Lance Armstrong will soon unveil his 18,000-square-foot Austin-based bike shop, Mellow Johnny's (named after the Tour de France's yellow jersey -- or "maillot jaune"). The goal of the shop is to promote bike culture and bike commuting:
"This city is exploding downtown. Are all these people in high rises going to drive everywhere? We have to promote (bike) commuting..."
Showers and a locker room will allow commuters who don't have facilities at their offices to ride downtown, store their bikes at the shop, bathe and catch a ride on a pedicab or walk the rest of the way to work.
Armstrong's advocacy could move mountains. Cycling has always been a trend-driven sport. As far back as the 1800s, manufacturers promoted their technological innovations by sponsoring racers. In the U.S., bike sales boomed in the early '70s (reaching a high they've never quite touched again) due to a sudden craze for road bikes.
That boom quickly fizzled. The industry lacked the breadth of products to sustain consumer interest. For casual riders, a lightweight performance bike just wasn't the right choice for commuting, running errands, or hauling cargo.
Then, in the '80s, a group of obsessed hobbyists in California invented the mountain bike, upending the industry and sparking a more sustained boom. At one point, mountain bikes comprised 60% of bikes sold, even though most of these machines never saw a trail. The sturdy frame, thick tires, upright riding position, and forgiving suspension of a typical mountain bike suited it well to cities and sidewalks.
Today, the mountain bike has led to a flowering of cruisers, commuters, and comfort bikes. Some have described the present day as a golden era for bikes. But despite the rosy outlook, sales have been level -- decently high, but not really growing.
Back when Lance was powering his way to seven consecutive Tour de France victories, the cycling industry referred to the "Armstrong effect," the sales boost that resulted directly from Lance fandom. The runaway success of Lance's Livestrong campaign further testified to the man's broadbased appeal.
Now Lance has turned his attention to promoting bikes for the rest of us. If he succeeds, his most lasting legacy might be as an environmental champion.
Climate Citizen: Mary Stuart Masterson
Happy birthday, EMA Awards ... and you other groups, too
James Bond calls for more marine protected areas
Comments
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Biodiversivist Posted 3:08 am
16 Feb 2008
No showers needed for hybrid electric commuters. Politicians need to start putting a lot more money into bike infrastructure along with better laws to protect riders. We have to stop burning so much liquid fuel in internal combustion engines.
It's a catch 22. Hybrid electric bikes are poised to break open a new paradigm but only fools (like me) and people with a death wish are willing to ride alongside rivers of two ton steel wheelchairs, all exceeding the city speed limits by about 20-30%.
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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NBKBoston Posted 6:45 am
16 Feb 2008
But you have to recognize, and work within, a bicycle's limits. You can't take small children to school in a bike very easily, or do heavy shopping, or (as I've found out the hard way) take home the dry cleaning without ruining it. Assuming payload capacity is not the issue for the solo trip to work, below are a few other critical factors in bike commuting.
DISTANCE. Biking is probably only appealing for rides between one and four miles each way. While some bike commuters are hard-core, longer distances would easily put off most of us.
TERRAIN. While Lance Armstrong can climb the Pyrenees at speed, I can't. The commute only works because the ground is relatively flat near me. In places where this ain't so, I think bicycle commuting stands little chance at all.
CLIMATE. Biking is acceptable when it's not to hot or cold out, and when it isn't raining or snowing. Showers and changing rooms can help for warmer days, but for most people there is still some upper limit. Places with more days of acceptable weather are better bicycle commuting towns.
These three factors can partly explain why biking is much more acceptable in Amsterdam than Boston. Flat, temperate and compact is a much better bet than somewhat hilly, climatically extreme and compact only if you live near the center. When the misery index climbs to high, my bike is put away and the bus pass or car keys come out. But when the weather is good I'm frequently on two wheels.
Finally, even if you have the above three factors in abundance, you need one more thing:
ROADSPACE. Without bike lanes or grade-separate trails, biking would be too hazardous for most. I have the benefit of them, but many areas don't, and it's a big investment. There is a chicken-and-egg problem here. Why would a city council invest in bike lanes if there is no existing community of bike commuters to demand it and use it? How do you build a community of bike commuters if no one is willing to take to the roads without safe bike lanes? Lance Armstrong can help, as can the large community of recreational cyclists who can make it known that they'd use their bikes for commuting and errands more often if it were possible. If they can point to the fact that the first three factors work in the city's favor, their case becomes more convincing.
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ThomC Posted 7:53 am
16 Feb 2008
Also to encourage more commuting by cycling the light rail system must accomodate extra carriages for the bikes during peak hour. In addition toll gates should be set up at the entrance to the city and motorists should be required to pay a fee scaled on the level of congestion the city is experiencing with the funds going to the development of barriered bike ways.
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Pangolin Posted 9:08 am
16 Feb 2008
There is a growing movement of innovators producing or importing cargo carrying bikes that can handle anything from six sacks of concrete to a kayak. Kids and groceries are no problem. Check out the blogs here and here to get an idea of what is possible. My best load to date; a case of apples, 30 lbs of other fruits and veggies, a kid and me on a return from farmers market. Over the weight limit but no problems.
A few other sources are worldbike.org and the bike trailer blog. If your load doesn't require a pickup truck you can haul it on a bike. If you are old and frail or otherwise infirm you can get an electric hub to help you. One person locally has an electric, three-wheeler basket bike that she rides around town.
Put the Carbon Back
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bookerly Posted 9:43 am
16 Feb 2008
In Beijing, more and more electric bikes are being sold, which is good. There are also more bikes with gears. But Pangolin has a good point about variety. You see a lot of three wheeled bikes with small wagons on the back (or three wheeled wagons if you prefer). People not only carry lots of things and children, but old people put a spouse in the back and set off!! People here bike year round, we just bundle up in the winter. (And wear light clothing in the summer!)
There are also small seats that fit on the back of a bike that can carry a small child. Lots of parents here bike their kids to and from school, and other places.
Rush hour is amazing on a bike.
Great post, good luck to Lance!! And to everyone who bikes.
patrick in Beijing
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bryantheresa Posted 10:43 am
16 Feb 2008
I have been checking the veracity of this statement, which is used the world over as an excuse to not ride a bike.
I commuted for 20 years on the west coast of Canada (Vancouver, Victoria, Port Hardy) with significant rain from -10C to + 35C with frequent gales & never felt I was missing out by not being in a car.
I cycled 800 days in a row in Yellowknife from -45C (-50F) to about +20, 40% of the time on ice or snow, during snowstorms & for 4 hour recreational rides. I had to buy a facemask & regrease my freewheel.
I'm living in Darwin, which gives me another 600 days of tropical riding at a typical daytime high of 33C (90F) down to about 20C. I rarely ride over 100 km as the roads are too boring. I have to buy sunscreen.
In Alberta & Australia I've pushed the high up to about +47C (115F) while touring. I have to drink a lot of water.
I'm not bragging, this was not difficult and always more pleasant than getting into an automobile at those temperatures. And the people with cars are just as cold or sweaty or wet after they get out. So before you tell me again that the weather is too ___ to cycle why don't you just go out and try it?
Yes, it is often nice to have a shower afterwards, but it is not always possible and a facecloth in the bathroom is a usable alternative. I certainly can't justify a $40,000 car to avoid getting wet.
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KevinMichael Posted 11:14 am
16 Feb 2008
Rounding up a bunch of burnouts with nappy dreads to slowly ride through a city is highly counter productive. Why? Aside from the participants, the only people who benefit/enjoy these events are the cops who cash overtime checks from having to monitor these events.
If you honestly look at the impact of Critical Mass you will find deleterious effects. I live in Portland and was formerly enthusiastic about everything green and sustainable. I say formerly because I have had a change of heart. Critical Mass-like events do not motivate politicians like the proponent wrote above, they alienate normal people like myself who don't want this stuff crammed down their throats. Riding through my neighborhood like a bunch of clowns does not add credence to the 95% of bicycle commuters who are normal, tax paying citizens.
Seriously, CM just adds to traffic congestion (air pollution+CO2), delays mass transit commuters, and perhaps worst of all, alienates potential environmentalists who want to do the right thing.
Today, I am much more in alignment with those who say bikes should be registered so they contribute financially to all the special infrastructure they require. Thanks Critical Mass!
Stay positive, love your life.
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amazingdrx Posted 12:52 pm
16 Feb 2008
The US and other developed countries ought to go to this mode to replace a large part of car use. The mass produced bikes will be affordable for developing countries and actually "cool" if trendsetting cultures adopt them.
Why not feel the beauty of exersize and the good fight against GHG along with our fellow citizens of spaceship earth? It's zen, it will work.
If you can ride an hour a day with the electric power helping keep up with traffic, especially on hills, the health effect alone will make it worthwhile.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog
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falsecast Posted 1:01 pm
16 Feb 2008
This country is already up to its eyeballs in "special infrastructure" for the internal destruction engine and adding more every hour - how's that working out for everyone?
This may be my own isolated experience, but it seems that almost everything that is done in the Baltimore metro area to make things more car friendly makes it much less friendly, if not outright hostile, for the muscle powered folks: pedestrians, cyclists, kids on scooters, skaters, etc.
Yeah, I'll register my bike...when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers (sorry Charlton).
Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling.
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JMG Posted 2:39 pm
16 Feb 2008
Save the world: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% annually.
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Jon Rynn Posted 3:38 pm
16 Feb 2008
I would love to have amazin's suggestion, a 3-wheeler that can carry children, etc., someday!
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wiscidea Posted 3:59 pm
16 Feb 2008
Has it occurred to anyone that the notion of protecting the environment by encouraging more people to bike to work is somewhat weakened as the basic bicycle turns into an electric bicycle turns into a 3-wheeled vehicle turns into.... whatever the next evolutionary step might be? Once a large number of families start using 3-wheelers to tote around children, there might be a bit of a safety issue emerging. Pretty soon the 3-wheelers will have to have bumbers, air bags, and protective shells.
If your not careful, your bicycles are going to evolve into small SUVs!
Perhaps our society should focus on shrinking the basic automobile down to a more environmentally-friendly electric all-wheel-drive vehicle so we don't have to build more roads. How about starting by charging a FEDERAL registration fee proportional to the weight of the vehicle? Funds raised go toward improving the efficiency of personal transportation.
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wiscidea Posted 4:34 pm
16 Feb 2008
I thought I'd stop by thread so y'all could slap me around a bit. The folks embracing their automobiles, fully dependent on them, and assuming there will always be a way to work around problems caused climate change, should start preparing for a very rough transition period.
We moved to our present home about 10 years ago. Commuting has never been a serious problem due to weather. There might be one or two snow storms that slow a person down or almost kill him each year, but otherwise it hasn't been bad. The snow removal crews easily kept the roads clear.
Well, this year is a whole new animal. A storm almost every week. Warm enough to melt snow one day. Too cold for the salt and sand to melt ice on the roads the next day. Or the wind blows the salt and sand right off the road! Roads snowy and slippery on a regular basis. I believe our local highway officials were concern about running out of salt. The fund for keeping the roads clear of snow is getting low. We just broke a record for TOTAL winter snowfall and it is only February. We still have March and part of April to look forward to.
The morals of the story? Hmmm.... (1) When you look at houses far from your job, might be a good idea to wait until winter -- preferably the absolutely worst blizzard of a day -- to make a final decision. Of course, that won't help you if the climate is changing and the direction of that change is unpredictable. (2) Not a good idea to construct a culture around daily long-distance travel by automobile if the climate is changing and the direction of change is unpredictable. (3) Once you have that house and you have to travel... in for a penny, in for a pound. I couldn't sell my house now if I wanted to. I'm going to have to prepare for the worst and seriously consider finding a way to earn a living without leaving my house all winter!
I grew up with snow. I commuted to college through snow. I like snow. I love snow! I even like driving through snow... just NOT THIS MUCH! And if such a change in seasonal weather is affecting WIsconsin, I feel very very sorry for those parts of the country and the world that have to cope with unusual weather and problems they've not had to devote resources to before.
Furthermore, considering the potential for unexpected expenses and interference with business, I absolutely do not understand why conservatives, the vast majority of them, are not concerned about global climate change or our dependency on automobiles and planes. You'd think they'd at least be interested in saving a buck or two by not having to devote tax money to paying snow plow drivers to work extra hours! Or losing customers because extreme weather interferes with shopping! Or travelers not being able to reach resorts!
Just thought I'd share...
Go, Bike People!
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Ron Steenblik Posted 11:43 pm
16 Feb 2008
These are only my personal opinions.
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amazingdrx Posted 1:00 am
17 Feb 2008
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog
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Jon Rynn Posted 1:42 am
17 Feb 2008
But I also like this "Parent child chariot".
Then there are pedicabs, and -- this company puts a motor on them, so almost there, amazin'!
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NBKBoston Posted 2:26 am
17 Feb 2008
It's fairly difficult to haul more than one child at a time with most of these products. It's physically demanding to haul too heavy a payload, even if the wagon is up for the task. Parking and storing these things can be a problem -- I don't live in a private house with my own garage, and my building's bike-parking shed can't handle all sorts of extra wagons. Many of the other buildings in my area are similarly limited. Some of these problems can be overcome with new products or infrastructure (electric assist for heavy payloads, buildings with more bike parking area), but some of them should be regarded as deeply seated limitations of the technology, and treated as such.
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amazingdrx Posted 2:52 am
17 Feb 2008
I see a clear plastic infatable hemi-egg that has a geodesic cellular structure. Shell shaped, double walls that hold the compressed air. It could kind of strap onto the recumbant biker and bike. Hollow for head and body mobility. With built in ultra light lights and mirrors.
And hinged at the front so you lift it up to get on the bike. Any accident or inclement weather would be less of a problem. I-pod sound system, whooop you're ready to ride. The electric assist, even a half hp, about equal to human power at max. Would give you 2 human power!
You could cruise with traffic even up most hills on lower speed streets, 35 mph average traffic.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog
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Icelander Posted 3:13 am
17 Feb 2008
I don't think not wanting to sit through work in wet underpants or walk through the grocery store smelling like you just came from the gym isn't a valid excuse.
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bookerly Posted 4:08 am
17 Feb 2008
As a long time ago participant in the San Francisco Critical Mass, I want to offer a couple of words in its defense. It is certainly true that it tends to inconvenience some car drivers once in a while. The point of it is to remind said car drivers and the general public, that bicyclists are people too, and also have a right to public thoroughfares.
Bicycle commuting in the US in many big cities is made more difficult because streets are designed with ONLY automobile transit in mind. Getting planning departments to pay attention to the needs of pedestrians and cyclists is harder than getting George Bush to pay attention the needs of Iraqi refugees.
If cities and drivers were really bike friendly, there would be no need for Critical Mass, it would merely be rush hour (smile).
Suggestions for bike commuting.
1) Shower at the office (or a nearby gym if there is one). When I worked in an office building that had no shower, I took plastic bags and towels, washed down in the men's room using the sink. If you need to do this often, very short hair is recommended! Once you get used to it, it isn't so bad.
2) Wear exercise clothes to work, put on your dress stuff when you get there, solves the wet underwear problem. (I usually didn't wear my suit jacket while working, kept a couple stashed in the office so I didn't need to carry them back and forth all the time.)
Some things government can do.
1) Require that all new commercial building projects include secured bike parking and showers.
2) Require that all offstreet commercial parking include secured bike parking areas.
3) Install and maintain secured bike parking areas in commercial districts (or at least bike racks!).
4) Permit the use of three wheeled bikes for delivery, and use such services for local government deliveries. Make it easy, not hard!
5) Require multi-unit residential developments to include secured bike parking.
6) Pass laws that severely penalize car drivers who hit either pedestrians or cyclists, and enforce them.
7) Look at free bikes or cheap rentals in urban areas.
8) Require any new or redesigned roadways to provide bike and pedestrian access, and to specifically consider the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians during the design process (you would be amazed at how rarely this is done).
Ride on!
patrick in Beijing
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spaceshaper Posted 4:09 am
17 Feb 2008
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
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spaceshaper Posted 4:33 am
17 Feb 2008
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
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spaceshaper Posted 4:35 am
17 Feb 2008
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
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falsecast Posted 6:03 am
17 Feb 2008
If I might add, the government could either provide or subsidize the private provision of secure parking areas, bike lanes, etc. through revenue raised by congestion pricing. Why not make the motorists pay for their externalities rather than punishing those who suffer from them?
Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling.
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caniscandida Posted 8:20 am
17 Feb 2008
Hey, SpaSh, don't you know the difference between O vocativum and Oh exclamatorium?
Compare and contrast:
"I don't know what YOU thought, O men of Athens, when the plaintiff was going on just now about how I am a monster, and deserve to be drawn, quartered, disemboweled, drowned and burnt at the stake; but I for my part had to ask for a box of Kleenex."
over against:
"Oh, Socrates! Can you really expect us to believe that you passed up a fun time with Alcibiades, when he was just begging for it?"
Or:
"Here is that basket of lamb chops that Mother and I prepared for you, O Grandmother, and of which I feel very proud, even gladly speaking of it to that courteous Mr. Wolf whom I passed on my way here."
over against:
"Oh, Grandmother! What big teeth you have!"
Chickens are our cousins! So are fish! So are other sentient animals! Let us learn to be kind.
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spaceshaper Posted 11:00 am
17 Feb 2008
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
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bookerly Posted 11:38 am
17 Feb 2008
Falsecast, I agree that the government can help pay for all of my suggestions. I am a bit leery of making them dependent upon the adoption of one type of financing, though. It turns the conversation from whether government should make the commitment to how it should be financed. Get the commitment first!! (smile).
Having an organized bicycle community is the best way to achieve pedal power. Join local bicycling organizations (or create them!).
Demand your local government have a bicycle council as part of any transportation advisory board (it can be voluntary, but should have as much authority as you can squeeze out of the government).
In terms of children, people here ride with their kids all the time, on both vehicles with three wheels and small wagons, and on clunky old bikes.
Speed is a tricky issue. I prefer slower speeds (but then I am getting older). My first thought, was "I have to slow down on bike to 20 mph?".
But it would probably be good for me (smile).
How about "Arise O Cyclists of the nation"?
patrick in Beijing
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jhaskin Posted 6:52 pm
17 Feb 2008
I also lived in Boston for a year and a half. Even though I love bicycling and will willingly cycle through months of rain, I lost my will to cycle when the snow piled up and the temperature dropped below zero. But that doesn't mean that I chose to go out and get a car. In a place such as Boston, where the combination of T and bus will get you within a few blocks of pretty much anywhere in the city, it seems somewhat ridiculous to spend thousands of dollars on a car that you'll have trouble parking, have trouble starting, have trouble getting through Boston's [scary] traffic, have trouble keeping shoveled out, have to pay ever-rising gas prices to keep fueled, and which will suffer faster-than-normal wear and tear due to the combination of sea air and road salt. Why not just pay the few dollars a ride or tens of dollars a month to take public transport and let the MBTA deal with the trouble?
There are cities (plenty of them) where public transport really isn't an option, for a variety of reasons. But if it IS an option, why not use it? So you end up squashing next to some interesting-smelling people from time to time. At least it will give you a new appreciation for the joys of deoderant!
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Howell Haus Posted 7:10 am
18 Feb 2008
I agree with posts about deleterious effects of Critical Mass Rides. We need more participants, which involves word-of-mouth and lead-by-example. Google the Bike Friday tikit, which is aptly dubbed a 'last mile' solution for many. I have one, it's great, folds up, fits into a grocery cart, goes easily into a trunk, easily onto a tram or train.
If you're looking for electric bikes, see Ultra Motors, formerly Tres Terra. Ed Benjamin and Mike Frist are old-timers who know the needs of commuters, and yes you can add an Xtracycle, like someone commented, for loads up to 100 lbs. I have an Xtracycle also, and they're everything they're purported to be.
If you're looking for an electric trike with extra hauling capacity, you can even get one with dual electric drive. The same folks build a side-by-side pedi-cab with up to four people. Visit the folks at Lightfoot Cycles up in Montana. They even offer electrified recumbents with fairings.
If you visit and buy from any of these folks, please tell them JD Howell sent you. And if you want, visit my blog where I have links to most of these companies, and more...
See you out there, on my bike of course...
JD & Kelley Howell of
Eugene, OR
visit us: Cut20.blogspot.com
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Delay And Deny Posted 8:48 am
18 Feb 2008
I joined biking back as a teen in the "early 70s" during the previous boom. Back then everyone wanted an "English racer". I saved for months to buy a Pierce-Arrow lightweight bike. I spent the next year trying to keep the narrow rims straight as they bent and flattened when I curb jumped the streets of Queens, New York.
Luckily, the Arrow was stolen from me at knife point, and my parents bought me a new brown Schwinn Continental -- the Sherman Tank of ten speeds. That bike lasted me through college where I painted it red, green and black to symbolize...well, some kind of statement or something.
Right now I drive a Trek 7000 since it's cheap enough that if someone steals it from me at knife point I can easily replace it. "Here, sir, take my bike. Look, there's a clever satchel in back where you can store your knife."
Here's a cool site I found today, Bikely:
http://www.bikely.com/
It's an enhancement (ok, "mashup"...there I used the word) to Google Maps to design save and share your favorite bike routes with others!
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