This is a shameless attempt to save the the most advanced civilization in
history from imminent self destruction by eliminating carbon emission,
dependence on foreign sources of fuel,obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Cycling accomplishes all those things at once and helps us develop a better
understanding of ourselves, each other and our relationship to the cosmos.

Oh, horse puckey!
I like to ride bikes, have been doing it all my life.
The rest of that crap is just a fringe benefit,
and the blogosphere gives me a chance to share my interior
monologue with virtual rather than imaginary friends.

Friday, February 17, 2017

EL NINO strikes down winter again

      Things are just getting good around here.  It's mid February in Michigan, the snow is gone (along with local skiing) the temps promise to be in the forties for the next week, I took the Hillborne out with regular tires yesterday.  Maybe Phil from wherever-I-can't-pronounce was wrong.  We know it's not global warming because that stopped on January 20th, but  warm weather crawls over the snow squeezing it out until the only ice left is near the snow mountains at the edge of the parking lots.  So I am going to switch out the studs on the Hunq and start really riding to work. 
   The fact that we have riding conditions at an odd time of year had not deterred the advocacy season from marching forward.  Renee and John (right and left) from out local bike club awarded our Mayor Hopewell (a cyclist himself) and the City Commission with the Annual "Friend of Cycling" award 
                                       
for approving the 5ft passing law.We all expected it to be difficult
 but the Commission passed it with a 100% vote.   
Along with that,  KATS, the area transportation study which dispenses federal funds,
held a Q&A opportunity for the public to provide comment and suggestions over their proposals.  I got there at the end but the crowd had been large during the day and suggestions for development of active transport throughout the area proved to thoughtful as well as various.
But despite it all we have run into this glitch, where a neighborhood in the student ghetto has stopped  the city's initiative to widen walkways and add bike lanes.  Ostensibly, they got upset to know that some trees were being removed, but there is a tavern owner who is worried about losing a few parking spaces for a few weeks.  They will probably go around in circles for a month or two before that work resumes.  Ultimately trees will grow back and more pedestrians and cyclists will spend more money than motorists driving past.





2 comments:

  1. One of these days business owners will learn that pedestrian and cycling traffic is good for business. In the meantime, it is maddening the way we have to fight for every "sacrificed" parking spot. Good news on the passing law!

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  2. If your "El Niño" is referring to the weather, this is--incredibly--a La Niña year. Yes, even with all the rain we've had here in California, it's a La Niña year.

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