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Posts from March, 2009

Car-Light or Car-Free…You Decide!

Since becoming a commuter/utility cyclist, I have pondered dependence on the automobile.  While reading several posts and reviews online, the thought of car-free begins to appeal to me.  Giving up our car may seem daunting, but going car-light seems to strike a balance in our needs.
Little did I know, the location we had chosen to [...]

So How Did We End Up Here?

And how do we get out?
Traffic Law Enforcement.
What I am about to say will come as a bit of a shock to people under 60: “If you violate a traffic law you will be caught and prosecuted.”
And that was really true.
Prior to 1980, in Florida, if you were caught violating a traffic law, you would [...]

The Distance Perception Thing

I have thought for a long time that people who habitually drive in town tend over-estimate distances. A blogger in NYC noticed the same thing.
The blogger is living in The City now, but she grew up in Missouri and she is writing a five part series about cycling in the ‘burbs and what she remembers. [...]

Riddle Me This!

Our state legislatures have a wonderful way of speaking “legalese”.  With the last few posts regarding bicycle law, I was wondering about the FTR law on many states books.
While not having researched every state with FTR law on the books, I have seen similarity in FL and CA.
Florida 316.2065 Read specifically Par (5)(a)(3).  I read [...]

A Good Read on Bike Laws

California and Florida use the same laws regarding bicycles and slow-moving vehicles. The interpretation of the law would be the same here.
The desire to restrict cyclists’ use of the road for the convenience of others comes from the lack of respect for bicycles as vehicles/cyclists as drivers. The drivers of faster vehicles are NOT more [...]

How much does it cost to own a car?

The New York Times takes a look.

Strategy for a Cyclist Friendly Community — Our Law Departments can Help!!

Keri’s recent (most-excellent) post asked us to think about ways or means by which we can promote cycling by starting at the bottom of the pyramid.  We should be working on how to develop, as Keri put it: “Cultural Respect for the Bicycle as a Vehicle/Cyclist as a Driver”.  Just a short way down her [...]

Strategy for a Cyclist-Friendly Community

Introduction
Building a cyclist friendly community requires a combination of social and physical structures. Like a  pyramid, these structures must be built upon a solid foundation, or they will collapse.
When the foundation is strong and the layers of the pyramid reinforce each other, they will support a healthy, thriving bicycle culture.
1) Foundation: Cultural Respect
Bicycles are Vehicles/Cyclists [...]

Orlando Critical Mass

Critical Mass Orlando 2009

[ March 27, 2009; 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. ]

Kids Bike Ride — West Orange Trail

[ March 28, 2009; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Meet at Winter Garden Station for the West Orange Trail. Ride will be led by Orlando Road Club down to Killarney station and back on the West Orange Trail. Maximum distance of 10 miles total but riders can turn-around any time. All ages welcome; children should be accompanied by an adult.