Bike Omaha

Hello: I am working on campaign to make wooden tr...

2009-11-08T15:35:12.178-06:00

Hello:

I am working on campaign to make wooden trail bridges at Lake Zorinski safer. I know many bikers who have been seriously injured on the wooden bridges. (The bridges can be dangerously slick from dew or after a rain and you can't tell they are slick.)

If you or someone you know has crashed on the wooden bridges at Lake Z., please email me at Roco101@aol.com. (If you wish to remain anonymous, your name will never be used pubically.) I'd like to know the date and location of the crash and the nature of your injuries.

To date, bikers have suffered broken hips and arms, skull fractures, and shoulder separations.

I'm also seeking suggestions for other places to post this message. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Roco101
West O.

is there anywhere to see the class intended for th...

2009-11-08T14:07:35.541-06:00

is there anywhere to see the class intended for these streets? is it all going to be II, or is the usage of "route" meant to signify primarily class III?

Regardless, it's a good step forward once it's in place.

Poor west o.

So awesome! Glad I was able to stop by and see it...

2009-11-05T09:16:51.856-06:00

So awesome! Glad I was able to stop by and see it come alive. Can't wait to see it in action!

Please note the correction to our post. Apparently...

2009-11-04T09:52:25.491-06:00

Please note the correction to our post. Apparently there was some confusion as to the charges vs. the plea.

The incident is not in question, however, and we are glad that justice was served! There is still potential press coming about the issue of road rage directed at cyclists.

Sorry for the confusion, but still glad for the outcome!

We're working on getting more official details; we...

2009-11-03T13:03:14.717-06:00

We're working on getting more official details; we have been contacted by a reporter and are working to get them connected with Ben. I'm not sure if there has been any press about this before now.

This is really Ben's story to tell. If there isn't any "official" press coverage, we'll see if he's comfortable doing something for the blog.

I am somewhat blown away that I never heard anythi...

2009-11-03T12:49:33.926-06:00

I am somewhat blown away that I never heard anything on this. I don't follow news, but this went unnoticed to me until today.

I am glad to hear this came out to a "Victory," but I wish I knew more of the situation and what all went down. -As this may help me keep my cool in such a situation. For example what would be considered provoking a person in a large metal vehicle? I ride fast, and I ride hard. I consider traffic fun, but I still follow rules. I can't figure out what would be considered provoking.

Is there more info on this somewhere?

Scott, you're absolutely right. Hopefully activate...

2009-11-02T23:31:39.566-06:00

Scott, you're absolutely right. Hopefully activate Omaha or an advocate with more info can draft a formal release (heck, even Ben?).

I also agree that somebody should confront Tom about the climate of incivility he helped engender over the past year. Definitely reprehensible. Absolutely contradictory to the law, and this was what was emphasized in local court today (though that there could be any doubt about the judge's recognition of state law is scary!)

This could generate significant public awareness, as well as impart some weight behind efforts to get more than a few blocks of bike lanes. Thank you to anyone who can make anything like that happen.

Maybe Activate Omaha could craft a press release t...

2009-11-02T22:28:13.100-06:00

Maybe Activate Omaha could craft a press release to send to the media.

For what it's worth, I did submit some info to WOWT and the World-Herald, but an official press release would carry more weight.

I wonder if Tom Becka would like to talk about this. He all but rallies people to this kind of behavior. Heck, maybe the felon was listening to Becka at the time.

Brilliant! Bravo Ben. Agreeing with Erik...we need...

2009-11-02T20:14:32.535-06:00

Brilliant!
Bravo Ben.
Agreeing with Erik...we need to be knocking down our local media's doors with this.

a press release is needed, this needs to be covere...

2009-11-02T19:59:20.023-06:00

a press release is needed, this needs to be covered well to help improve things for all cyclists who put up with ignorance everyday at the risk of their lives.

i'm glad ben is ok, hopefully if he needs compensation that can be addressed in claims court.

Sweet outcome to a messed up situation. Now we ju...

2009-11-02T18:18:50.596-06:00

Sweet outcome to a messed up situation. Now we just need get drivers to stop hitting cyclists - three of my friends in just the last month.

Forgot to add: Ben did not receive any monetary d...

2009-11-02T18:06:49.384-06:00

Forgot to add: Ben did not receive any monetary damages. Ironically, he was, however, eligible to be reimbursed for his mileage to get to court. Naturally, Ben rode his bike. :) Small price to pay for affirmation!?

Good luck. I don't think that I will be able to s...

2009-11-01T10:14:49.570-06:00

Good luck. I don't think that I will be able to show.

"Bicycle Diaries" by David Byrne formerly of Talki...

2009-11-01T00:08:00.695-05:00

"Bicycle Diaries" by David Byrne formerly of Talking Heads. I read the Intro in Barnes & Noble tonight and bought the book. He's been using a bike since the early 80's to get around different cities.

Some quotes from Intro:
By the late 80's I'd discovered folding bikes, and as my work and curiosity took me to various parts of the world, I usually took one along. That same sense of liberation I experienced in New York recurred as I pedaled around many of the world's principal cities. I felt more connected to the life on the streets than I would have inside a car or in some form of public transport ... (1,2)

This point of view -- faster than a walk, slower than a train, often slightly higher than a person -- became my panoramic window on much of the world over the last thirty years -- and still is. (2)

Cities, it occurred to me, are physical manifestations of our deepest beliefs and our often unconscious thoughts, not so much as individuals, but as the social animals we are. A cognitive scientist need only look at what we have made -- the hives we have created -- to know what we think and what we believe to be important, as well as how we structure those thoughts and beliefs. (2)

Each chapter in this book focuses on a different city ... (3)

I myself find that the physical sensation of self-powered transport coupled with the feeling of self-control endemic to this two wheeled situation is nicely empowering and reassuring, even if temporary, and it is enough to center me for the rest of the day.
It sounds like some form of meditation, and in a way it is. (4)

Contents:
Intro
American Cities

Most U.S. cities are not very bike-friendly. They're not very pedestrian-friendly either. In most of these cities one could say that the machines have won. Lives, city planning, budgets, and time are all focused around the automobile. It's long-term unsustainable and short-term lousy living. (7)

Berlin
Istanbul
Buenos Aires
Manila
Sydney
London
San Francisco
New York
Epilogue: The Future of Getting Around
Appendix
Additional New York City Bike Rack Designs by David Byrne

I think this book will reveal how
riding bikes improves more than your physical well being, it changes your world view.

Ride. Be seen on the bike, on the streets. Shrug...

2009-10-30T18:40:32.559-05:00

Ride.

Be seen on the bike, on the streets.

Shrug off comments like, "That must be hard," and "You're hard core." Choosing to commute by bike is just choosing another way to get to work.

Even if you're taking a bus, bring the bike along as a conversation starter. If the bus breaks down, you've got backup transportation.

Ride.

As the event organizer I can tell you that this ye...

2009-10-30T11:41:03.256-05:00

As the event organizer I can tell you that this year will be a ton of fun. Competitors at last years event seemed to thouroughly enjoy themselves. This year will have even more challenges and checkpoints as well as a few twists. Another change to this year's event is that there is no mandatory entry fee. The race is FREE! If you have fun and feel like contributing to the race fund to cover expenses, then donations are being accepted. We have a lot of great prizes from the Bike Way and High Gear bikes shops as well as PowerBar. I hope to see you all there! For more details see https://spooksonspokes.blogspot.com

I bought it last week on Amazon and just got it. C...

2009-10-27T23:01:49.539-05:00

I bought it last week on Amazon and just got it. Can't wait to dig in!

I'm done reading the copy Julie is loaning out. W...

2009-10-27T17:40:52.195-05:00

I'm done reading the copy Julie is loaning out. Who gets it next?

I especially liked Chapter 8 and the observations about how our communities are often developed in such a way that there is no reason to get out and walk/bike. IE, there are no destinations to walk/bike to. I can’t do it justice here, but read the book if you haven’t, even if you not a bike person. There are so many obviously bad aspect (along with the good) about leaving in the suburbs that we often don’t even realize.

I've been to Portland (my Brother-in-law lives there) and while we were there we would walk down the street to a coffee shop, or over to the local mom/pop pet store, or to his car mechanic a few blocks over. We didn't even think of driving when the destinations were so close. But in my neighborhood (in the suburbs pretty much) I have no such destination within walking distance.

After reading this book, and realizing that the more time my kids spend in a car, the more likely it is that my kids will die in a car, I almost want to move into the city where it's safer. Even a city with a high crime rate can't offset the inherent dangers of spending a lot of time in a car driving to/from the suburbs. Not to mention that the sedentary life-style that the suburbs encourage is bad for my health and the health of my family.

Plus, I’d love not having to mow a lawn, but that is another story.

That USA Today article was extremely poor journali...

2009-10-27T17:21:58.869-05:00

That USA Today article was extremely poor journalism. However, even with all the cyclist hate-speech showing up in the comments, the pro-cyclist comments were usually spot on and very calm and rational. Plus, they seem to be the only comments that were getting any recommendations from other readers.

Thoughts: This may be the first time I agree with...

2009-10-27T14:38:45.706-05:00

Thoughts:

This may be the first time I agree with Newt Gringrich.

I'm so miffed with the USA Today article. Miffed at the title, miffed at the content, miffed that the author is their automobile writer. Grrr. I should stop now.

I love Jeff Mapes!

Julie, Thanks for circulating the book! I found th...

2009-10-27T13:46:54.146-05:00

Julie, Thanks for circulating the book! I found the numerous examples of change in the bicycle community enlightening. Omaha has many friends on the road to cycling heaven.

If you've never visited CBSO. It's a great facili...

2009-10-27T13:21:38.918-05:00

If you've never visited CBSO. It's a great facility with all the tools you need to work on bikes. You can even teach others how to work on bikes if that's your thing.

I've used the CBSO facilities to help me build 2 different bikes over the last 2 years.

Great job by the CBSO. I love the spirit in that s...

2009-10-24T09:02:42.302-05:00

Great job by the CBSO. I love the spirit in that shop and in that neighborhood!

I'm putting a Friend of CBSO donation on my list of Christmas "in lieu of gift" ideas!

Thanks for the review, Dale. I really wish I coul...

2009-10-23T11:41:23.306-05:00

Thanks for the review, Dale. I really wish I could have made the downtown to CB trip. I didn't get off work till 7pm, so I was out of luck.

And yes, I agree there was little bits of ice in the rain. Quite stingy on the face.

The cool, cloudy, light drizzle/rain we had the pa...

2009-10-23T11:31:44.984-05:00

The cool, cloudy, light drizzle/rain we had the past two days is typical winter weather in Amsterdam.

A fendered bike, good lights, some rain clothing, and commuting is very doable.

Dan and I rode about 5 miles to Oakview 24 last night. Tried rainbooties for first time and they worked well. For the return trip into the north wind, added another layer under the rain jacket, warmer headcover (bellaclava) and gloves. We think there was small ice in the drops because they did sting a little on the face.

But the ride was surprisingly enjoyable, especially sharing the experience with another biker. Different weather is like riding in different places around the world. Think of how many climates we can ride in and not leave Omaha.

The most difficult thing was seeing the 144th st sidepath. Lights from on coming traffic; rain speckled glasses; dark, wet leaves over the cement not reflecting the light. I felt my 85 lumin commuter light was a little dim on steady mode.

The movie was professional caliber and well done. Gave a good impression of what it is like to race the Leadville Trail. And several Omaha racers made camio appearances.