Bike Me

2009 in the Chinse Calander is the Year of th Ox…amoung other things that would make one bright, inspiring, sun and easy going, an exceptional parent. Oh my, what a year this may be! A new president with an agenda that will take super human strength, the Wisdom of Solomon, patience of Mother Theresa. I could go on but I think you get the point.

There are so many issues that face us all, because in the end we are all in this together. What does this have to do with bicycles? Well actually, I’m no more certain than you are. However, I do think this.

IF the area basically inside the Route 495 (Massachusetts) corridor most of the commuters used bicycles, combined with mass transit, many things would happen. First, a huge statement would be made. We are not kidding about a way of life with a little less oil in it. That as a people in this nation, to be political, and of the world, to be sensible; we are willing to start to take care of this blue planet as of right NOW! Couple of major implications there! This is not to even mention what kind of place this would be then, people out ridding bicycles actually talking to each other, health impacts, aw heck even cleaner air.

Now be sure, I’m not advocating, although how cool would that be, that the UPS, Postal, and the FedEx folks convert to Big Dummies and we all hug a tree once a week. But imagine, just for a minute, what a 2, 3 or 10 fold increase in Bicycle commuters would look like. Imagine what the local governments, MBTA and the State would have to do with bicycle issues then. Makes one wonder where the tipping point will be? Makes one wonder that if a family no longer needs two cars because they use two bicycles where THAT savings would be spent. It does make one wonder, doesn’t it now!

Given the above mentioned altered sense of reality, major paradigm shift, the new normal; one sure could say to those that were not sincere to issues that directly and collaterally affected bicycle commuters…BIKE ME!

2009 in the Chinse Calander is the Year of th Ox…amoung other things that would make one bright, inspiring, sun and easy going, an exceptional parent. Oh my, what a year this may be! A new president with an agenda that will take super human strength, the Wisdom of Solomon, patience of Mother Theresa. I could go on but I think you get the point.

There are so many issues that face us all, because in the end we are all in this together. What does this have to do with bicycles? Well actually, I’m no more certain than you are. However, I do think this.

IF the area basically inside the Route 495 (Massachusetts) corridor most of the commuters used bicycles, combined with mass transit, many things would happen. First, a huge statement would be made. We are not kidding about a way of life with a little less oil in it. That as a people in this nation, to be political, and of the world, to be sensible; we are willing to start to take care of this blue planet as of right NOW! Couple of major implications there! This is not to even mention what kind of place this would be then, people out ridding bicycles actually talking to each other, health impacts, aw heck even cleaner air.

Now be sure, I’m not advocating, although how cool would that be, that the UPS, Postal, and the FedEx folks convert to Big Dummies and we all hug a tree once a week. But imagine, just for a minute, what a 2, 3 or 10 fold increase in Bicycle commuters would look like. Imagine what the local governments, MBTA and the State would have to do with bicycle issues then. Makes one wonder where the tipping point will be? Makes one wonder that if a family no longer needs two cars because they use two bicycles where THAT savings would be spent. It does make one wonder, doesn’t it now!

Given the above mentioned altered sense of reality, major paradigm shift, the new normal; one sure could say to those that were not sincere to issues that directly and collaterally affected bicycle commuters…BIKE ME!

“Auld Lang Syne”, a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, first verse is “Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old times since?.”

Great for reflecting upon a year gone past for sure! For those of us that relish our attraction to older bicycles, bicycles that have character, history, were built to last. It’s a great question also. They are things of days gone by, but still here serving a purpose. Transportation for the masses; and if we got it with out being pushed by $4.00 gasoline, they would be massed for transportation.

But since our society is truly still on a 12 step program from its oil addiction it will be a while before such radical ideas such as reuse and recycle, rework replace throw away, new and improved. I’m not saying lets toss our mp3’s and break out the 33 1/3 rpm vinyls, but there is so much life left in so many old/vintage bicycles! OK, OK, so there are plenty of other really important issues to talk about like solar, but this IS about bicycles!

I have plenty to be thankful for in 2008 and at years end I truly do say to those around me “Aren’t we lucky!” I am thankful that there are plenty of you that wrench life back into old things to make them new again, such as bicycles. I am thankful that there are plenty of you that will return to the streets as soon as the weather allows you to ride instead of drive. I would be even more thankful if only the rest would get it! Get it enough to at least make an effort to cease any unnecessary vehicle use and find another way to move around. As my old buddy Vin form OldRoads.com says…It’s the parking, ______!

So to all that do get it, and are actually doing something about it, Happy New Year!

To the rest…maybe we should just say…Bike Me!

“Auld Lang Syne”, a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, first verse is “Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old times since?.”

Great for reflecting upon a year gone past for sure! For those of us that relish our attraction to older bicycles, bicycles that have character, history, were built to last. It’s a great question also. They are things of days gone by, but still here serving a purpose. Transportation for the masses; and if we got it with out being pushed by $4.00 gasoline, they would be massed for transportation.

But since our society is truly still on a 12 step program from its oil addiction it will be a while before such radical ideas such as reuse and recycle, rework replace throw away, new and improved. I’m not saying lets toss our mp3’s and break out the 33 1/3 rpm vinyls, but there is so much life left in so many old/vintage bicycles! OK, OK, so there are plenty of other really important issues to talk about like solar, but this IS about bicycles!

I have plenty to be thankful for in 2008 and at years end I truly do say to those around me “Aren’t we lucky!” I am thankful that there are plenty of you that wrench life back into old things to make them new again, such as bicycles. I am thankful that there are plenty of you that will return to the streets as soon as the weather allows you to ride instead of drive. I would be even more thankful if only the rest would get it! Get it enough to at least make an effort to cease any unnecessary vehicle use and find another way to move around. As my old buddy Vin form OldRoads.com says…It’s the parking, ______!

So to all that do get it, and are actually doing something about it, Happy New Year!

To the rest…maybe we should just say…Bike Me!

It was a little after noon time this Christmas Day as my wife and I were walking our dog I saw a very cool thing. A young girl, perhaps about 9 or 10, was riding a bike. It looked very new so I just had to ask, and yes it was a Christmas present! When she answered her face lit up as a child’s face should on Christmas Day. Her Mom running along behind her said with a laugh,”She had to get out and put a few miles on it!”

Now being a stream of consciousness sorta guy, I had immediately had several runs of thought. The only “new” bike I got was when I was about 9 or 10 also. It was to replace the early 1950’s Balloon Tire Columbia I had been riding and had to grow in to. Even though my Columbia out weighed me by about double, and I nearly always finished last in any race, I liked it. Mostly because it never ever broke, the chain stayed on, tubes held air, etc.

My first real new bike was a three speed Columbia with a new fangled twist grip 3 speed shifter (See photo for a close example. Mine was red). Although not exactly what I would have picked out, I was very excited to get this bike, thanks Mom & Dad. However, it lasted about 2 years before the twist shifter broke. Because it was stuck in 3rd gear I had my first “single speed”. It was just easier to just cut the shifter wire off, repairs and parts were too expensive. A year or so later I ended up stripping the fenders off and it was closer to a road bike look that I had only seen in pictures. But that bike served me to delivering the Boston Globe 6 days a week to about 50 homes in my neighborhood. I think I made about $2.00 per week.

It was a couple of years later that I had my first job, dish washer at a local fried fish restaurant. So I got to earn minimum wage, at that time was $1.30 per hour, for washing hundreds of dishes, pots pans etc. all by hand. I worked about 10 or hours per week, so it wasn’t long before I was able to purchase MY very own first bike, a Mercier. Back in the day it was one of the finest bicycles matched only by Peugeots and other European makers. Boy did I feel on top of the world!

So this past Thursday I had suddenly remembered the great excitement of those long ago Christmas and early spring days. All brought back for a quick minute by a young girl all but squealing with excitement as she put her first miles on her new bike! Who said that the Christmas Spirit was lost?

There are many things we remember, but is there anything as exciting as a new bicycle waiting to take us wherever we want to go? And especially as a child it seemed that the world was open to our travels. I rode that Mercier for the better part of 5- 6 years before I was able to buy my own car. And to put on hundreds of miles per week was normal.

Later in life I rode a motorcycle on many a cross country trip for many years and I have to say nothing can match that except, yep a bicycle. Why you may ask? Because even on a motorcycle you miss things, like the smile of child on her first ride on her new bicycle.

Ride more. See more!

It was a little after noon time this Christmas Day as my wife and I were walking our dog I saw a very cool thing. A young girl, perhaps about 9 or 10, was riding a bike. It looked very new so I just had to ask, and yes it was a Christmas present! When she answered her face lit up as a child’s face should on Christmas Day. Her Mom running along behind her said with a laugh,”She had to get out and put a few miles on it!”

Now being a stream of consciousness sorta guy, I had immediately had several runs of thought. The only “new” bike I got was when I was about 9 or 10 also. It was to replace the early 1950’s Balloon Tire Columbia I had been riding and had to grow in to. Even though my Columbia out weighed me by about double, and I nearly always finished last in any race, I liked it. Mostly because it never ever broke, the chain stayed on, tubes held air, etc.

My first real new bike was a three speed Columbia with a new fangled twist grip 3 speed shifter (See photo for a close example. Mine was red). Although not exactly what I would have picked out, I was very excited to get this bike, thanks Mom & Dad. However, it lasted about 2 years before the twist shifter broke. Because it was stuck in 3rd gear I had my first “single speed”. It was just easier to just cut the shifter wire off, repairs and parts were too expensive. A year or so later I ended up stripping the fenders off and it was closer to a road bike look that I had only seen in pictures. But that bike served me to delivering the Boston Globe 6 days a week to about 50 homes in my neighborhood. I think I made about $2.00 per week.

It was a couple of years later that I had my first job, dish washer at a local fried fish restaurant. So I got to earn minimum wage, at that time was $1.30 per hour, for washing hundreds of dishes, pots pans etc. all by hand. I worked about 10 or hours per week, so it wasn’t long before I was able to purchase MY very own first bike, a Mercier. Back in the day it was one of the finest bicycles matched only by Peugeots and other European makers. Boy did I feel on top of the world!

So this past Thursday I had suddenly remembered the great excitement of those long ago Christmas and early spring days. All brought back for a quick minute by a young girl all but squealing with excitement as she put her first miles on her new bike! Who said that the Christmas Spirit was lost?

There are many things we remember, but is there anything as exciting as a new bicycle waiting to take us wherever we want to go? And especially as a child it seemed that the world was open to our travels. I rode that Mercier for the better part of 5- 6 years before I was able to buy my own car. And to put on hundreds of miles per week was normal.

Later in life I rode a motorcycle on many a cross country trip for many years and I have to say nothing can match that except, yep a bicycle. Why you may ask? Because even on a motorcycle you miss things, like the smile of child on her first ride on her new bicycle.

Ride more. See more!

Although this piture is dated 12/25/2005, it has a point, even 3 years later. Santa is a member of the US Army on duty near Tikrit, Iraq (note the huge blast walls behind him). The picture was taken by my brother, a US Army Veteren from a generation ago.

Both are serving, although in different capacities, in a very far away place. Santa is on active duty and my brother is in a civilian logistical and support position. Both have been away for a very long time even since 2005. Both could, at the end of their respective enlistments and or contracts, return to civilian lives. Both choose to stay and serve.

Regardless of anyone’s position on this war, it’s still a war and very dedicated and brave people are willing to go into harms way. The bottom line is that they are all volunteers who willing stand between you and pain no one wants to feel. And they do it with a clear understanding that it has huge costs to them, including possibly takng their limbs and or lives. It really is about service and sacrifice which, in the end, is actually for all of us.

So as we go about our business with our families and friends this Christmas please remember that there are people; sons and daughters, farthers and husbands, wives and mothers, brothers and sisters, in far away places standing on the line for you and me.

If you see someone in uniform please be sure to thank them, show your gratitude for what they are doing.

Peace On Earth, Good Will To All.

Although this piture is dated 12/25/2005, it has a point, even 3 years later. Santa is a member of the US Army on duty near Tikrit, Iraq (note the huge blast walls behind him). The picture was taken by my brother, a US Army Veteren from a generation ago.

Both are serving, although in different capacities, in a very far away place. Santa is on active duty and my brother is in a civilian logistical and support position. Both have been away for a very long time even since 2005. Both could, at the end of their respective enlistments and or contracts, return to civilian lives. Both choose to stay and serve.

Regardless of anyone’s position on this war, it’s still a war and very dedicated and brave people are willing to go into harms way. The bottom line is that they are all volunteers who willing stand between you and pain no one wants to feel. And they do it with a clear understanding that it has huge costs to them, including possibly takng their limbs and or lives. It really is about service and sacrifice which, in the end, is actually for all of us.

So as we go about our business with our families and friends this Christmas please remember that there are people; sons and daughters, farthers and husbands, wives and mothers, brothers and sisters, in far away places standing on the line for you and me.

If you see someone in uniform please be sure to thank them, show your gratitude for what they are doing.

Peace On Earth, Good Will To All.

The other night (before all the snow) about 7PM, I was approaching an intersection when something caught my eye to my left. I had to look twice, first to acquire the object, realize it was moving and then second to identify what it was. All dressed on dark clothing face covered against the cold was a bicyclist. There was absolutely no lights, reflectors, bright clothing or because of the cold skin showing. Nothing on to help mark this person, just their dark light absorbing clothing. The truth is my wife spotted this person first and I am not sure I would have seen them before it would have mattered. And I think I am very observant and always looking for cyclists.

Now my first thought was, that person is in a dangerous situation, moving about in an urban area at night etc. etc. Then I thought, given the outcomes of many car vs. bicyclist crashes just how unfair was this person on that bike being!?!? I mean even a reflector or one piece of bright colored clothing would be better than nothing. When a bicyclist gets hit by a vehicle it ruins more than the just that bicyclist day.

There are so many ways to improve the visibility of a rider and their bike. It is crucial to be seen as far away as possible to give drivers time to react to what they see, make a judgment and then act. This is especially true during the colder months and winter it is paramount to be seen because drivers just don’t expect to see a person on a bike when it is 15 degrees out and or there is snow on the ground. The use of rear and front blinking lights, side visibility issues, reflective clothing, vests, the list goes on and on! There are many web sites you can Google Bicycle Visibility for and check out for ideas and products.

Certainly there is no “Silver Bullet” that will protect you 100%, but you sure can increase the odds of NOT getting hit, especially at night. Complacency is cause for more accidents than any one would ever want to truly admit.

Safe Cycling – Act Accordingly……….Cyclist Visibility – ‘Survival of the Brightest’

The other night (before all the snow) about 7PM, I was approaching an intersection when something caught my eye to my left. I had to look twice, first to acquire the object, realize it was moving and then second to identify what it was. All dressed on dark clothing face covered against the cold was a bicyclist. There was absolutely no lights, reflectors, bright clothing or because of the cold skin showing. Nothing on to help mark this person, just their dark light absorbing clothing. The truth is my wife spotted this person first and I am not sure I would have seen them before it would have mattered. And I think I am very observant and always looking for cyclists.

Now my first thought was, that person is in a dangerous situation, moving about in an urban area at night etc. etc. Then I thought, given the outcomes of many car vs. bicyclist crashes just how unfair was this person on that bike being!?!? I mean even a reflector or one piece of bright colored clothing would be better than nothing. When a bicyclist gets hit by a vehicle it ruins more than the just that bicyclist day.

There are so many ways to improve the visibility of a rider and their bike. It is crucial to be seen as far away as possible to give drivers time to react to what they see, make a judgment and then act. This is especially true during the colder months and winter it is paramount to be seen because drivers just don’t expect to see a person on a bike when it is 15 degrees out and or there is snow on the ground. The use of rear and front blinking lights, side visibility issues, reflective clothing, vests, the list goes on and on! There are many web sites you can Google Bicycle Visibility for and check out for ideas and products.

Certainly there is no “Silver Bullet” that will protect you 100%, but you sure can increase the odds of NOT getting hit, especially at night. Complacency is cause for more accidents than any one would ever want to truly admit.

Safe Cycling – Act Accordingly……….Cyclist Visibility – ‘Survival of the Brightest’