Monday, June 30, 2008
Food for thought
I know there are some families who can't walk or bike their kids to school because of schedules or geography. But it's worthwhile to think about whether or not it's possible for you to use your feet or bikes to get kids to school this fall. Not sure? Try out a route or two this summer. Ask your neighbors and fellow parents about walking or biking in a group; safety in numbers, right?
Here are some great thoughts from a fellow RC Biking Mom:
In 2004 42,800 died on the nation’s highways -- a far, far higher number than either pedestrians or cyclists. (In 2003, the number of pedestrians killed was 4,749.)
I remained amazed that people think being in a car is safer than walking. In spite of being surround by steel, air bags, etc., you are far more likely to be killed in a car than on the street. Given that every American who is not house-bound is a pedestrian at some point and not everyone rides in a car, the numbers are astounding.
The most dangerous way for children to get to school is in a car driven by a teenager. The second most dangerous way is in a car driven by an adult. Both biking and walking are safer for children and for adults -- plus, it cuts down the waistline....
gotta go walk to school -
Here are some great thoughts from a fellow RC Biking Mom:
In 2004 42,800 died on the nation’s highways -- a far, far higher number than either pedestrians or cyclists. (In 2003, the number of pedestrians killed was 4,749.)
I remained amazed that people think being in a car is safer than walking. In spite of being surround by steel, air bags, etc., you are far more likely to be killed in a car than on the street. Given that every American who is not house-bound is a pedestrian at some point and not everyone rides in a car, the numbers are astounding.
The most dangerous way for children to get to school is in a car driven by a teenager. The second most dangerous way is in a car driven by an adult. Both biking and walking are safer for children and for adults -- plus, it cuts down the waistline....
gotta go walk to school -
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Smoked out
As you may have noticed, the air quality the last few days has not been so great. Tuesday early in the day was fine, but when I walked out of the house mid-afternoon, it was like walking into a cigar club. Or maybe it was more like pipe smoke. Anyway, it's a concern with regard to exercise. Yesterday during the exercise class that I teach, one of the moms complained of a scratchy throat about two-thirds of the way through class, so I cut the cardio portion short. This poorly written article says we're surrounded by fires, but doesn't specifically mention San Mateo County air quality problems. After I ride the boys to school, I'll decide whether to continue to my errands in San Carlos or go home.
Labels: air quality, fire
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Liberal bicycle laws in Idaho!
Who would have thought?? But apparently it's true. Since 1982, Idaho has had a law on the books that allows bikes to treat stop signs like yield signs and stop lights like stop signs. California is now considering the same thing, apparently. An idea whose time came long ago. But what would Woodside cops do with their weekends?
Published Wednesday, May 14, 2008, by the San Francisco Bay Guardian
The Bike Issue: Don't stop
Bike lessons from Idaho
By Rachael Daigle
In the two miles between my home and office in downtown Boise, there
are five stop signs and 10 traffic lights. On a good day, I can make
the journey without coming to a complete stop.
That doesn't happen in my car because, of course, I'm a law-abiding
driver. Yet on my bicycle, it's possible for me to cruise through
all five stop signs and effortlessly cruise right on through the
downtown corridor without once touching my feet to the pavement.
And in Idaho, it's completely legal.
Although cycling commuters here often bemoan the city's ineffective
bike lane system and criticize the lack of public bicycle parking,
nary a word is spoken about the state's progressive bicycle traffic
laws. Thanks to some forward-thinking state legislators a couple of
decades ago, Idaho's bike laws are the envy of cyclists throughout
the country.
The concept is a simple one that allows bicyclists to keep their
momentum without ever taking the right-of-way from motorists:
basically, stop signs are treated a yield signs, and stop lights as
stop signs. Bicycles can legally blow through stop signs as long as
it isn't another driver's turn. And at red lights, bicycles must
stop, but can proceed if the intersection is clear
"There are lots of good reasons for it," said attorney Kurt Holzer,
who specializes in bicycle accidents. Aside from the fact that a
waiting cyclist won't trip a traffic light changing mechanism, Holzer
said the laws are in place for safety reasons. "If you have a bike on
the right side and a car wants to turn right, the law allows the bike
through the intersection, through the area of conflict, so the biker
can get out of the way."
Newcomers to Boise often muse that people are less defined by what
they drive than what's hanging from their bike racks. Boise's mayor
endorses the bicycle and is a regular bike commuter. Mayor Dave
Bieter is often seen pedaling to City Hall on his red 1969 Schwinn
Typhoon -- the bike he got for his 10th birthday.
Rather than each faction exerting ownership over the pavement,
cyclists should know and follow all the laws, while drivers should
concede that bicycles are different from cars and should therefore
be subject to different laws. Stopping at empty intersections is
cumbersome for drivers and cyclists alike -- but cyclists aren't
likely to kill pedestrians with their carelessness.
By drawing a legal line in the sand between cars and bikes, allowing
them different rules in the same environment, Idaho's bike laws
ultimately foster a mutual respect between drivers and cyclists. In
Boise it's common to see road signs instructing drivers and cyclists
to "share the road." It may be common sense advice for cyclists, but
to motorists, it's a subtle reminder that bigger shouldn't mean
better.
Rachael Daigle is a staff writer for Boise Weekly.
Published Wednesday, May 14, 2008, by the San Francisco Bay Guardian
The Bike Issue: Don't stop
Bike lessons from Idaho
By Rachael Daigle
In the two miles between my home and office in downtown Boise, there
are five stop signs and 10 traffic lights. On a good day, I can make
the journey without coming to a complete stop.
That doesn't happen in my car because, of course, I'm a law-abiding
driver. Yet on my bicycle, it's possible for me to cruise through
all five stop signs and effortlessly cruise right on through the
downtown corridor without once touching my feet to the pavement.
And in Idaho, it's completely legal.
Although cycling commuters here often bemoan the city's ineffective
bike lane system and criticize the lack of public bicycle parking,
nary a word is spoken about the state's progressive bicycle traffic
laws. Thanks to some forward-thinking state legislators a couple of
decades ago, Idaho's bike laws are the envy of cyclists throughout
the country.
The concept is a simple one that allows bicyclists to keep their
momentum without ever taking the right-of-way from motorists:
basically, stop signs are treated a yield signs, and stop lights as
stop signs. Bicycles can legally blow through stop signs as long as
it isn't another driver's turn. And at red lights, bicycles must
stop, but can proceed if the intersection is clear
"There are lots of good reasons for it," said attorney Kurt Holzer,
who specializes in bicycle accidents. Aside from the fact that a
waiting cyclist won't trip a traffic light changing mechanism, Holzer
said the laws are in place for safety reasons. "If you have a bike on
the right side and a car wants to turn right, the law allows the bike
through the intersection, through the area of conflict, so the biker
can get out of the way."
Newcomers to Boise often muse that people are less defined by what
they drive than what's hanging from their bike racks. Boise's mayor
endorses the bicycle and is a regular bike commuter. Mayor Dave
Bieter is often seen pedaling to City Hall on his red 1969 Schwinn
Typhoon -- the bike he got for his 10th birthday.
Rather than each faction exerting ownership over the pavement,
cyclists should know and follow all the laws, while drivers should
concede that bicycles are different from cars and should therefore
be subject to different laws. Stopping at empty intersections is
cumbersome for drivers and cyclists alike -- but cyclists aren't
likely to kill pedestrians with their carelessness.
By drawing a legal line in the sand between cars and bikes, allowing
them different rules in the same environment, Idaho's bike laws
ultimately foster a mutual respect between drivers and cyclists. In
Boise it's common to see road signs instructing drivers and cyclists
to "share the road." It may be common sense advice for cyclists, but
to motorists, it's a subtle reminder that bigger shouldn't mean
better.
Rachael Daigle is a staff writer for Boise Weekly.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Trailers
I have two trailers: a single Burley and a double Chariot. There are a number of subtle, but important, differences.
Burley
Doesn't fold down (at least not my model)
Pretty light
Attaches to any bike
Front wheel flips down to make it a stroller
No parking or hand brake (at least on
my model)
Chariot
Folds down easily and small enough to go in a small station wagon
Kinda heavy
Requires special equipment installed on bike for attachment
Separate bars and wheel carried in back of trailer for jogger, easier set up for stroller
Parking break under back storage
Of course, these are the highest-end models. I got lucky and found a used Burley for only $100 and then decided to shell out the big bucks for the Chariot since I use it so much. (I would loose my mind if I couldn't ride my bike!) Target and other stores have much lower-priced models, which I don't have any experience with.
I personally haven't tried bike seats, with the kid riding on the back or front of the bike. Frankly, my balance isn't that good, and I'm afraid I'll fall over. But lots of people love them, so if anyone has experience with those and would like to share, we're all ears!
Burley
Doesn't fold down (at least not my model)
Pretty light
Attaches to any bike
Front wheel flips down to make it a stroller
No parking or hand brake (at least on
my model)
Chariot
Folds down easily and small enough to go in a small station wagon
Kinda heavy
Requires special equipment installed on bike for attachment
Separate bars and wheel carried in back of trailer for jogger, easier set up for stroller
Parking break under back storage
Of course, these are the highest-end models. I got lucky and found a used Burley for only $100 and then decided to shell out the big bucks for the Chariot since I use it so much. (I would loose my mind if I couldn't ride my bike!) Target and other stores have much lower-priced models, which I don't have any experience with.
I personally haven't tried bike seats, with the kid riding on the back or front of the bike. Frankly, my balance isn't that good, and I'm afraid I'll fall over. But lots of people love them, so if anyone has experience with those and would like to share, we're all ears!
Labels: trailers
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Heading to Stanford
Someone put together this nice route to Stanford that is very flat. It uses Hudson to cross Woodside which sounds OK, but I prefer Massachusetts. From there you take San Carlos to Selby, go left on Selby, right on West Selby, left on Atherton, right on Barry, and follow this route the rest of the way. I always enjoy riding around Stanford, especially on the weekends, when it's super-quiet. This is also a good way to get to downtown Menlo Park. Then, if you go down Santa Cruz Ave. to University to Menlo Ave, cross El Camino and the tracks, and turn right on Alma, you find a ped-bike path that gets you to downtown Palo Alto.
Labels: Menlo Park, routes, Stanford
