For most seasoned utility cyclists, it is generally easy to be a utility cyclist at home. You know the roads, you know where you are going, you know the best routes, you know where to grab a bite to eat or a coffee, you know where to get groceries. You have every detail figured out…
Utility Cycling
The Riveting World of Cycling Legislation
Reading about legislation is generally only slightly more exciting than watching paint dry, but there are some pieces of knowledge that are important for all utility cyclists to understand to ride safely. First, I should point out that laws pertaining to cyclists on the road vary from state to state. As with automobile traffic codes,…
Political Activism by Bike
Using their bodies and their bicycles, groups of people all over the world organize and pedal to support and defend a multitude of political causes. Riding a bicycle for transportation, for deliveries and for recreation is an obvious solution to many of society’s most considerable issues, and political activism through bicycles has become more prevalent…
48 Hours in Austin
Austin, Texas has beckoned me for many years in the form of a college friend who has made Austin her home. And in those years, the only footprints I’ve left in Texas have been carbon–airport layovers, and marathon road trips (where the state was regarded as an enormous obstacle between me and my ultimate destination)….
Urban Trails and Bike Paths, Safe Alternatives or Hidden Perils?
For many utility (and recreational) cyclists, urban trails and paved bike paths are a welcome alternative to riding and commuting on the street with motor traffic. Bike paths can provide worry-free riding away from the woes of unaware motorists. As a child, I first learned how to ride a bike on the local paved bike…
Delicious Deliveries: Food via Bicycle
Food delivery by bicycle is a growing trend in progressive urban areas. In cities like Portland, San Diego and New York City, where local restaurants and food culture are an integral aspect of the cityscape, there is a need to seek out methods of delivery that are more efficient than the traditional sedan with a…
Pedicabs: Hop On In!
On a recent trip to San Diego, CA, for a conference, I was impressed with the enormous number of pedicabs that were carting people around. As a result, I decided it was high time to write a post dedicated to the versatile, human-powered form of transportation that is the cycle rickshaw or pedicab. When we…
The City Hub: People-Managed Bike Share
In March 2010, Revolution Cycles, an independent bicycle retailer in the DC metro area, opened its fifth location. This new shop, the City Hub, is no ordinary bike shop, however. After more than a decade of success in traditional bicycle retail with Revolution Cycles, owners Mike Hamannwright and Santiago Pinkey Gonzalez decided to venture into…
Austin Nominated for VH1 2010 "Do Something City" Award
Austin. As in Texas.Here in Arizona, we have great empathy for our fellow Wild West state. We often find ourselves inadvertently competing to be America’s political punch line. But when you get down to localities and municipalities, there’s a lot about which we can be proud, especially when it comes to cycling culture, and bike-friendliness.This…