Bike Laws

MassBike has created a page on its site that links to the bike laws for the 50 states.  Here it is. http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/statelaws.htm.  This is now a link on the right side of this page, so you can find it in the future.

NHTSA – Bicyclist and Pedestrian Survey now Online

The New York Bicycle Coalition just reported:

The National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior has been released and is now available online: click here.

This report presents findings from the National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and administered by The Gallup Organization. The goals of the survey were to ascertain the scope and magnitude of bicycle and pedestrian activity and the public’s behavior and attitudes regarding bicycling and walking.

This survey is the source of the statistic that 57 million American adults ride bikes, and offers a wealth of other information on cyclist attitudes and behavior which planners, city officials, and bicycle & pedestrian advocates might find useful and informative. 

NYPIRG Clean Energy Bike Ride

It was cloudy and chilly, but not raining, today for NYPIRG’s Clean Energy Bike Ride that passed through Syracuse today on its way to NYC (I think).  There was press conference, during which our own Don Hughes talked about Syracuse’s Carbon Footprint.  Here are some photos from the event.

With Free Bikes, Challenging Car Culture on Campus – NYTimes.com

This article in the NY Times today reports on programs at universities which provide free bikes to students who leave their cars at home.  The NY Times charges for articles after they’ve been out for a couple of weeks, so if you can’t get it, you can email me for a copy.  Find my address on the Contacts tab.

With Free Bikes, Challenging Car Culture on Campus – NYTimes.com

CityRacks Design Competition Nears Final Selection

The City of New York is in the final stages of a design competition for the new standard bike rack for the city. Below is the link to the website.  If you scroll down the page, you can find images of the finalists. Click on them to see them larger.  CityRacks Design Competition

A New Fashion Catches On in Paris – Cheap Bicycle Rentals – NYTimes.com

This article from the New York Times was passed on to us back in July by our member Starke Donnally (Thanks, Starke), but I’ve only now had the presence of mind to do something with it.  It describes the inexpensive bicycle rental program that has started in Paris.  

A New Fashion Catches On in Paris – Cheap Bicycle Rentals – NYTimes.com

What “bike friendly” looks like | Gristmill: The environmental news blog | Grist

The blog The Gristmill has a wonderful article highlighting bike infrastructure in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany, and shows what it could look like here.  Check it out: 

What “bike friendly” looks like | Gristmill: The environmental news blog

Bicycle Commuter Act passes

This just in from the League of American Bicyclists:

After seven long years, the bicycle commuter tax provision has finally passed both the House and Senate as part of the financial bailout package. President Bush has said that he is eager to sign the legislation. “We are delighted that the bicycle commuter benefits act has passed after a lengthy and persistent campaign spearheaded by Congressman Blumenauer (D-OR),” said League President Andy Clarke. “Bicycle commuters will now be extended similar benefits to people who take transit and drive to work – it’s an equitable and sensible incentive to encourage greater energy independence, improve air quality and health, and even help tackle climate change. Thanks to everyone who has helped reach this milestone, especially Walter Finch and Mele Williams, our government relations staff over the years who have worked tirelessly with Congressman Blumenauer, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and many others in Congress.”

Thanks also to all of you around the country who have contacted your congressional leaders over the years. For specific details of how the bill works and how it is being implemented over time, keep checking back at this page at www.bikeleague.org.