Archive for the 'Bike Sharing' Category

Nov 01 2011

Census on Wheels

Published by under About Bikes,Public Announcements

 

recently said this about bikes in the world of transit sans auto….

With the release of the 2009 Census this September, we now have data that can feed decisions regarding regional transportation and the design of pedestrian and biking options.

“The Brookings Institute recently found that while seven-tenths of metropolitan residents live within in a three-quarter mile radius of public transit, only 30 percent of jobs are accessible within 90 minutes by using it.”

 10 Cities Where Workers Most Use Public Transit: Census Huffington Post

Articles that have run with cultural background of commuters have been overplayed.

It is true that foreign born populations use mass-transit more than native born residents.  While many countries have far superior transportation infrastructure to the U.S. and urban densities lending themselves to the culture of carless commuting, the truth of the census statistics indicate other explanations. 10.8% of the foreign born commuters use mass transit versus a sad 4.1 for the native born, but of this statistically significantly higher population, these commuters were much more likely to come from families living below the poverty level, not own a car, and have no other options.

Other statistics may be intuitive to the urban planner and everyday citizen. Many are American stereotypes. Three fourths of commuters drive alone and from suburban areas. Of any racial group, whites are 10% higher of any commuters driving cars. New Yorkers ranked #1 for mass transit commuting with 30% of all their commuters. San Franciscowas second but with a distant 14.6%. (More at: US Census Reveals the Top 10 US Cities for Mass Transit Commuting: Inhabitat)

Of course we want the Census to feed us something One example that came from the 2009 numbers was the potential of 17–24 yr olds in New York and Oregon studying anything from Computer Science to Modern Dance.

The cities that gave us the highest that can drive design. What can we read from the statistics that inform a more intelligent urbanism? cycling and walking populations were Corvalis,Oregon and Ithaca, New York. Since these are college towns that’s no surprise. College students generally need to be frugal and live close to campus. However we now have the data to support urban development by way of significant pedestrian and biking services for those populations, knowing theywill make full use of them.

No responses yet

Dec 04 2009

Gyrowheel

Published by under About Bikes

The 12 inch Gyrowheel is designed to replace the front wheel of any standard 12 inch kids’ bike.

Have a look….

You can officially buy your 12 inch Gyrowheel right now.  See the improved website!  The 12 inch Gyrowheel is designed to replace the front wheel of any standard 12 inch kids’ bike — available in a black or white tire model. Gyrowheel makes learning to ride safer, faster, easier, and a whole lot more fun. See how and why people love it.Want More Good News

For those of you patiently waiting for the 16 inch Gyrowheels. We are still on track for a spring release! Check the website for updates, sign on to newsletter for new products.

Hooray for making training wheels obsolete! And thank you for your continued support. Ready, steady, go! Team Gyrobike

No responses yet

Sep 17 2008

Tandems!

Published by under Bike Sharing


DylansTandem

Originally uploaded by reidcurry

One response so far

Jun 10 2008

Bike legs on Bike roads

Published by under Bike Sharing

Federal law HR 727

Some years ago in a small airfield near Albany, representatives of a half-dozen different State agencies, from DMV, DOT etc. convened to test ride the first serious attempt to combine the virtues of lightweight human powered vehicles, bikes, with small battery-powered electric-assist motors, produced by the Ford Motor company and called, “Think” bikes.  Much of what was supposed to be done decades ago was not done.  If not now when?

 

This get-together was gave State officials test ride opportunities to experience alternative categories of vehicle and suggest new forms of administrative jurisdiction.   After each had taken a short spin around the track they were polled, in turn, and all opined that their various agencies and departments should have no part in regulating what was essentially a bicycle, especially at the slow pace that these machines were capable of achieving.

 

A few years ago, officials from the Federal government also examined these devices and determined that they should fall under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, rather than any Motor Vehicle laws given their small scale, slow speed, and minimal impacts. This was made official in Federal law HR 727.

 

Many people regard the bicycle as one of mankind’s most beneficial inventions. For 100 years it gradually became more efficient, while changing minimally. About 20 years ago the bicycle went through a dramatic step with the introduction of durable and urban-friendly mountain bikes with their upright riding posture shock absorbers, and beefier tires that hardly ever went flat, rendering our not-perfect streets survivable and the journey much more comfortable.

 

It is time now for the bike to complete its leap into full utility. We need stability, weather protection, and multi-rider capacity, etc. But all this adds significant weight and has heretofore not been a practical possibility. With the introduction of lightweight lithium ion batteries and the addition of a helper-motor to common bicycles the next step in the evolution of this invaluable device has arrived. As the least negatively impactful and most economical element in our multi-faceted transportation world these steps are long overdue and an important hedge against $5 a gallon gasoline, rampant obesity and already strained family budgets.

 

The special importance of these developments to the transportation disadvantaged and disabled is also a factor here.  Better and more widely used electric bicycles will inevitably lead to better wheelchairs too and a large proportion of the general population who won’t ride ordinary bikes out of fear that they may tire too quickly or find that nearby hill too steep to climb will finally be able to enjoy the healthy exercise and recreational pleasures available here.

 

We congratulate the State Senate for enabling us to move forward on this vital public issue at this time. By encouraging the further evolution of these vehicles here, perhaps New York can once again become a center of transportation development, as it was with the Erie Canal and the New York Central in times gone by, through the proliferation of new human-scale transport options.

 

It is gratifying that the New York State legislature is proposing at this time to bring our regulations into line with this Federal law, as 37 other states have already done. The need to expand our citizens’ access to more economical and healthier means of getting where they are going is critical at a time when our very survival much less future prosperity is threatened. This official recognition of the conclusions reached on that little airfield some years ago could not come at a better time. 

No responses yet