Should Cyclists Run Red Lights?

The Informed Reader - WSJ.com : Should Cyclists Run Red Lights?

Bike paths not worthy of federal support?

Salon reports: Bike paths not worthy of federal support, says transportation secretary:

"Bike activists face an uphill climb against Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, who claims bike paths are not transportation and are stealing tax money from bridges and roads."

Bike to Work Day in Other Cities

As gas prices rise, more drivers ride the cycling trend
Oakland Tribune - Oakland,CA,USA
... and started to advocate that way of life, teaming up with nonprofit groups to lobby, educate and organize events such as the recent Bike to Work Day. ...
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Gas prices too high? Ride a bike to work
MaineToday.com - Portland,ME,USA
... pass along pointers and give some resources, just in case you need a little push to get started, and you missed National Bike to Work Day in May. ...
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Bulldog team participates in Bike to Work day
Fresno State News - Fresno,CA,USA
Forty-one Team Bulldog riders logged a total of 158 miles in the Bike to Work Day Corporate Challenge, sponsored by the Fresno County Bicycle Coalition on ...
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Bicycling to Work is WHEEL FUN and Saves Money!
YourHub.com - Denver,CO,USA
Review the other important bicycle safety tips provided on the Bike to Work Day web site at www.drcog.org/btwd2007 . Contact Bicycle Aurora at 303-699-9260 ...
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Bike training

Yesterday's Bike 2 Work Day event had a special trophy ready for Thomas T. Pleasants ("TT") who has been riding a bicycle to his job as an engineer for Amtrak for 14 years!

While in Carbondale, he rides from the motel to the Amtrak station, then loads his bicycle on the train to use it when he gets to Chicago!

TT couldn't make it to lunch at Town Square Pavilion yesterday, so I caught up with him at the station this morning, May 18 -- which happens to be Bike to Work Day in many other U.S. cities in the U.S.

B2W5

Today's Bike 2 Work Day event at Town Square Pavilion was attended by about 25 people, pictured here.

The prize for longest distance ride to work went to Stace England, of SIH, again this year. Stace pedalled 17 miles to work this morning.

The prize for the organization with the most people riding went (again this year) to the SIU Microbiology Department, with 7 people riding to work this morning, inspired by Donna Mueller.

Two Special Awards were also given by Mayor Cole to two people who have promoted the cause of bicyling in Carbondale: Sheila Simon was given a Special Award for her outstanding advocacy, while Darby McGrann was acknowledged for playing music at the event for the 5th consecutive year.

5th Annual Bike 2 Work Day

It started as a friendly collaboration between Tom Riechmann and me, when Tom was editor of the Carbondale Times, and he rode his bicycle to the Thomas Publishing office, across the street from my house, every day. We cooked it up together, before learning it was a national event. Mayor Brad Cole was quick to sponsor the idea, now in its 5th year. The first one was in October, successive ones have been in May.

The first event was held at City Hall. After the second year, the lunch was moved to Town Square Pavilion, but the theme remains the same. Lunch for everyone, a drawing for free bicycle stuff, and trophies to the individuals and businesses who ride farthest, or have the most people riding from a group. Past winners include American Resource Group and the SIUC Microbiology Dept. Past individual distance riding winners include Kyle Harfst and Stace England.

This year's event will take place

Thursday, May 17,
Noon - 1 p.m.
Town Square Pavilion

with lunch and trophies presented by Mayor Cole.

More details will be posted here as they become available.

Bike Month

Another National Bicycle Month is rolling 'round, signalling League of American Bicyclists * Bike Month. Locally, Bike 2 Work Day will be held on Thursday, May 17, with a lunch and trophy presentation at the Town Square Pavilion.

More details will be posted here as they become available.

B2W5

I'm hoping the local media will participate in Bike 2 Work Week, May 10 -17.

There are plans to give City Councilwoman Sheila Simon recognition for her bicycling advocacy, since rides to work on many days, not just one day.

50 things to do in May

50_things_for_bike_month.PDF