Tag Archives: advocacy

REI dishonors the dead with new “Ghost Bike” brand

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Tim K | 18 comments

Ghost Bike: A ghost bike, ghostcycle or WhiteCycle is a bicycle set up as a roadside memorial in a place where a cyclist has been killed or severely injured (usually by a motor vehicle).^[1]^[2] Apart from being a memorial, it is usually intended as a reminder to passing motorists to share the road. Ghost bikes are usually junk bicycles painted white, sometimes with a placard attached, and locked to a suitable object close to the scene of the accident.

For the past few years REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc) has been on a mad tear to show they are a legit player in the urban biking business. They’ve made some good city bikes, some functional and affordable bags, rain gear and so on. They teach classes on urban riding and give money to the right bike organizations.

They look to be as they claim — legit urban riders. Continue reading →

18 Comments

Posted in bigger than here, bikes

Tagged advocacy, alternative transportation, ghost bike, REI

Is “Liking” Riding & Walking Good Enough?

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Anne & Tim | 4 comments

This week everyone is talking about the Danish study linking walking and biking to school with better concentration. Kids + walking/biking + education = hot topic, right?

The story has legs and is making the rounds on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and news outlets. Everywhere we click (at least in our admittedly bike- & walk-centric world), we see a link to the study.

You’ve seen it, haven’t you?

Like many of you, we get excited about these articles and want to pass the on to our network of friends.

Click! Like! Share! +1!

The resulting flurry of retweets and likes is a good thing, isn’t it? “Hey look here’s a great story. Let’s share it with our friends!” We click and make a difference. And then …. nothing.

For all their worth so many of these stories fade quickly, replaced with the next alt-transpo buzz (like … “e-bikes are coming and they are going to change everything!”). Continue reading →

4 Comments

Posted in bikes, Human Powered Politics, kids, neighborhoods, School

Tagged advocacy, bike advocacy, bike-to-school, bikes, kids, motivation, parents, School, social media, walk

I Joined the 2 Mile Challenge. How about you?

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Anne | 6 comments

Clif Bar is once again sponsoring the 2 mile challenge.

To highlight a commitment to bike advocacy and the fight against climate change, CLIF BAR will award $100,000 in grants to support nonprofit organizations helping to lead the way. We’ve assigned each organization to a 2 Mile Challenge team: Red, Gold and Blue. All you have to do is register, pick your team and start pedaling your bike to earn points and help decide where the grants go.

Join a team today and start logging miles! I’m cfdanne and I joined the Red Team benefiting Safe Routes to Schools. Do you have a challenge for me?

– Anne

6 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bikes, Human Powered Politics

Tagged 2mile challenge, advocacy, bikes, non-profit

The Bike Song (advocacy+hipster UK dance music)

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Tim K | 5 comments

I got Mark Ronson’s “Record Collection” a while back. Since then, this song pops into my head nearly every ride. But I kept forgetting to look for a video (I think I actually may have been a tad frightened of what I might find; at least after viewing the “Champagne Bike Party” video Ryan hosted on Go Means Go!).

But thanks to a timely Facebook update from my library school pal Abby (whose taste I trust implicitly), I’ve now got visuals— including some ’80s Brompton-based, retro-’80s Night Rider-style special effects, bicycles coming to life to stop a bike thief, and a parade of UK hipsters reveling in the joy of bikes—to go with a great song.

Beyond the cool factor of just being a good song about bikes, the The Bike Songs spins a really positive advocacy message, too. I especially appreciate this gem for every teenage boy who feels pressured into ditching his bike so he can get girls:

“I can’t understand it, but i can’t really stand them
Girls love cars, but cars cause harm to the planet
Don’t you wanna take a joyride on my tandem
Humming on a huffy, don’t i look so handsome
Bass to bikes they’re so nice they’re priceless”

That’s right, young man. Keep the faith. The ladies worth having are going to find your bike sexy!

-Tim

PS – Portland bike advocate/planner wunderkind Mia Birk at REI tonight. Maybe she’ll share a little Portland-style bicycle secret sauce? I’d be happy with some tips to help us take our local car v. bike rhetoric down a notch or two.

I’ll be heading down there w/ Julian from Totcycle. We’ll either be the dudes on the really big (Madsen/Xtracycle) or really small (Brompton) bikes. I bet Mia likes “the Bike Song!”

5 Comments

Posted in bikes, Events

Tagged advocacy, bikes, music, ronson, video

Seattle Ride of Silence Tonight (May 20)

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Tim K | 3 comments

The Seattle 2009 Ride of Silence quietly rolls out from Gas Works Park at 6:30 this evening. The ride, if you aren’t familiar, is an international event intended to honor those killed or injured cycling on roadways.

I participated last year and was marked by the ride. It’s a rather eery experience when a few hundred normally chattery cyclists string out along the road for a completely silent, solemn parade. Other than the whir of tires, ratcheting of freehubs, or squeals of wet, longbike disc brakes (sorry about that), it really is a ride of silence.

Continue reading →

3 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, Human Powered Politics

Tagged advocacy, bicycle, bikes, Commute, respect, ride of silence, seattle

Bike Rack Advocacy: A Message For Seattle Schools

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Anne | 2 comments

Full Racks in Portland Just last week, we wrote about the lack of safe bike parking at Seattle’s newly-remodeled Garfield high school. I meant to send the school district an email then but procrastination got the best of me. This evening, Cascade’s Braking News highlighted the problem in it’s Advocacy Issues section; I couldn’t let the opportunity to speak my mind pass again. Continue reading →

2 Comments

Posted in bikes, extravehicular activities, kids, Rack that Bike, seattle

Tagged advocacy, bike advocacy, bike racks, bikes, racks, schools, seattle, Seattle School District

Seattle Bike Swap: Big Crowds and Lame Bike Parking

Posted on February 26, 2008 by Tim K | 2 comments

I rode down to the Seattle Bike Swap on Saturday morning. It’s not like I need anything but I can’t resist the thought of a deal. Other than a nice Wald basket ($7) and a couple of cowbells, (3 for $5) I otherwise kept ahold of my cash and didn’t add to the garage gear piles.

The big news was the massive crowd and resulting bike rack shortage. I’ve attended the last few years, and though the event is popular, I can usually stroll in a few minutes after 9. This year, however I rolled up to a line snaking around the hanger. The bike scene is alive and well in Seattle. Though far too many attendees chose to drive this year, a sizable number of riders quickly overwhelmed the existing racks.

Continue reading →