REI and Bikes Belong are putting some money where it counts! The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and New York City’s Transportation Alternatives are the recipients of the funds, and both organizations have big plans to put the cash to good use.

Transportation Alternatives (TA) will use their award to support a comprehensive citywide bike parking initiative designed to increase bike transportation in New York by giving cyclists safe, convenient places to park and store their bicycles. TA will conduct advocacy work for “parking spot swaps” and legislation mandating bicycle access to commercial buildings. The grant will also back a bike-rack design competition organized by the NYC Department of Transportation, TA, and city art museums.

Chicagoland Bicycle Federation will use their funding to produce the first of a series of Sunday Parkways events in Chicago, modeled after Ciclovia in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Bogotá, Columbia. With a goal of “transforming communities by invigorating their lifelines—their streets—every weekend from June through October,” Sunday Parkways promises to dramatically increase ridership in the city of Chicago by creating a car-free community celebration that other U.S. cities can adopt.

Congrats to all parties and we’ll be looking to the CBF and TA for examples on how to implement comparable programs in Denver.

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Perhaps we need a fleet of these bike snowplows to fill in the gaps on our streets and trails after a snowfall! What are the chances for contract work with the City of Denver?

Thanks to Fritz for the link.

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Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr….

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Commute by Bike has a discussion on the interface of bikes and coffee, and how we bicyclists drink and transport our daily buzz. There’s also a link to Bicycle Coffee Systems, a website billed as “The Earth’s Leading Authority on Conveying Coffee by Bicycle—Since 1996.” I for one am most grateful that someone has put the effort into providing such worthy information.

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If it’s cold and snowy, you have to figure out a way to have some fun! Our neighbors to the north in Chicago have it down, with a winter Bike to Work Day and other fun events and rides. Bra-vo, we applaud your spirit.

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The LA Times recently ran a series of point/counter point articles regarding bicycling. The articles feature Will Campbell, a cyclist and local blogger, and Cato Institute senior fellow Randal O’Toole. Take a look and see what you think in the ongoing debate of motorist vs. cyclist.

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Spurred by cyclist deaths, Portland will be installing these bike-only areas at intersections.  The boxes are in front of waiting traffic, so bikes are less likely to get hit unseen by right-turning cars.  We had these in Amsterdam, and while they seem like a great idea, once the light turns green drivers will do whatever they can to get around you quickly.  I eventually decided to not use them at all.  Notice the mention of bicycle boulevards, which prioritize cyclists on quiet side streets instead of in bike lanes on busy streets.

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Here’s an article on winter bicycling (be sure to watch the video) from Minneapolis. These folks are well acquainted with bone-chilling cold, snow and ice, so consider it sage advice.

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