Almost Spring Again in the Midwest!

It has been a long slow winter here in the Midwest. It snowed here in Ohio for the last two days. I know it's April it should be done, but that's Ohio for you!

I'm ready to dust off my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket and hit the trails. This year feels really good, maybe it's all the press on going green and people starting to take a serious look at cycling as a real form of transportation, whatever it is the mood is up!

My next strong goal is to design and build a hand and foot pedaled cycle.

Good News on Financial Front!

TRAILS, WALKING AND BIKING EARN $825 MILLION IN STIMULUS TO SPARK JOBS, ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Washington, D.C.—Today, President Obama signed into law an economic recovery package that contains $825 million in funding for Transportation Enhancements. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) applauds Congress for its foresight in recognizing the job creation benefits of building bicycling and walking infrastructure, including trails. While representing less than two percent of transportation funding in the bill, this investment could create tens of thousands of jobs and critical active transportation connections that communities need.Transportation Enhancements (TE) is the nation's largest federal funding source for trails, walking and bicycling and a long-standing program that has historically enjoyed bi-partisan support. Its place within the stimulus package, however, heralds a transition in thinking among elected leaders who once viewed active transportation projects as niceties and now know them to be necessities for a balanced transportation system and a robust economy. "We are very pleased with Congress for recognizing the wisdom of investing in active transportation," says Kevin Mills, RTC vice president of policy. "The immediate job creation will also deliver long-term benefits for communities by reducing traffic congestion, climate emissions, oil dependence and obesity rates." RTC documented this strategy and its implications in its "Active Transportation for America" report, released last October. According to the report, moderate investments in active transportation can yield substantial economic benefits, making bicycling and walking a highly cost-effective choice for policy-makers. "Americans are seeking opportunities to walk and bike more, and drive less, particularly for short trips," says Keith Laughlin, RTC president. "With this funding, more Americans will be able to make that choice." RTC will track the progress communities make in implementing hundreds of ready-to-go projects that will be aided by this recovery funding. Visit www.railstotrails.org/atfa to learn more about the immediate and long-term benefits of funding active transportation.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 members and supporters, is the nation's largest trails organization dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's national office is located in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.railstotrails.org.

I tip my helmet to City of Eugene, Oregon

I simply have to tip my helmet to the City of Eugene and their absolute commitment to cycling as a viable means of public transportation.

Take a look at a snippet of their InMotion newsletter:

A new year is a great time to reflect on and learn from the past and also look to what the future holds for us. In 2009 we have the passage of the Bicycle Commuter Act which allows employers to offer incentives pre-tax to bicycle commuters. We also have the Eugene Walking & Biking Summit on Jan 31st. The theme is Crossroads to the Future as the main topic will be looking forward to the future of active transportation in Eugene and Springfield . Our communities could receive $50 million in federal funding to help build a complete network of safe places to walk and bike and to reduce auto-dependence with the assistance of the Rails to Trails 2010 campaign.

2009 is not just the year to practice active transportation, but to participate in the planning, the implementation of incentives, and to really engage in the future of transportation options. Read on to learn more about transportation in Eugene .

InMotion is a monthly e-newsletter designed to help community members in Eugene with some heart-healthy transportation options and with creating a community where biking, walking, and sharing the ride (carpool or bus) are easy and enjoyable!

In this issue:

FEATURED ARTICLES
2009 Walking and Biking Summit – January 31st
Tax Benefits for Cyclists in 2009

AREA EVENTS
Kidical Mass Ride – Jan 17
Cycle Zone Analysis, A New Bicycle Transportation Planning Tool Jan 21
Walk With Me! How to Walk a Marathon
Spirited Walkers 10th Anniversary!
To subscribe to this innovative newsletter email: peoplepower@ci.eugene.or.us

Save Your Gas, Save Your Legs!

With the price of gas reaching $4 in 2008 and dropping to $1.45 toward the end of the year because of the GW Cheney tank the economy plan, it makes you wonder who’s at the controls.

Well I for one think we need to take more control locally of our own spending. So what if the price of fuel skyrockets again (which it probably will) we can take an active roll in not buying so much.

Atomic Zombie has been a long time advocate for cycling and in particular building your own out of recycled bike parts.

Here’s an ingenious little baby that you can build yourself for CHEAP and it’s electric, too! It's called the Long Ranger Electric Bike. I've posted a picture on the left side of my blog for you to look at.

http://www.atomiczombie.com/product-longranger.htm check out this site for a video of this amazing machine in action!

To check out other plans for recumbents you can build yourself put atomic zombie together and throw a .com on the end.

By the way I don’t have any monetary connection to Atomic Zombie. I just think they are an excellent inexpensive source for super build your own plans. You won't believe their prices on detailed downloadable plans! Very friendly folks, too!

Become Active Locally, Nationally and Globally

It's really surprising to me how much cycling has grown since I was a kid on my single speed Schwinn.

One thing I have always found is that cyclers are a friendly folk and love to talk shop and show off their cycles. So why not take that interest and help spread the word on the benefits of cycling everywhere we are whether we are around home, traveling nationally or globally.

Some of the interesting local cycling hotspots my city of Akron, Ohio recently have been focused on are:

In 2008, the Ohio & Erie Towpath returned to downtown Akron. Our city, whose main streets were built on two canals, now has a direct route for bikers and hikers to the outskirts of Cleveland. Users of the 101-mile Towpath Trail topped two million last year, making it one of the most-visited national park sites in the U.S.

Nationally, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has launched a campaign to get signatures on a petition encouraging President-Elect Obama and Congress to spend transportation dollars on important bicycle and pedestrian projects.

Globally we don't ride nearly as many bikes as the rest of the world for transportation. Many of our cycles may be more technologically advanced but are far fewer in numbers.

So get out there and ride, show off your cycle and talk to people about your passion for cycling and green living! Think globally and act locally!

3-Wheels are Better Than 2

I’ve always enjoyed the feel and comfort of a well built recumbent and in particular I like the stable low feeling of a 3-Wheeled trike.

Not only are they good for your back, but they align your neck as well. You can see around in all directions. You have more hip and low back power to “push” into your pedals.

Greenspeed from downunder has a nice folding model called the GT3 Series II folding trike. There is a great click through on the simple folding process on their website!

My Bike Friday Pocket Rocket

I have been a bicycler since my brothers first perched me on top an old one speed Schwinn and pushed down a gravel road when I was about 6 years old. I love cycling and have just recently, after much research, taken the plunge and purchased my first fully folding bike.

At first I thought it wouldn't "feel right". I was used to a full-sized upright 26 inch road bike. Well I've got to tell you my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket feels and rides like a "big" bike. I rode it about 15 miles the first time out and loved it. I did have the folks at Century Cycle modify the handle bars for me from the racer style bars it came with. Other than that it's sweet! It folds up fairly quickly into a small package for storage or shipping.

I like it a lot!

Norm