check out this fine interview from Cargo-Bike.

Feel the power!!

Zach in New Orleans

A few days ago we received a letter from our field correspondent, Zach. Last fall he hit the road on a bicycle adventure. He landed in New Orleans and decided to spend a little time there. This is a glimpse into the two-wheeled world he inhabits now...





The mighty 2x1!! As often as not these days, I just throw my messenger bag in the basket instead of over my shoulder. Them baskets are great... thank you, Wald!







Not the bike project, but Bike Plus, located at Claiborne Ave. and Banks. Yes, you can rent a tux there.



















Arright! A brief tour of the bike project I've been volunteering at here most Saturdays from 2-6pm.






Yep... tires. Truing stands, spokes, handlebar & fork stash and more are back by that blue pegboard on the left.







Everything else! We've got eight bikes' worth of stands, which during the Saturday shift are often all occupied, folks working with their rides upside-down on the floor wherever they can find a space.







If ya look closely, the top of the sign says "Sorry dude,..." I love it.

Old BL Video

Here's a blast from the past!... fall of 2006, if I remember correctly. Thanks to Jack Brooks for creating the video.

Iowa City Bike Library

miracle on two wheels, indeed

I don't even know if I should post this because I like that this blog is mostly a place about the cool things people are able to do WITH their bicycles.  But, eh, I guess it's good to know exactly what kind of morons are out there.  In public office, no less. 

Really, sir.  Get a clue already!  19th century solution to a 21st century problem???

found via www.blog.thesietch.org

Obama For Bicycle?

Obama Pledges Funding for Cycling

CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN)—Barack Obama, in a private 20-minute meeting with members of the Bikes Belong board of directors, told them if he were elected president he would increase funding for cycling and pedestrian projects. And the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee also said he would support Safe Routes to Schools programs.

He also told them he seldom makes promises on what he would do if elected president, but that this was a promise he would keep. Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong, laid out the industry’s position on boosting funding for cycling-related projects and for Safe Routes to Schools at the meeting.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) called the opportunity for industry leaders—both suppliers and retailers—to meet privately with a presidential candidate so early in a campaign for the White House was historic. “It’s important for this industry to understand that it is a force,” said Blumenauer, shortly after Obama left the event.

Stan Day, SRAM’s president, said that Obama “gets it.” He pointed out that Obama understands that bicycles can be part of a solution to issues as diverse as health care, obesity, energy and environmental policy. “He does his homework and he can connect the dots,” he said.

Of the estimated 160 guests who turned out for the event, Day estimated close to 60 represented the bicycle industry ranging from suppliers, retailers and advocates. Among the guests were Greg LeMond and his wife, Kathryn. Obama, in his remarks to the guests, thanked the LeMonds for attending.

Chris Kegel, owner of Wheel & Sprocket, a six-store chain of stores in the greater Milwaukee area, drove to Chicago early Thursday evening to attend the fundraiser at the home of F.K. Day and his wife, Leah. Day is vice-president of SRAM.

“I think it’s very important that we (the bicycle industry) were involved with this type of event,” Kegel said. Kegel added that he personally supports Obama and believes that Obama can help end the partisanship that divides the country.

Chicago retailer, JoAnne McSweeny, owner of Trek Bicycles on Michigan Avenue, said she has followed Obama’s career for years and supports Obama’s run for president. She, like many others, said Obama’s support for cycling is important for the nation’s future.

During a conversational 15-minute speech, Obama poked fun at himself telling the crowd that when he was photographed last weekend riding a bike with his children, he looked like Urkel. For those unfamiliar with Steve Urkel, he was the nerdy, bespectacled semi-hero on the long running sitcom “Family Matters.” The show was centered on an African-American middle class family living in Chicago.

Obama said he had no idea at the time he was riding with his children that he would soon meet with so many members from the industry. However, he pointed out, he knew photographers would be snapping photos of him on his bike, and that he wore his helmet to set an example for the kids.

Tom Petrie, president of Velimpex, who flew to Chicago Thursday afternoon, said he didn’t expect to hear Obama lay out a specific agenda for the bicycle industry. “However, it was refreshing to see somebody trying to unite the country instead of trying to divide it with wedge issues. I find it refreshing and, frankly, necessary,” Petrie said

For a complete report on the event, read the July 1 issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News.
—Marc Sani

http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/1460.html