Saturday, September 17, 2005

Yellow Bikes

Nicole Sack reports in The Southern Illinoisan:
"As if bicycles painted yellow aren't distinguishable enough, the Saluki Cycles program took the extra step to give their herd of 10 each a name.

The new program was initiated by the Student Environmental Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and is co-sponsored by the Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future, the Bike Surgeon and the SIUC Recreation Center.

The purpose of Saluki Cycles is multi-faceted. It promotes alternative transportation, healthy and active lifestyles and environmental awareness. By biking instead of driving, people get good exercise, save money and reduce fossil fuel emissions, said Kris Schachel director of SICSF.

Students and staff at SIUC can check out the bikes - sort of like they check out a library book.

Organizers are hoping the program catches on and they can add to their fleet. Their goals are mostly practical.

'There is commitment to placing more emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle traffic and less vehicular use in the University's land use plan,' SRC Director Bill McMinn said.

Saluki Cycles has rolled out the fleet of 10 yellow, single speed cruisers that are available for up to two days at a time. They come with helmets, locks and the proper safety accessories such as lights and reflectors.

The program has the support of Carbondale City Councilwoman Sheila Simon, who is an avid cyclist herself.

'Carbondale is mostly flat, making biking easy,' Simon said. 'We also enjoy a climate that allows almost year-round biking. In addition, the community is receptive to increased biking. For example, the city is currently asking for federal funding for more bike path miles.'

Ryan Campbell, a senior in plant biology, received a Campus Ecology fellowship from the National Wildlife Federation, which provided initial funding. Contributions from local individuals made it possible to purchase the bikes and accessories, he said.

The Bike Surgeon co-owners Will Scherschel and Jon Greenstreet were strong and enthusiastic supporters throughout the process as they donated their normal markup to the project and worked with their distributor to get the cruisers at below cost. Their technicians helped assemble and store the bikes before their transfer to the Recreation Center."

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Alert for alert area bicyclists

Carbondale City Council member Shiela Simon wants bicyclists to come to the City Council meeting Tuesday, July 12, to show their support for a TEA Grant for a bike path from North Oakland out to Route 13 on the old railroad track property. . . . There are lots of options for projects we could fund with the grant, so I really want to support this bike path. It appears to be set up so
that it can link with other paths as they develop."

Don Lawrence of the Carbondale Bicycle Club and PCTT member notes that it's "a chance to have greenway-type paths developed for safe recreational biking in the area."

Saturday, July 02, 2005

New Hampshire challenge: Bike or walk to work

Portsmouth Herald Local News: New challenge: Bike or walk to work: "The third annual New Hampshire Bike and Walk to Work Day was observed last month across the state. In declaring the day, Gov. John Lynch encouraged 'all citizens to celebrate by leaving their cars at home and trying a healthy commute on their bicycles or by foot.'

Bike to Work Day was started nationally in 1968 by the League of American Bicyclists. In New Hampshire, Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes and Concord 2020 began organizing events for the day in 2003. This year, SABR partnered with the Granite State Bicycling Alliance and received funding from the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation and the Timberland Company to expand Bike and Walk to Work Day into a statewide event by helping groups in communities around the state organize events.

The goals of Bike and Walk to Work Day are to promote bicycling and walking as healthy and safe ways to get to work and for other short trips, decrease traffic congestion, improve air quality and raise public awareness of the need to improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities around the state.

For details on the Trek Summer Commuter Challenge, or to see photos of events held around the state, visit Seacoast Bikes."

Beer for Bicyclists

The Daily Camera: Cold beer draws after-work cyclists in Broomfield, Colorado: "Ahhh. Nothing like a frosty beer gliding down the throat to cap off a long day at work. Bicyclists from several Interlocken and FlatIron shopping district businesses got an early start on happy hour Wednesday in an after-work beer and wine event offered as part of Bike to Work Day.

In its fifth year in Broomfield, Bike to Work Day attracted about 450 riders. The event saw about 70,000 cyclists across the seven-county Denver-metro area last year, according to the Denver Regional Council of Governments, which coordinates the day each year."

Friday, May 27, 2005


Steve Boros rides his bicycle to work at the City of Carbondale.

Thursday, May 05, 2005

Fewer Bike Messengers

Yahoo! News: Internet Cuts Need for Bike Messengers : "Around the country, high-speed Internet, which allows larger documents to be e-mailed quickly, is beating cyclists in the race for fast and cheap delivery of urgently needed material."

Monday, May 02, 2005

Plans are firming up for this year's event. The Mayor will be releasing a news release about it this week.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005


On the back of a truck in Carbondale.
posted by some guy

Monday, April 25, 2005


Bike Surgeon Grand Re-Opening, April 20.
posted by some guy

Friday, April 22, 2005

Saluki Cycles hoping to start rolling

Daily Egyptian: Saluki Cycles hoping to start rolling: "Students on campus are trying to start a free bicycle-renting service on campus, but are finding themselves in a ditch when it comes to mustering up financial support.

Ryan Campbell, a senior from Batazia studying plant biology, developed the Saluki Cycles program. He received a grant in February to jump-start the idea, which he hopes will allow students, faculty and staff to rent bikes for a two day period at various locations around campus, including the Recreation Center and residence hall area offices."

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Awards and Prizes added for Bike 2 Work Day 3

This year's Bike 2 Work Day, on Friday, May 20 will include one more trophy and two more sponsors. In addition to trophies for the person(s) who travelled farthest to work that day, a trophy will be given to the business that has the most employees use bicyles that day. The trophies will be awarded at a lunch provided by Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole, who promises to ride himself that day, along with other city and university employees, setting an example to the rest of the community on the benefits of bicycling.

In previous years, trophies were awarded to Carbondale Times editor Tom Riechmann and Mary Lavery, Kyle Harfst for longest distance traveled, and to Anne Johnson and David More, bicycle spokespersons.

The theme of "Bike 2 Work Day" in Carbondale is -- bicycle to work with a friend.

It's part of a national "Bike to Work Day" effort to encourage more people to bicycle more often. May is "National Bike to Work Month"; the week of May 16-20 is "Bike to Work Week."

http://www.bikemonth.com/

Friday, March 18, 2005

Roadside cleanup

Message from Don Lawrence
Carbondale Rideletter editor

Sandy Anderson and Rusty Morgan working with Ray Lenzi have worked out a plan for us to help in Southern Illinois roadside cleanup. Our place for cleanup is New Era Road which many of us cycle often throughout the year.

The plans are for us to meet at Murdale near the Murdale sign at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 23 to get started on the cleanup.

New Era Rd has been closed off for construction so that will be an ideal and safe time. As I understand it safety vests as well as collection bags will be available. Bring yourselves and, if as I do, you have a litter stick (or other portable pickup device) you might want to bring that to avoid constant bending over.

If you have any questions call Sandy at (618) 893-4545 or Rusty at (618) 457-5404.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Blessing of Bicycles?

LA Downtown News Online: "Organizers of the annual Blessing of the Bicycles at Good Samaritan Hospital in City West are looking for an artist to design the event's first commemorative pin. . . . Coinciding with the 11th Annual Los Angeles County Bike-to-Work Day, the Blessing of the Bikes is May 19 at 8 a.m. [by] the Rev. Jerry Anderson, who is also the hospital's chaplain."

Friday, March 04, 2005

Bike 2 Work 3

The City of Carbondale's Third Annual "Bike 2 Work Day" will take place during the week of May 16 - 21, which is the National Bike to Work Week, as well. The reason Carbondale's use the numeral "2" in the name is because the idea is to ride work with a friend, if possible. Anyway, the lunch event will be held this year outside in the Town Square Pavilion.

Planners hope to have more participation from area businesses, with a plaque or trophy going to the one that has the most employees riding their bikes. It is hoped that SIRSS, SIH, and various university departments. It's on the honor system.

The exact DAY on which Carbondale's Bike 2 Work Day will be held is TBA asap.

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Biking to Work Down Under

STUFF, New Zealand's leading news and information website, reports: "Seven hundred cyclists met in Wellington's Civic Square for a free breakfast yesterday to celebrate Bike to Work Day."