Crazy winter

I'm probably not the only one that has noticed how crazy the weather has been this winter.  I don't remember EVER seeing so many days above 50º in January, and now February.  Yeah, we got a pretty good snow storm in early February, but a week later and most of it has melted off.

So what does that mean for all you transportation cyclists?  It means that there are very few excuses for not getting your butt out there and riding.  So suck it up, slap some fenders on your bike, and get going.  You'll be glad you did.  Just watch out for those potholes as the better weather has not kept them at bay.

Hopefully we will not see much more of this for a while.

I'm back... now where did I put my Balaclava?

If you are wondering who I am, my name is Bob Brindamour.  I have been a "Transportation Cyclist", off and on, for nearly a decade.  If you read the older posts on this website you will notice that this blog was, at one time, directly affiliated with Omaha Bikes.  Omaha Bikes continues to live on, but I am re-claiming this blog for use by myself and a few other "Transportation Cyclists".  If you use your bike as a form of transportation, and want to share your experiences, just let me know (leave a comment).  I would be happy to consider adding you to the active authors list for this blog.

So feel free to take a look at many of the excellent posts below, but if you are looking for Omaha Bikes, you will need to visit their website HERE.

So let's get this blog kick started.  If you're out there riding in the cold, send me a winter cycling picture of you and/or your bike.  Just don't break your neck trying to take a selfie while riding your bike down Dodge street in a snow storm.  Please observe safe selfie guidlines.

If you want some motivation, take a look at some of the pictures that "parts.and.labor" has posted over on Instagram.

Volunteer for Bike Valet at MAHA! (Saturday, August 11th)

The MAHA Music Festival, taking place Saturday, August 11th, 2012 is now in its fourth year and expects its largest crowd ever. Over 4,000 people are expected to attend the show at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village to see more than a dozen acts, including co-headliners Garbage and The Desaparecidos. Locating the concert next the to Keystone Trail as well as near neighborhoods with many active cyclists, MAHA planners hope to see and want to accomodate bicycling as a way of getting to this concert.

Come help us support the festival by volunteering for one or more two-hour shifts. SIGN UP ONLINE HERE. The expected lineup is posted below (from the MAHA website) in case you have tickets and want to check out a band before or after your shift.

Noon		Gates Open
12:10	Centris Stage	The Seen
12:45	Weitz Funds Stage	Conduits
1:30	Centris Stage	Eli Mardock
2:05	Weitz Funds Stage	Frontier Ruckus
2:55	Centris Stage	Universe Contest
3:30	Weitz Funds Stage	Josh Rouse
4:35	Centris Stage	UUVVWWZ
5:10	Weitz Funds Stage	Dum Dum Girls
6:15	Centris Stage	The Mynabirds
7:00	Weitz Funds Stage	Delta Spirit
8:10	Centris Stage	Icky Blossoms
9:10	Weitz Funds Stage	Garbage
10:40	Weitz Funds Stage	Desaparecidos
Midnight		Show Over – See you in 2013!

All times are approximate | Lineup is subject to change

Bike Valet Volunteers Needed Saturday!!

Omaha Bikes will be providing valet bike parking at the Playing with Fire concert on Saturday, July 28 from 3:30pm-11:30pm. We have four 2-hour shifts available. (sign up for multiple if you want to hang longer!)  Click HERE to sign up!

ALL VOLUNTEERS WILL BE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR 2 TICKETS TO THE MAHA MUSIC FESTIVAL!!

The valet will be located near Rick's Boatyard Cafe, and volunteers will be able to hear the music.  Also, each volunteer will receive 1 drink ticket to be used at the Adult Beverage Site. :)  Once bikes have arrived, volunteers can take turns checking out the scene.

If you are interested in helping with future bike valet opportunities, mark your calendars now for the MAHA Music Festival, which will be held in Stinson Park, on August 11.

Use of Metro Transit racks continues to skyrocket

Note: This entry is being cross-posted by Patrick McAtee from the Verdis Group blog. Patrick is president of Omaha Bikes and is also a senior associate at Verdis Group, a company that integrates sustainable solutions to help organizations flourish.

Omaha's Metro Transit rolled out bike racks on its buses in September 2008. The racks were installed on every bus in the fleet using federal stimulus money. Every bus is equipped with a rack that can carry up to two bikes, and there is no extra charge to use them. If you've never used the racks, you can find "Bike & Ride" instructions on Metro's website.

Metro has been tracking how many bikes it carries since it installed the racks, and the data is staggering. When looking at year-to-date numbers through June, 2012 has seen nearly twice as many bikes on the racks as 2011, and Metro buses have already carried more bikes so far in 2012 (7,269) than in all of 2010 (7,021). The graph below shows the number of bikes on the bus racks from January through June in the past four years:

(link to download: Metro Transit Rack Use YTD Comparison)

Three of the four highest-use months in the past four years were April 2012 (#4), May 2012 (#1), and June 2012 (#2). If past years are any indication, the rest of 2012 should also be phenomenal. The graph below shows monthly bike rack use for the past four years. In 2009, 2010, and 2011, use of the racks peaked in August or September. May 2012 appears to have been a peak (2012 is the first year that June was lower than May). However, with the continued heat wave and more and more individuals familiar with how to use the racks, I expect we'll see, for the first time, a month with more than 2,000 bikes by the end of the year.

(link to download: Metro Transit Rack Use Monthly Comparison)

Keep on riding and thank you to Metro for supporting multi-modal transportation options!

Meeting Reminder

Reminder: Omaha Bikes' next meeting is this coming Tuesday, July 10, at 5:30pm in UNO's Mammel Hall room 228H.

The room is located in the accounting office suites, which have two entrances. If you arrive and the door is locked, please call Four 0 Two-913-Four Four 0 Six.

Handlebar Happy Hour - LIV Lounge

The next Omaha Bikes Handlebar Happy Hour (HHH) is Tuesday, June 26, 5:00 PM at The LIV Lounge, 2285 So. 67th St, Aksarben Village.

The goal of the HHH is to relax and have some fun, but more importantly intended to strengthen the cycling community. Cyclists are encouraged to gather, share information, make new friends and socialize. As we become better acquainted, we hope to tap into the collective energy and talents of the cycling community to help us continue to make Omaha a more bicycle friendly city.

GET WELL, KELLY!!!!

If you have ever participated in a charity bike ride of any kind, you have surely encountered the greatest SAG mechanic on the planet, the Bike Rack's very own Kelly Smith. If you know Kelly (or "Quadzilla," as we affectionately know him), you will also not be surprised when we tell you that he recently RODE HIS BIKE to the doctor when he wasn't feeling quite right... after which he was diagnosed with some heart abnormalities and put in the hospital for some surgery. Thankfully, he's recovering, and may be the first cardiac patient in history to not need any follow up physical therapy, due to his incredible fitness level. :)

 We would love for the cycling community to show him the same amount of love that he shows his customers every single day - a tall order, to be sure. Please send your cards and well wishes to Kelly c/o the Bike Rack, 14510 Eagle Run Dr, Omaha, NE 68116

Bike to the Ballpark Sign Up!

Update to the previous post:  Thanks to Activate Omaha SuperIntern Lisa, we have a really slick online sign up system for B2BP volunteers this year!  Visit this website, create an account (takes 1 min or less) and then click on the days you'd like to help.

If last year was any indication, we'll be very busy - so please consider covering a shift or two.

College World Series "Bike to the Ballpark" 2012 - Volunteers Needed

The NCAA Men's College World Series starts this week with the opening ceremonies on Thursday, June 14, which means it is once again time for Activate Omaha and Omaha Bikes' annual "Bike to the Ballpark"!

Bike to the Ballpark started in 2011 with the move of the CWS to TD Ameritrade Park and was a huge success. The fun service continues this year to support people riding to the stadium for the opening ceremonies and all of the games through the championship on June 25th or 26th.

Volunteers are needed to help with the valet bike parking. Games are at 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Check your schedule to see if there is a time you can help. This year you will be able to sign up online for a time slot to volunteer. Check back in the next couple of days for link to sign up!

Thanks!

Omaha Bikes' 2012 Meeting Dates

Omaha Bikes' next meeting is July 10 at 5:30pm in UNO's Mammel Hall room 228H. Mammel Hall is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of 67th and Pine in the Aksarben area.

Future Omaha Bikes meetings are planned for the second Tuesday of each month, same time and location. Mark your calendar for these dates:

July 10

August 14

September 11

October 9

November 13

December 11

Although we normally meet on the second Tuesday, there is no Omaha Bikes meeting tomorrow night, June 12th. However, if you'd like to join Mode Shift Omaha they will be meeting tomorrow night in Mammel Hall room 228H at 7:00pm.

Bike the Border 2012 - A Great Cycling Tour in North Dakota

Omaha Bikes is posting this announcement on behalf of Greg Yates of Bellevue, Nebraska:


I am a bicycling enthusiast in Bellevue and am helping the organizer of the "Bike the Border" bicycling tour spread the word to other cyclists/runners here in Nebraska.  Please forward/distribute this message to your members and customers to make them aware of this cycling tour.  If your bike shop has a bulletin board, please post a copy of this email or the home page from the tour's website listed below.

Event:  Bike the Border 3-day cycling tour
Dates: June 15-17
Location Bottineau, ND (north central part of the state) and surrounding towns - route changes every year
Tour Distance:  Approx 145-160 miles, depending on route option
Registration fee:  $75 (website's Registration Instructions details what is included)
Registration date:  Register by June 1, 2012, to ensure getting the t-shirt (you can also register later)
Website:  www.biketheborder.com

This biking tour (not a race) has been going on for about 10 years, normally has around 100 riders, and the organizers would like to increase registration up to 150 riders.  I did it in 2010 and 2011 and am registered to do it again next month.  The terrain is mostly flat and I have seen riders less than 10 years old and over 75 years old on the route, so it's meant as a recreational ride for anyone.  The event organizers and volunteers really do provide exceptional hospitality and there is usually a contingent of Canadians on the tour, and they are a very sociable group.

See the event's website (above) for detailed info that will answer the majority of your questions.  If the website info still leaves your question(s) unanswered, you can email event organizer Barb Otto at biketheborder@yahoo.com or myself, Greg Yates, atRetiree604@hotmail.com.  I have avoided including any attachments to this message in case your email messaging software program might erroneously perceive this message as spam.

Nebraska Women Cycling 2,000+ Miles For Charity

Two cousins, students, and members of the University of Nebraska Cycling Club are pedaling their bikes from Omaha to Boston to raise money for charity. Yesterday the duo reached Niagra Falls, New York.

Audrey Vacha and Maddy Vacha are riding 2,000 miles in 6 weeks with a goal of raising $5,000 to build a safe drinking water well in Africa. They are on schedule to reach Boston by June 28, 2012.

For more information, call (402) 660-9988, visithttp://mycharitywater.org/p/campaign/?campaign_id=23884  or catch them on their Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/278422205585277/

Pottawattamie County Trail Plan Announcement

There is an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming Pottawattamie County trail system next Saturday, June 16:

Saturday, June 16, Pottawattamie County's proposed trail system will be unveiled at a public announcement at Arrowhead Park near Neola. This is an exciting event for trail enthusiasts in Southwest Iowa and Greater Omaha, and we would like to have a lot of people attend to show their support. You can find more on the trails website or the attached document.

If anybody would like to bike to Arrowhead Park, it's about two miles from Neola on a paved county road. It's also a relatively flat 7.5 miles from Underwood and a more hilly 5.5 miles from Minden. I am planning to ride my bike, and it would be great to have a large group of cyclists in attendance. Please forward to anyone you know in the area who might be interested. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me (lanceDOTbrisboisATgmailDOTcom or FOUR02-THREE50-9267). 

For easy sharing, here's a shortened link to the invite: http://ow.ly/bqyQI

 

Hope to see you there!

--

Lance Brisbois

Western Iowa Development Association

http://www.wida.org/

Omaha Bikes is posting this information on behalf of the Western Iowa Development Association.

Omaha Bikes Meeting, JUNE 5

The next Omaha Bikes meeting is next Tuesday, June 5 at 5:30pm in Mammel Hall room 228h, located at 67th and Pine in the Aksarben area. Thanks to Angie Eikenberry for finding us a nice meeting room!

We originally had moved this meeting from the second to the first Tuesday because we expected the City Council to have its public hearing for the Transportation Master Plan on June 12th.  Now the public hearing is on June 26th.

At this meeting, we will continue our conversation about setting priorities for Omaha Bikes for the coming year, as well as wrap up some existing business.

Meeting Agenda:
1. Update on the TMP
2. Omaha Bikes' website (hope to demonstrate at the meeting)
3. Valet Bike Parking Program development
4. "Ciclovia Omaha"
5. Where to take Omaha Bikes in the future
6. Post-meeting group ride (any suggestions?)

Cyclist in ICU, Result of Keystone Prankster

If anyone saw suspicious activity Saturday night near RR bridge (south of Q st) between 8-10pm please call Omaha Police.

A log was maliciously placed on the Keystone bike bath, a cyclist crashed and is in the hospital in serious condition with multiple face/jaw fractures as a result. Be wary as you ride through this section of Keystone trail.

Matt Martin Send-Off Pot Luck

The Omaha bicycling community will be losing a tremendous asset next month when Matt Martin, the executive director of the Community Bike Project, moves to Portland, Oregon. Omaha Bikes is co-sponsoring a "going away" pot luck to say thank you to Matt and his contributions to bicycling in Omaha.

The pot luck will be behind the Community Bike Shop (525 N. 33rd Street) on Thursday May 31, from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Since Matt is a vegetarian, we're going to make this a vegetarian pot luck: Bring salad, chips, dessert, or something vegetarian for the grill. The more the merrier!

"We are ALL traffic!"

Omaha may not be as big as Brussels, but we have a lot in common. Omaha has a VERY car oriented traffic design and most of the design decisions currently made, regarding our city streets, promote car traffic over ALL OTHER forms of transportation. We know this needs to change if only to enable Omaha to continue to grow without strangling itself with the cost of road development, expansion, and repair.

The last quote does a great job of clarifying the issue.

It's not that it's ME and traffic.  I AM the traffic.  You are the traffic.  Somebody who walks there, somebody who drives a car there, and somebody who drives with a bike.  We are ALL traffic.

Enjoy and feel free to send a link to this video to all of your "traffic" friends.

Handlebar Happy Hour - J.Coco's

This month's HHH will be hosted by:
- J.Coco 
- 5203 Leavenworth St.
- Tuesday, May 22nd, 5:00 PM

OmahaBikes schedules Handlebar Happy Hours (HHH) typically on the 4th Tuesday of every month for cyclists to gather, share information, make new friends and socialize. We strive to select businesses that are friendly to bicyclists, and are located in different regions of the city. 

One of the goals of the HHHs is to relax and have some fun, but the HHHs are also intended to strengthen the cycling community. As we become better acquainted, we hope to tap into the collective energy and talents of the cycling community to help us continue to make Omaha a more bicycle friendly city.

OmahaBikes representatives will share information from 5:00 to 6:00 PM on our vision, mission and objectives. HHH participants are welcome to stay as long as they like and are responsible for their own purchases.

http://jcocoomaha.com/ja.html

THE RIDE OF SILENCE

The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured. See http://www.rideofsilence.org/ for more details.

Wednesday, May 16 at 7:00 PM. Motorcycle Escort provided by city and county police. Meet at the West Papio Trail Head, located at 3602 Raynor Parkway, Bellevue, NE, just north of Culver's Restaurant.