Today’s Transport –
Single-occupant: 14.7
For some reason it seemed as if the weather guessers were going to be correct today. I drove and I don’t regret it.
--
A couple days ago I heard crying in my front yard. I was pretty sure I knew who it was. I was equally sure she’d go two doors down to her home for the necessary attention. She’d likely fallen off her bike.
A few minutes later I heard crying again. There she was in our driveway. I remained confused, why hadn’t she gone home. I began quizzing her…
The chain on her bike had fallen off.
She didn’t know if she was hurt - maybe a little on her leg.
When her chain fell off, she fell off.
She didn’t know if she was bleeding - maybe a little on her leg.
I was just about exasperated when it occurred to me…
She’s here crying so that I’ll come out and fix her bike.
So I fixed her bike.
She stopped crying.
Priorities.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
090910 – This American Life – Indeed
Today’s transport –
Bike: 9.8
I didn’t go many places today. I got to play in the street though; Frisbee with The Boy 11.
--
Did you hear the recent broadcast of This American Life - The Rest Stop episode? She said what?
When asked about entertainment on his weekly four hour drive?
Driver: “Well truthfully…I usually read the newspaper on the way up, or a book.”
Interviewer: “Are you kidding me? And you've been doing it for six or seven years and you’ve not had an accident?”
THAT WOULD NOT BE AN ACCIDENT. I'm just sayin'.
--
This image demonstrates the ground a person can cover in one mile by walking in a compact neighborhood and a suburban sprawl neighborhood. I like this because I drew almost this exact picture as a comment at the Shape Sioux Falls Open House.
I live in a sprawl type neighborhood. A few blocks away is an assisted living center. The square footage of the building requires a certain amount of parking lot – which is always dreadfully empty because the residents don’t have cars.
It also makes me sad because the residents that are able to walk can go north to the mostly featureless, treeless and entirely walkway-less park across the street or they go up and down the 45mph treeless sidewalk.
Rip out the parking lot and grow some trees!
Here’s the good news. When the baby boomers are 75 years old I expect they will shed new light on the value of walkability in neighborhoods.
The page I thefted the image from is “Quantifying the value of walking” It begins, “CEOs for Cities just released a study showing that homes located close to shops, schools, churches, offices, libraries, parks, and restaurants are worth more than similar homes in less-walkable neighborhoods.”
--
Speaking of walking there's a new blogger in town. He walks.
Bike: 9.8
I didn’t go many places today. I got to play in the street though; Frisbee with The Boy 11.
--
Did you hear the recent broadcast of This American Life - The Rest Stop episode? She said what?
When asked about entertainment on his weekly four hour drive?
Driver: “Well truthfully…I usually read the newspaper on the way up, or a book.”
Interviewer: “Are you kidding me? And you've been doing it for six or seven years and you’ve not had an accident?”
THAT WOULD NOT BE AN ACCIDENT. I'm just sayin'.
--
This image demonstrates the ground a person can cover in one mile by walking in a compact neighborhood and a suburban sprawl neighborhood. I like this because I drew almost this exact picture as a comment at the Shape Sioux Falls Open House.
I live in a sprawl type neighborhood. A few blocks away is an assisted living center. The square footage of the building requires a certain amount of parking lot – which is always dreadfully empty because the residents don’t have cars.
It also makes me sad because the residents that are able to walk can go north to the mostly featureless, treeless and entirely walkway-less park across the street or they go up and down the 45mph treeless sidewalk.
Rip out the parking lot and grow some trees!
Here’s the good news. When the baby boomers are 75 years old I expect they will shed new light on the value of walkability in neighborhoods.
The page I thefted the image from is “Quantifying the value of walking” It begins, “CEOs for Cities just released a study showing that homes located close to shops, schools, churches, offices, libraries, parks, and restaurants are worth more than similar homes in less-walkable neighborhoods.”
--
Speaking of walking there's a new blogger in town. He walks.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
090909 – Ants
We were invited to see one of the minor wonders of the world this evening. So we went…
Today’s Transport –
Walk: 1.3
Bike: 5.0
Multi-occupant: 65.9
--
I know. I know.
After a bit of a drive and a 10 minute walk thorough some beautiful Iowa/Big Sioux River country we arrived. Dozens of rather large anthills.
I took a couple others pictures too.
On the way home we observed the space shuttle and the International Space Station cross the sky.
Today’s Transport –
Walk: 1.3
Bike: 5.0
Multi-occupant: 65.9
--
I know. I know.
After a bit of a drive and a 10 minute walk thorough some beautiful Iowa/Big Sioux River country we arrived. Dozens of rather large anthills.
I took a couple others pictures too.
On the way home we observed the space shuttle and the International Space Station cross the sky.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
090908 – Recreate
Today’s Transport –
Bike: 34.4
--
Excess miles come courtesy of a cavity related trip to the dentist and my final term-limited FAB board meeting. Endings are good, they lead to beginnings.
I also recreated between the dentist and the board meeting.
--
The City’s Leading Green Committee is hosting a Green-ival – “a gathering of anything and everything “green” in Sioux Falls.” Posters indicate offerings of prizes for the first 50 people who arrive by public transport, bicycle, or foot. Nice! Let me guess, a plastic water bottle?
This is otherwise a good thing. I was mentioning in conversation recently that getting people like this together in one place is necessary so we can all look at each other.
The MinusCar Project is not a vendor.
Bike: 34.4
--
Excess miles come courtesy of a cavity related trip to the dentist and my final term-limited FAB board meeting. Endings are good, they lead to beginnings.
I also recreated between the dentist and the board meeting.
--
The City’s Leading Green Committee is hosting a Green-ival – “a gathering of anything and everything “green” in Sioux Falls.” Posters indicate offerings of prizes for the first 50 people who arrive by public transport, bicycle, or foot. Nice! Let me guess, a plastic water bottle?
This is otherwise a good thing. I was mentioning in conversation recently that getting people like this together in one place is necessary so we can all look at each other.
The MinusCar Project is not a vendor.
Monday, September 07, 2009
090907 – The Local Daily
Today’s Transport –
Multi-occupant: 76.4
Single-occupant: 1.3
It’s a holiday, a time to visit family at the lake. Road trip.
--
While there I like to read The Local Daily.
#1 – my neighbor became a cover boy. The article “Practicing exercise safety when running or biking outdoors” relied heavily on Joe’s experience colliding with an automobile a year ago.
But enough about Joe, let’s talk about me for a minute – “If you're new to cycling, consider taking an education course to learn about hazard avoidance skills, traffic type skills and lane positioning. Michael Christensen is certified by the League of American Bicyclists to teach courses, and plans on offering a few courses this spring. 'There is a safe way to ride. It may seem counterintuitive for many people, but being out there, acting like a vehicle gives you the best chance to be safe,' he says.”
I’d tweak this paragraph just a little bit. You don’t have to be new to cycling to get value from the course. I imagine the simple reminder of the peril of passing on the right might be valuable to hear to some of my favorite people. My own experience being in a school zone; a student passenger exited the vehicle as I passed on the right. Oops.
--
#2 – “Signs point new way for bikers” is an article about the newest sharrows in town and a bit of discussion about traffic engineering’s efforts to make vehicle sensors more motorcycle and bicycle friendly. Not found in the article is engineering’s strategy to purchase a different style of sensor. I hope that’s still true.
“The sharrow design features a bike with two arrows above it, signaling that the road is open to vehicle and bike traffic. ‘We really want to remind the traveling public that roads can be shared,’ Trebilcock said.” The reporter just misses the target, but just a lack of the most descriptive language. Planner Trebilcock gets it right.
All city roads are open for bicycle and vehicle traffic. The sharrows are simply a reminder of that.
--
#3 – I didn’t read this in today’s paper but rather stumbled upon it as I searched for links to the previous two articles. In “My Voice: Sioux Falls could be more livable” my friend Mr. Bite (I guess sometimes they call him Chris) offers his thoughts for what the future of Sioux Falls could look like. A participant in The Local Daily’s Sioux Falls Next effort and engaging in The City’s Shape Sioux Falls 2035 Comprehensive Plan this 570 word article is right where I hope other people end up in their thinking.
Multi-occupant: 76.4
Single-occupant: 1.3
It’s a holiday, a time to visit family at the lake. Road trip.
--
While there I like to read The Local Daily.
#1 – my neighbor became a cover boy. The article “Practicing exercise safety when running or biking outdoors” relied heavily on Joe’s experience colliding with an automobile a year ago.
But enough about Joe, let’s talk about me for a minute – “If you're new to cycling, consider taking an education course to learn about hazard avoidance skills, traffic type skills and lane positioning. Michael Christensen is certified by the League of American Bicyclists to teach courses, and plans on offering a few courses this spring. 'There is a safe way to ride. It may seem counterintuitive for many people, but being out there, acting like a vehicle gives you the best chance to be safe,' he says.”
I’d tweak this paragraph just a little bit. You don’t have to be new to cycling to get value from the course. I imagine the simple reminder of the peril of passing on the right might be valuable to hear to some of my favorite people. My own experience being in a school zone; a student passenger exited the vehicle as I passed on the right. Oops.
--
#2 – “Signs point new way for bikers” is an article about the newest sharrows in town and a bit of discussion about traffic engineering’s efforts to make vehicle sensors more motorcycle and bicycle friendly. Not found in the article is engineering’s strategy to purchase a different style of sensor. I hope that’s still true.
“The sharrow design features a bike with two arrows above it, signaling that the road is open to vehicle and bike traffic. ‘We really want to remind the traveling public that roads can be shared,’ Trebilcock said.” The reporter just misses the target, but just a lack of the most descriptive language. Planner Trebilcock gets it right.
All city roads are open for bicycle and vehicle traffic. The sharrows are simply a reminder of that.
--
#3 – I didn’t read this in today’s paper but rather stumbled upon it as I searched for links to the previous two articles. In “My Voice: Sioux Falls could be more livable” my friend Mr. Bite (I guess sometimes they call him Chris) offers his thoughts for what the future of Sioux Falls could look like. A participant in The Local Daily’s Sioux Falls Next effort and engaging in The City’s Shape Sioux Falls 2035 Comprehensive Plan this 570 word article is right where I hope other people end up in their thinking.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
090906 – Disc Golf
We met my brother-in-law and nephew for a round of disc golf today. By we I mean I and The Boy 11 – it was his first round ever. The Wife was interested in a bike ride so we attached the BOB trailer to her bike while I pulled The Boys with the trail-a-bike attached to the tandem.
After 8.4 miles out and 9.4 miles back we’d played almost two miles of disc golf and rewarded ourselves with B&G Slushies on the way home. Mmmm…
Today’s Transport –
Bike: 17.8
--
The Donut for 8/31 to 9/6
Saturday, September 05, 2009
090905 - Car Miles Come Easy
Today's Transport -
Multi-occupant Auto: 42.6
Single-occupant Auto: 13.4
I spent 110 minutes in a car today. Ugh.
Visited the new Great Outdoor Store today. Beautiful!
Multi-occupant Auto: 42.6
Single-occupant Auto: 13.4
I spent 110 minutes in a car today. Ugh.
Visited the new Great Outdoor Store today. Beautiful!
090904 - zzzzzzzzzz...
I'm really sleepy.
Today's Transport -
Bike: 16.8
Bus: 9.2
I got up slow this morning. I took too much time getting ready. Driving became necessary but I couldn't find my keys. They were waiting in the ignition - safely locked in the car.
I rode!
Today's Transport -
Bike: 16.8
Bus: 9.2
I got up slow this morning. I took too much time getting ready. Driving became necessary but I couldn't find my keys. They were waiting in the ignition - safely locked in the car.
I rode!
Friday, September 04, 2009
090903 – 1Sky
Woke up to wery wet weather this morning. I caved, gave in, failed to resist. I drove to work. Alone. That meant at the end of the day, I would be driving home. Alone. The good news here is The MinusCar Car still works.
Today's Transport -
Bike: 14.8
Single-occupant auto: 11.7
--
I’ve noticed lately that I’ve got a surprisingly long list of 70 year old men I greatly admire. I might be getting old but hopefully it can - in part - be attributed to some of the most radical thoughts I hear now come from these men.
Today it was with great pleasure that as I listened to a podcast of Quaker Teacher Parker Palmer he mentioned loving Jewish Buddhist Leonard Cohen’s music. One of the most amazing evenings I’ll remember occurred in May as I basked in Cohen’s poetry and music in the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. Palmer quoted Anthem:
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
--
I did manage to fit in a ride to downtown in this evening.
Because I author a nationally famous bicycle blog* a very important person contacted me. Zachary from 1Sky is in town. He’s here specifically to find ways to encourage people to be supportive of the climate bill currently in Congress.
I, at somewhat cross purposes, wanted to sit a guy like him down in a strange venue in an unfamiliar town which would enable me, an unfamiliar person, to pepper him with questions about what it’s like to live the sort of live he does.
So we set a meeting.
Snakebite agreed that sitting for an hour at Monk’s House of Ale Repute was worth doing most anytime for most any reason. He and his lovely wife joined the conversation.
It was a fine meeting. 1Sky imagines (correctly) the globe shares one sky. 1Sky imagines (correctly) the globe shares one future.
1Sky imagines right now, with a bill approved in the House and moving through the Senate, is this nation’s best and perhaps only chance to see federal legislation that offers true leadership to the globe for future sustainability and adjustment to current data regarding climate change.
So yeah, I added my name and signature to the list of names and signatures that 1Sky will show to Senator Johnson to indicate South Dakota citizen are supportive of the current climate bill in US Congress.
--
*I know The MinusCar Project is nationally famous bike blog because when I search Google for “bikers suck” The MinusCar Project blog is second to the "Upset Waitress" in the results list.
Today's Transport -
Bike: 14.8
Single-occupant auto: 11.7
--
I’ve noticed lately that I’ve got a surprisingly long list of 70 year old men I greatly admire. I might be getting old but hopefully it can - in part - be attributed to some of the most radical thoughts I hear now come from these men.
Today it was with great pleasure that as I listened to a podcast of Quaker Teacher Parker Palmer he mentioned loving Jewish Buddhist Leonard Cohen’s music. One of the most amazing evenings I’ll remember occurred in May as I basked in Cohen’s poetry and music in the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. Palmer quoted Anthem:
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
--
I did manage to fit in a ride to downtown in this evening.
Because I author a nationally famous bicycle blog* a very important person contacted me. Zachary from 1Sky is in town. He’s here specifically to find ways to encourage people to be supportive of the climate bill currently in Congress.
I, at somewhat cross purposes, wanted to sit a guy like him down in a strange venue in an unfamiliar town which would enable me, an unfamiliar person, to pepper him with questions about what it’s like to live the sort of live he does.
So we set a meeting.
Snakebite agreed that sitting for an hour at Monk’s House of Ale Repute was worth doing most anytime for most any reason. He and his lovely wife joined the conversation.
It was a fine meeting. 1Sky imagines (correctly) the globe shares one sky. 1Sky imagines (correctly) the globe shares one future.
1Sky imagines right now, with a bill approved in the House and moving through the Senate, is this nation’s best and perhaps only chance to see federal legislation that offers true leadership to the globe for future sustainability and adjustment to current data regarding climate change.
So yeah, I added my name and signature to the list of names and signatures that 1Sky will show to Senator Johnson to indicate South Dakota citizen are supportive of the current climate bill in US Congress.
--
*I know The MinusCar Project is nationally famous bike blog because when I search Google for “bikers suck” The MinusCar Project blog is second to the "Upset Waitress" in the results list.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
090902 – Rain:Rule #1
Rain:Rule #1 - No matter the forecast, if it’s not raining at ride time, ride. If it starts raining during the ride, get wet. I woke to the promise of rain all day and simply got spit on a bit after work.
--
I noticed this morning that the bike rack at The Boy 7’s school is insufficient for the number of bikes being ridden to school. It looked to me like they need about 50% more. I’m down with that! I’ll effort to get a photo.
--
Today’s Transport –
Bike: 10.5
Multi-occupant Auto: 7.3
After spending time setting up a small network for the impending LifeLight Festival The Pastor suggested a ride home was in order. While auto transport is very low in the MinusCar hierarhy of transportational methods additional minutes with high-quality people/groups is very high in the MinusCar hierarhy of time usage.
I accept.
--
Interesting offers of sympathy to me today from the woman working the desk after I'd completed my training session. She realized I'd be riding back to work. I think of it as extending my exercise session.
--
I noticed this morning that the bike rack at The Boy 7’s school is insufficient for the number of bikes being ridden to school. It looked to me like they need about 50% more. I’m down with that! I’ll effort to get a photo.
--
Today’s Transport –
Bike: 10.5
Multi-occupant Auto: 7.3
After spending time setting up a small network for the impending LifeLight Festival The Pastor suggested a ride home was in order. While auto transport is very low in the MinusCar hierarhy of transportational methods additional minutes with high-quality people/groups is very high in the MinusCar hierarhy of time usage.
I accept.
--
Interesting offers of sympathy to me today from the woman working the desk after I'd completed my training session. She realized I'd be riding back to work. I think of it as extending my exercise session.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
090901 – I Saw It On The Internets
Today’s Transport –
Bike: 16.5
Today’s extra miles come via a trip to the dentist and the bank.
--
I read a few interesting bits on the internets today.
First a vehicular cyclist perhaps rightly argues against more bicycle related facilities by pointing out that “if we work hard at it, we can probably increase the relative numbers of cyclists on our streets from practically none to hardly any."
--
A report titled Driving and the Built Environment: The Effects of Compact Development on Motorized Travel, Energy Use, and CO2 Emissions was released today.
Impetus for Study: "A key question of interest is to what extent developing more compactly would reduce VMT and make alternative modes of travel (e.g., transit, walking) more feasible. The study is focused on metropolitan areas and on personal travel, the primary vectors through which policy changes that encourage more compact development should have the greatest effect."
People who like reading this sort of thing will enjoy reading this sort of thing.
--
I read, enjoyed, commented and became intrigued by this post from the Twin City Sidewalks blog: Death by a Thousand Curb Cuts.
Bike: 16.5
Today’s extra miles come via a trip to the dentist and the bank.
--
I read a few interesting bits on the internets today.
First a vehicular cyclist perhaps rightly argues against more bicycle related facilities by pointing out that “if we work hard at it, we can probably increase the relative numbers of cyclists on our streets from practically none to hardly any."
--
A report titled Driving and the Built Environment: The Effects of Compact Development on Motorized Travel, Energy Use, and CO2 Emissions was released today.
Impetus for Study: "A key question of interest is to what extent developing more compactly would reduce VMT and make alternative modes of travel (e.g., transit, walking) more feasible. The study is focused on metropolitan areas and on personal travel, the primary vectors through which policy changes that encourage more compact development should have the greatest effect."
People who like reading this sort of thing will enjoy reading this sort of thing.
--
I read, enjoyed, commented and became intrigued by this post from the Twin City Sidewalks blog: Death by a Thousand Curb Cuts.
Monday, August 31, 2009
090831 – Sliced Bread
I'm pretty sure riding ones bike to fetch freshly baked sliced bread is the best thing since...
Today's Transport
Bike: 17.2
--
I had occasion to use the bob trailer twice in two days; yesterday for fuel.
May we see the contents of your Bob, please?
Work clothes
Exercise clothes
Four computer hard drives
Four loaves of bread
Three jellies and jams
Butter
The Work Team enjoyed each other’s food all day. Potluck!
--
As a special treat, The Boy 7 mounted the trailing tub, found a nice place for his feet, and rode home from school on the trailer. Laughing the whole way, which is NOT CPSC approved behavior.
Today's Transport
Bike: 17.2
--
I had occasion to use the bob trailer twice in two days; yesterday for fuel.
May we see the contents of your Bob, please?
Work clothes
Exercise clothes
Four computer hard drives
Four loaves of bread
Three jellies and jams
Butter
The Work Team enjoyed each other’s food all day. Potluck!
--
As a special treat, The Boy 7 mounted the trailing tub, found a nice place for his feet, and rode home from school on the trailer. Laughing the whole way, which is NOT CPSC approved behavior.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
090830 - Slow Sunday
8/30 – Slow Sunday
The kids around and in my home have discovered the classic: card in the spokes = sounds like a motor. Vroom.
--
Today’s Transport –
Bike: 1.3
The four of us went for a short slow ride today. All those miles at less than 6mph average. We went to the corner for lawn mower fuel and snack type items. I love buying gas by bike.
--
Folks from the Sioux Falls Bike Collective attended Bike!Bike! a national cooperative effort to educate bike type people about not-for-profit bike projects. One of their guys sent a pretty optimistic report via the Facetubes that he’s bringing some new ideas back here with him.
The kids around and in my home have discovered the classic: card in the spokes = sounds like a motor. Vroom.
--
Today’s Transport –
Bike: 1.3
The four of us went for a short slow ride today. All those miles at less than 6mph average. We went to the corner for lawn mower fuel and snack type items. I love buying gas by bike.
--
Folks from the Sioux Falls Bike Collective attended Bike!Bike! a national cooperative effort to educate bike type people about not-for-profit bike projects. One of their guys sent a pretty optimistic report via the Facetubes that he’s bringing some new ideas back here with him.
090829 - So This Is How Saturday's Work
A woman at the farmer's market made a point of reading my t-shirt today. "The MinusCar Project", she said. "Minus is the new plus." She laughed in just the right way to indicate she didn't understand. I didn't bother to explain that it's similar to the principles by which she surely raises her natural beef.
Less is indeed more.
--
Today's transportation -
Bike: 5.8
Multi-occupant auto: 41.5
--
I noticed this Augie Green Bike out in the wild today. Very nice.
--
Sertoma Ave is being widened and urbanized between 12th and 26th. The City is building capacity for almost 32,000 vehicles a day in 20 years. A bike lane is being installed. I enjoyed the completed portion of that today and dealt with one vehicle.
Less is indeed more.
--
Today's transportation -
Bike: 5.8
Multi-occupant auto: 41.5
--
I noticed this Augie Green Bike out in the wild today. Very nice.
--
Sertoma Ave is being widened and urbanized between 12th and 26th. The City is building capacity for almost 32,000 vehicles a day in 20 years. A bike lane is being installed. I enjoyed the completed portion of that today and dealt with one vehicle.
Friday, August 28, 2009
090828 – MMFM
It’s Friday. I had some lunchtime errands to run. I love that because it means More Miles For Me! The GPS helps me make pretty pictures.
Today’s Transport –
Bike: 24.3
--
Yesterday at the end of the day I had a conversation with a reporter from the local daily.
--
Heading to work there was a slight nip in the air. Heading home from work there were some cold low grey clouds. Felt a lot like the first snow was in the air – for want of 30 fewer degrees.
Today’s Transport –
Bike: 24.3
--
Yesterday at the end of the day I had a conversation with a reporter from the local daily.
--
Heading to work there was a slight nip in the air. Heading home from work there were some cold low grey clouds. Felt a lot like the first snow was in the air – for want of 30 fewer degrees.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
090827 – Corrections
When I don't blog I don't make errors here. When I occasionally blog I occasionally make errors. Now that I try to do something everyday…well…
First: I rode the freshly laid sharrow today nearly from tip to top. It in fact doesn’t stay on West from 41st to 22nd. It jogs at 28th, east one block, to take advantage of the traffic control device at 26th and Lake. I also noticed in the course of today’s travels that many of the sharrows on 22nd St have been refreshed.
Second: Reverend Billy Talen secured twice the required signatures to be placed on the NYC Mayoral ballot. I noted with interest a headline today indicating that incumbent Mayor Bloomberg feels as though he’s running unopposed. He’s probably right, but I believe being in the game is more important than winning - especially when the game is unwinnable.
--
I enjoyed lunch at the Pickle Barrel today. I’m just saying.
--
I talked with a print reporter today.
--
I found occasion to transport myself.
Today’s transportation:
Bike: 20.9
First: I rode the freshly laid sharrow today nearly from tip to top. It in fact doesn’t stay on West from 41st to 22nd. It jogs at 28th, east one block, to take advantage of the traffic control device at 26th and Lake. I also noticed in the course of today’s travels that many of the sharrows on 22nd St have been refreshed.
Second: Reverend Billy Talen secured twice the required signatures to be placed on the NYC Mayoral ballot. I noted with interest a headline today indicating that incumbent Mayor Bloomberg feels as though he’s running unopposed. He’s probably right, but I believe being in the game is more important than winning - especially when the game is unwinnable.
--
I enjoyed lunch at the Pickle Barrel today. I’m just saying.
--
I talked with a print reporter today.
--
I found occasion to transport myself.
Today’s transportation:
Bike: 20.9
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
090826 – How It Should Be
Today’s transportation:
Bike: 12.4
--
In defense of questionable but resourceful craftsmanship here. The rear tire was without duct tape – and flat.
--
I should have mentioned tensions were high on yesterday’s bus ride. There was a strike to a thigh and a kick in return. A shout of, “Quit kicking me!” and then he scampered off the bus to avoid additional recourse. It was incredibly childish.
I also saw someone get hissed at; with unconfirmed reports of trace amounts of venom.
--
The bike trail north of Maple will closed for repaving beginning tomorrow - with apology for short notice. Repaving? Shut it down yesterday without notice if you’re going to repave it – is my opinion. Thank you The City.
Click for official announcement.
Bike: 12.4
--
In defense of questionable but resourceful craftsmanship here. The rear tire was without duct tape – and flat.
--
I should have mentioned tensions were high on yesterday’s bus ride. There was a strike to a thigh and a kick in return. A shout of, “Quit kicking me!” and then he scampered off the bus to avoid additional recourse. It was incredibly childish.
I also saw someone get hissed at; with unconfirmed reports of trace amounts of venom.
--
The bike trail north of Maple will closed for repaving beginning tomorrow - with apology for short notice. Repaving? Shut it down yesterday without notice if you’re going to repave it – is my opinion. Thank you The City.
Click for official announcement.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
090825 – This Ain’t No Perfect World
I took the bus downtown this evening to attend the Shape Sioux Falls 2035 Open House. On the way there I stopped to get a picture of this sculpture. I have great difficulties with the physics.
The open house was all fine and interesting. I dropped a few comments on sticky notes. In a perfect world I’d read the full document (which can be downloaded) and offer a complete review.
--
In a perfect world lovers wake up with a kiss.
--
Today’s transportation:
Walk: 0.8
Bus: 10.5
Multi-occupant auto: 5.25
Single-occupant auto: 4.6
Storms this morning forced a late departure from home and a motor assisted drive to work.
--
During the day I heard rumor and later was able to confirm from the bus – the sharrows proposed as part of the alternate on-street route of the bike path have been painted. The proposal was West Ave from south of 41st to 22nd. 22nd Street has existing sharrows. South of 41st the sharrows zig and zag and ultimately discontinue near the 49th and Western intersection.
I think I’ll dub this the Drube sharrow. He’ll probably insist on the Christensen sharrow.
The open house was all fine and interesting. I dropped a few comments on sticky notes. In a perfect world I’d read the full document (which can be downloaded) and offer a complete review.
--
In a perfect world lovers wake up with a kiss.
--
Today’s transportation:
Walk: 0.8
Bus: 10.5
Multi-occupant auto: 5.25
Single-occupant auto: 4.6
Storms this morning forced a late departure from home and a motor assisted drive to work.
--
During the day I heard rumor and later was able to confirm from the bus – the sharrows proposed as part of the alternate on-street route of the bike path have been painted. The proposal was West Ave from south of 41st to 22nd. 22nd Street has existing sharrows. South of 41st the sharrows zig and zag and ultimately discontinue near the 49th and Western intersection.
I think I’ll dub this the Drube sharrow. He’ll probably insist on the Christensen sharrow.
Monday, August 24, 2009
090824 - Seemingly Unrelated.
First and most important is the Shape Sioux Falls 2035 Comprehensive Plan Open House is tomorrow (Tuesday) from 4 to 6pm at the downtown Orpheum Theater.
When I look around the city and wonder how it is that we ended up with the transportation structure we have now - I know the answer. 25 years ago a group like Shape Sioux Falls got together and thought it would be a good idea to make arterial roads every mile and then roads that go nowhere inside each square mile.
Tomorrow is another time for me to see what my generation’s Shape Sioux Falls is doing and see if I have any of my own suggestions.
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This weekend was the downtown criterium. I volunteered all day with CycleSD keeping confused motorists and indifferent pedestrians generally out of the way of the racing action at 6th & Phillips. I have no idea who won the races but I saw a lot of left turning and certainly enjoyed myself.
--
Seemingly unrelated – I can’t wait for my next visit to Pickle Barrel.
--
At the race I caught up with a The MinusCar Project reader. She and her husband are in their 6th year of car free living. She's pregnant. They were looking at a car purchase but began to wonder if they weren't shopping for something now that they really won't need for another five years. Car shopping is on hold.
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Today’s transport –
Bike: 0
Walk: 1.3
Bus: 4.6
Multi-occupant auto: 6.5
Single-occupant auto: 3.1
--
The Reverend Billy Talen from the Church of Stop Shopping is running for NYC mayor. He’s secured the 18,000 signatures required for placement on the ballot. Vote Rev Billy!
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Finally, I saw this on the Urbana-Champaign Cycling Ventures blog. And I liked it. And I put it here.
When I look around the city and wonder how it is that we ended up with the transportation structure we have now - I know the answer. 25 years ago a group like Shape Sioux Falls got together and thought it would be a good idea to make arterial roads every mile and then roads that go nowhere inside each square mile.
Tomorrow is another time for me to see what my generation’s Shape Sioux Falls is doing and see if I have any of my own suggestions.
--
This weekend was the downtown criterium. I volunteered all day with CycleSD keeping confused motorists and indifferent pedestrians generally out of the way of the racing action at 6th & Phillips. I have no idea who won the races but I saw a lot of left turning and certainly enjoyed myself.
--
Seemingly unrelated – I can’t wait for my next visit to Pickle Barrel.
--
At the race I caught up with a The MinusCar Project reader. She and her husband are in their 6th year of car free living. She's pregnant. They were looking at a car purchase but began to wonder if they weren't shopping for something now that they really won't need for another five years. Car shopping is on hold.
--
Today’s transport –
Bike: 0
Walk: 1.3
Bus: 4.6
Multi-occupant auto: 6.5
Single-occupant auto: 3.1
--
The Reverend Billy Talen from the Church of Stop Shopping is running for NYC mayor. He’s secured the 18,000 signatures required for placement on the ballot. Vote Rev Billy!
--
Finally, I saw this on the Urbana-Champaign Cycling Ventures blog. And I liked it. And I put it here.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
090820 - Fool Me Once, Can't Get Fooled Again
The weatherman didn't fool me today. 40% chance or greater of rain all day, pfft. I didn't even bother with the umbrella. When are they going to make constipated skies an official forecast option?
Today's transportation in miles -
Bike: 6.5
Walk: 0
Bus: 0
Multi-occupant vehicle: 1.6
Single-occupant vehicle: 6.6
I was prepared to walk a bunch but a strange man in a Cadillac pulled up to the curb and offered me a cigar and a ride to anywhere...after he dropped me off I had to drive the rental home.
I enjoyed this blog post on Urban-Crawl about parenting and cycling and cycling parenting. Thanks to Jim and Planetary Gears for pointing it out in his child laden bike camping trip report. Finally, nice to find Snakebite in the Urban-Crawl comments pointing to the Free Range Kids blog.
There's a book too.
Today's transportation in miles -
Bike: 6.5
Walk: 0
Bus: 0
Multi-occupant vehicle: 1.6
Single-occupant vehicle: 6.6
I was prepared to walk a bunch but a strange man in a Cadillac pulled up to the curb and offered me a cigar and a ride to anywhere...after he dropped me off I had to drive the rental home.
I enjoyed this blog post on Urban-Crawl about parenting and cycling and cycling parenting. Thanks to Jim and Planetary Gears for pointing it out in his child laden bike camping trip report. Finally, nice to find Snakebite in the Urban-Crawl comments pointing to the Free Range Kids blog.
There's a book too.
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