Woman gives up her Honda for a bike

Loved this story about a woman's conversion to bicycle commuting. It's from the Orlando Sentinel.

Don't get snowed by single-file thinking

There's been a flurry of reports that Jupiter Island was trying to crack down on bicyclists riding together by requiring that the groups stay small and the riders in single file. Mighk Wilson checks in with some practical advice for anyone tempted to try to stay out of trouble by riding as far to the right as possible. Most Spokes 'n' Folks readers know that such a one-rule-fits-all solution would be unwise. Mighk explains why, at his blog Bicycling is Better.

Bike ballet shows up street wheelies

Our friends at Mack Cycle and Fitness pass along this entertaining clip, with the note, "you think you can ride a bike:"
The video is from a competition in Heerlen, Holland.

BikeTown winners a happy lot

Thirty South Floridians went home with new Jamis commuter bicycles today after Bicycling magazine brought its BikeTown USA promotion back to Miami's Bayfront Park. The bikes were presented to people who wrote winning essays about how a new bicycle would change their lives. And in many ways, the event was a celebration of how bicycling -- the sport, the daily activity -- is changing Miami's life as a city.

This is the magazine, remember, that about a year ago pronounced our town one of the worst in the country for bicycling. It was a joy to hear the magazine's senior editor Emilia Furia say, "We have yet to get a single complaint from the City of Miami -- and we now realize it's because the city was busy taking action" to become the kind of bicycle-friendly place its climate and terrain call for.

So congratulations, all you happy Jamis winners. And thanks to Bicycling, and to MetLife, for helping grow the bicycle life. You can read more at The Miami Herald, including some of the winning essays.

Got an idea for planners? Here's where to share it

Miami-Dade County is updating its Comprehensive Development Master Plan, as it does every seven years. At a series of five meetings starting tonight, the public can learn about the plan and contribute ideas. All the meetings run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and here are the times and places:

• Monday, Aug. 24, MLK Center, 2525 NW 62nd St., 2nd floor.
• Tuesday, Aug. 25, West Kendall Regional Library, 10201 Hammocks Blvd.
• Wednesday, Aug. 26, Miami Lakes Library, 6699 Windmill Gate Road.
• Thursday, Aug. 27, South Dade Government Center, 10710 SW 211th St.
• Monday, Aug. 31, West Dade Regional Library, 9445 Coral Way.

You can also explore the process, and contribute ideas, at the Evaluation and Appraisal Report website.

Bash to open bike season

You like to ride? Like beer and barbecue? Like the beach? Better save Oct. 18 on your calendar for the Florida Bicycle Association's Bike BBQ Beer Beach Bash -- a family-friendly fundraiser for the FBA's Share the Road program. Besides the 70-mile ride on scenic Route A1A and the 30-mile family ride, there'll be a new Trek bike given away, as well as balloons and snowcones for the kids.

To claim your spot, click on zMotion, the bicycle team of Zimmerman Advertising, and sign up.

Motorist behaving badly

Cyclist and blogger Felipe Azenha saw a certain dark blue American car cut off cyclists on Virginia Key yesterday, then the passenger swing his door open in an apparent attempt to hit the riders. If you'll click on Transit Miami you can read the car's license number and the rest of the incident. Thanks, Felipe, for blowing the whistle.

Staying safe on the road

When cars and bikes collide, it's usually the car's driver that caused it. That's what a Canadian physician (and cyclist), Chris Cavacuiti, found in research he began while recuperating from being hit by a truck. In an interview with Beth McIlroy, Dr. Cavacuiti also said:

Cycling health and safety isn’t just a matter of saying ‘let’s be safe’ and ‘let’s share the road’—but recognizing that more and better infrastructure investment is essential in keeping cyclists safe. By infrastructure, I mean things like shared or designated roadways and paths, traffic calming measures, increased public education, provision of safe storage facilities and other equipment that makes cycling a safe, convenient travel choice.

Research shows, perhaps not surprisingly, that countries and communities with more investment in cycling infrastructure have higher levels of cycling and lower accident and fatality rates among vulnerable road users—cyclists and pedestrians.

There's more from the doctor, and some interesting comments, at Experience Research.

Some triathletes start young

Have you ever watched or run in a Hatchling Triathlon? This age-graded swim-bike-run event, for kids of ages 5 to 17, happens Sunday, Aug. 23, at Tamiami Park, 11201 SW 24th St., Miami. There's more information at Hatchlings.

Bike-to-school mom shares her story

A tip of the helmet to independent writer Dina Weinstein for her readable piece in the current American Bicyclist about her daily bike ride to school and back with her sons, ages 6 and 8, through Miami's formidable traffic. With local public schools resuming class next week, her timing couldn't be better:

"The parent-generated traffic is significant. We see one or two kids sitting in the back of their mom and dad's SUVs. Traffic is backed up for miles. It takes just about five minutes more to bike my two sons to school than it does to drive. Despite the dangers, the benefits outweigh the risks."

The magazine is one benefit of belonging to the League of American Bicyclists, which has been looking out for cyclists' welfare since the dirt-road days when bikes outnumbered motor cars.

This is also a good time to mention that on Oct. 7, many parents and educators will observe observe worldwide Walk and Bike to School Day. Read more about it here. In the same vein, you might also like to find out about Florida's Safe Routes to School Program. Then ask your children's teachers if they're participating.

Miami bicycle plans looking good

The Miami Bicycle Master Plan is taking shape nicely, it appeared from Mike Lydon's presentation last night at Grapeland Heights Park. A crowd of 52, mostly cyclists, had many comments about how much needs to be done, both in physical facilities and in education of the riding and driving public. The plan, if carried out, will do a lot to meet those needs.

Mayor Manny Diaz, far left, showed up to take a bow for his bicycle initiative and thank the cyclists who have supported it. "We've come a long way," Diaz said, "because of the pressure you're putting on your elected officials to do the right thing."

One rider wondered where the money to carry out the plan will come from, in today's stressed economy. Lydon, near left, answered that Portland, Ore., considered by many to be America's most bike-friendly city, has spent $10 million a year recently to carry out its own bicycle plan. "It's not all that hard to put together $10 million from various sources," he said.

The Miami plans will get one more public airing, probably on Sept. 21, before going to the City Commission in October. Lydon, of the planning firm Street Plans Collaborative, stressed the importance of cyclists staying involved in Miami's plans and others throughout the county. "If the people in this room . . . keep the pressure on, you can get things done," Lydon said.

One good way to be involved is to join and support Green Mobility Network, which sparked the Miami process when it approached Mayor Diaz nearly two years ago and followed up with an armful of proposals for improving the city's streets and other bike-related facilities. Diaz and his team deserve warm thanks for what's been done, but the mayor's term winds down this fall. We'll need to be alert and involved going forward.

About that Boca incident

Orlando ride leader Hal Downing tut-tuts over the wasted testosterone in that confrontation on A1A the other day. He offers level-headed advice at the Orlando Sentinel (scroll downpage).

Cyclists tangle with Lexus driver

On cyclist-popular A1A last week, a motorist angered a group of cyclists. The man's Lexus got dented and one of the riders was charged with assault. Read more in the Sun-Sentinel.

Riding to Shenandoah

Bike Miami Rides resume on Sunday, Aug. 23, with an excursion starting at Mary Brickell Village -- S. Miami Avenue and 10th Street. Cyclists should assemble between 8 and 8:30 a.m. in the square behind Starbucks, and the escorted ride will head out to the Shenandoah and Silver Bluff neighborhoods, returning by noon. You can learn more, and announce your plans to participate, at Facebook.

Biking's big in the big city

The Associated Press, and Newsday, take note of bicycling's growth in New York City: Biking 'fastest growing' way to get around NYC.

Meanwhile, the Daily News frets about danger to pedestrians as bicycling spreads.

Post finds bicycling good for capital

I've observed with admiration the growth of bicycling and bike facilities in Washington, D.C. Things are going so well that a Washington Post editorial speaks of Pedalmania in the District.

New ride for women starts in Grove

Jennifer Lane announces a weekly women's ride to Key Biscayne. The cyclists rendezvous at 6:30 a.m. Fridays at Johnny Rockets in Coconut Grove. Oh, yes, some guys go along, too.

Ask George about Florida bicycle laws

Congratulations to George Martin on his new blog, Florida Bicycle Law, part of his continuing project of helping educate law enforcement about bicyclists' legal rights and responsibilities. It's good reading for civilians as well, and you'll often find it here in the right sidebar, under the headling Blogs we like.

Working on the M-Path

Morning commuter Liz Warriner snapped this cellphone shot of work on the M-Path early today near Vizcaya Station. It's good to see this follow-through by Miami-Dade Transit.

City Commission rejects Miami 21

The long-debated Miami 21 zoning overhaul fell by the wayside last night as Miami Commissioner Joe Sanchez joined longtime critic and fellow Commissioner Tomás Regalado in voting against it. There remain several avenues for improving bicycling in the city, however. If anything, we may be able to focus more clearly on our needs. For more about the City Commission decision, see Charles Rabin's piece in The Miami Herald.

Tijuana cyclists ride for safe streets

For a change, encouraging news from the dangerous streets of Tijuana, in a report from NPR's Morning Edition.

Bike coordinator backs Miami 21

A note from Collin Worth, the City of Miami's bicycle coordinator:

"From a transportation perspective, Miami 21 represents a transit-oriented plan, allocating density to existing transit infrastructure. It recognizes the need and importance of planning and accommodating bicycle infrastructure as an alternative mode of transportation. It supports bicycle parking in buildings. It is a leap from the autocentric planning that has created much conflict for cyclists and pedestrians."

As you may know, the City Commission takes up this land use zoning code on first reading Thursday at 2 p.m. Friends and opponents of the proposal expect they'll get a chance to speak.

Miami 21 going before City Commission

One reason American urbanites have trouble making the bicycle a part of their daily life is that for three-quarters of a century our cities have been shaped by rules that encouraged sprawl and an over-reliance on personal motor cars. For the past few years, planners in Miami have been working out a new set of regulations meant to bring about smarter land use and more livable cities. The proposed new rules are called Miami 21, and if they're adopted they'll establish walkability and provisions for bicycling on a par with motor traffic.

This new set of zoning regulations goes before the Miami City Commission at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6. This will be the first reading for the ordinance -- and perhaps the last good chance to express your views in public before the commission votes on it.

Here's the Commission agenda.
And in case you can't attend on Thursday, here's where to contact Commission members.