Car Free Day
September 22; Toronto was the first city in North America to host a Car Free day. Started in 1999 in France as “In Town Without My Car!”
I did happily notice more people on the GO Train this morning. Participation in the event in which Car Free day is the final day of a week long event, has been growing steadily.
From the European Union Mobility Week press release: (http://www.mobilityweek-europe.org/)
In 2008, under the focal theme of ‘Clean Air for All!’, a record number of 2,102 local authorities signed the EMW charter and/or registered their activities on the campaigning site www.mobilityweek.eu. In terms of population, this translates into 220 million citizens in 39 countries potentially engaged by EMW 2008!
This was also an increase of nearly 4% on 2007 rates, with a good participation of old and new EU Member States, Accession Countries and EEA/EFTA countries. EMW’s successful campaigning model is also increasingly being adopted by countries outside Europe, including Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, with the major cities of Seoul, Rio de Janeiro, Taipei, Montréal, Yokohama and Quito all participants in EMW 2008.
We should be doing more with this here; many European Cities have free public transport for the day. Montreal has closed off some streets to cars…
At Fault in Car-Bike crashes. Cyclists: it’s not you.
I’ve seen this in a few places and was reminded of it on Freakonomics. It bears repeating since I hear so many say and write that cyclists are reckless.
90% of car-bicycle crashes are caused by the motorist.
I notice with interest that the largest cause is Drive Out at Controlled Intersection. 20 years ago I remember a study that concluded that pedestrians were statistically safer to cross at a crosswalk that at an intersection with streetlights. Essentially the streetlights lent the pedestrian a sense of security, where the pedestrian was aware and more careful at a crosswalk.
If you’re the pedestrian, or on a bike and a motorist hits you, it doesn’t really matter that the other guy caused it.
Be aware, obey the laws (and common sense), be safe.
Sport Duos: Second Impression
The STRiDA 2-speed SportDuos are here. It’s my 2nd impression since I tried one about 1 1/2 years ago in a parking lot for all of 45 seconds.
For those who would either like a little more top-end speed from their STRiDA, or even better hill climbing ability, the Sport Duo is amazing.
The gears are changed with a tap of the heel. At first, I needed to look down, think about where, when and how I would tap. During the first day though this became much more natural with little need to look down to see what your feet are up to.
1st gear at 47 gear inches ( vs. 52 on the single speed bike) is a terrific hill-climber. For acceleration from a standing start, you’ll find yourself shifting to 2nd before getting to the other side of the intersection. 2nd gear gives you much more speed at a reasonable cadence.
If you add 18″ wheels to your Sport Duo, 1st gear becomes the same as the single speed at 52 gear inches and 2nd is almost too tall, but amazing for speed (see gear chart below).
I really enjoy what happens when, on occasion, a cyclist who may take themselves fairly seriously assume that because my STRiDA is a nice small folder that they will need to crowd in front of me at a stoplight; then I out-accelerate them, click into 2nd and they never catch up.
| Model | 16″ | 16″ | 18″ | 18″ |
| Strida 5.0 | 52 | 59 | ||
| SportDuo | 47 | 77 | 52 | 86 |
Momentum blogpost
I had a wonderful experience, which is how it usually goes when you come in contact with someone who is highly skilled. I was interviewed about savedbybikes.com and Strida folding bikes by Aurelia Dandrea, a writer from Momentum Magazine. What a pleasure to work with a professional; thank you Aurelia.
The article is here.
Strida Folding Bike Crosses the Sahara Desert
When thinking about buying a Strida bike, people sometimes ask “how far can it go?”
Really, I don’t know how to answer this question. I travel 8 miles(12.6 km) twice daily, so I suppose 16 miles is a fair answer. But, I have done many trips of 30 or so miles. Also, we helped with a fundraiser for a good cause earlier this month and did 60 miles.
The best answer I think, is that if your commute or intended rides are 10 km or less, then the Strida is perfect. Even more so if the ride is to a train station, to bring you somewhere else, to ride the next leg.
But, the question is: “how far can it go?” So the correct answer is: at least 3000 miles. Read about the intrepid Strida and rider here.
Strida folding bike and commuter train vs. SUV
As mentioned in a previous post we completed our commuter race. On Monday (Aug 10), the Strida folding bike and the GO train beat Cam Woolley from Barrie to Union Station in downtown Toronto during Monday’s morning rush-hour by at least 30 minutes.
Thank you so much to everyone at CP24 Breakfast for your generousity and professionalism.
Here it is:
Bike Lanes and violators
I have been riding a different route recently along Rogers Rd. from Oakwood west to the end of the bike lane.
Even though long, long lines of stopped cars occur every day along this route, it is terrific how drivers really respect the bike lane.
I read recently on Treehugger about a recycled plastic lane divider. While I like it, especially the recycled plastic use, I’m happy to say we don’t need it – at least on Rogers.
Now, there is one pick-up truck that parks in the lane (which is marked no stopping) everyday; statistically, not too bad considering everyone else. I think I’m going to take a picture of him just for fun because I discovered a website designed just for this purpose.
Bracebridge Triathalon
Once again, another great event in Muskoka – this one in Bracebridge.
Chris came in 12th in his category – superb, inspirational!
And once again exceptionally managed by MultiSport Canada
Between being at the savedbybikes.com and working at the Boston Pizza on Lake Muskoka (to and from where he rides an orange STRiDA), Chris had almost no time to train but really makes it look easy.
And apparently he has fun doing it:
STRiDA folding bike contest
As I mentioned in previous posts CP24 Breakfast will be giving away a STRiDA 5.0 folding bike on Friday. All this week watch for the bike going across the screen at random times. When it does, note the time then go to CP24 Breakfast and enter the time to enter for Friday’s draw.
Here’s a sample of what to watch for:
Win a STRiDA Folding Bike Next Week on CP24 Breakfast
Tune in to CP24 Breakfast on Monday, and all week. You’ll have a chance to win a STRiDA 5.0 Gloss Black folding bike on Toronto’s CP24 Breakfast morning television news & entertainment show.
On Monday, we will have a commuter race: one commuter armed with a STRiDA folding bike and the GO train (commuter train) racing against Cam Woolley from Barrie to the studio on Queen St. in Toronto.
All through the week during the broadcast, you’ll have chances to email in to win a STRiDA.
On Friday we’ll be back and we will have someone new to bikes riding a STRiDA.
