Lance (Armstrong) wants his hometown to “evolve into a place like Portland”
#26
Keep Your Distance
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I think the bicycles (and other forms of human powered vehicles) are a great solution to for relieving congestion in cities and for local suburban commutes. But these will never serve the suburban households where the commute is 30+ miles one way and for soccer moms who have to haul 2-3 kids around after school. I think Hybrid vehicles are a step in the right direction for those purposes.
#27
Really Old Senior Member
#28
a blend of wit and charm
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#29
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Austin's business district is better than most for bikes, and is a million times better than any other city in the cultural wasteland that is texas (outside austin anyhow). The few times I've been in Austin there were enough bikes that people weren't surprised to see them and knew how to behave around them, and the buses all had bike racks
I'd love to see him on a real bike wearing street clothes. Any pics?
I'd love to see him on a real bike wearing street clothes. Any pics?
#31
Senior Member
"Lance Armstrong on a Tall Bike" has kind of a ring to it. I like it.
Also like the concept of the store, and whatever negative connotations people are eager to promote, his name has a lot of recognition power. Most of the roadies I know (and ride with in summer months) either refuse to commute or do so only under the fairest of fair weather conditions. This sort of thing ought to help.
I wish some of the old 7-eleven riders - or even Lemond - had done something like it years ago... but maybe the timing wasn't right.
Also like the concept of the store, and whatever negative connotations people are eager to promote, his name has a lot of recognition power. Most of the roadies I know (and ride with in summer months) either refuse to commute or do so only under the fairest of fair weather conditions. This sort of thing ought to help.
I wish some of the old 7-eleven riders - or even Lemond - had done something like it years ago... but maybe the timing wasn't right.
#32
Stan
I love that Lance is advocating for the commuter. We need a champion......
#33
Pedaling fool
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FRESH from the San Jose Mercury news...and to stir the pot a little:
https://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_8269129
https://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_8269129
#34
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FRESH from the San Jose Mercury news...and to stir the pot a little:
https://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_8269129
https://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_8269129
You are way off topic!
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Keep in mind that pasts threads about the reasons for bike commuting have debunked the myth that we do it because of gas prices or to save the earth, although those are cited as secondary reasons. But, I like your unspoken thought that bike commuting is coming on. There seems to be an attitude here supporting this. Is it real--or is this forum responsible for the hype? I want to believe in it, too, but I'm not convinced it's real.
#38
SERENITY NOW!!!
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Somewhat related: Dave Zabriskie wants to educate motorists and cyclists on safety: linky.
Originally Posted by Dave Zabriskie
I always start the off season being struck by the stark contrast between the cycling cultures in America and Europe. I have been hit by cars many times — each one having been in America. Adding my personal experience to the current statistics on cycling accidents, I knew it was time to take action on an idea that had been percolating in my mind for some time.
This off season, I started Yield to Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting cycling. Motorists in America often seem to summarily dismiss cyclists out of hand as mere nuisances and inconveniences, deserving of neither time nor space. My purpose in starting Yield to Life is to personalize and humanize the issue of cyclists' rights with respect to road use — and to couple this sensitivity and awareness with education campaigns targeting both motorists and cyclists, young and old.
My goal is to create an environment with knowledgeable, respectful cyclists and motorists alike, an environment in which people are safe to ride. By making cycling safer, I hope to increase cycling activity – for each rider's own health and, more globally, for the health of the planet. We have been very pleased with the response so far and hope to keep the momentum going.
This off season, I started Yield to Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting cycling. Motorists in America often seem to summarily dismiss cyclists out of hand as mere nuisances and inconveniences, deserving of neither time nor space. My purpose in starting Yield to Life is to personalize and humanize the issue of cyclists' rights with respect to road use — and to couple this sensitivity and awareness with education campaigns targeting both motorists and cyclists, young and old.
My goal is to create an environment with knowledgeable, respectful cyclists and motorists alike, an environment in which people are safe to ride. By making cycling safer, I hope to increase cycling activity – for each rider's own health and, more globally, for the health of the planet. We have been very pleased with the response so far and hope to keep the momentum going.
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#39
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Cool. One more reason to like Dave Z. (That and the "Main-taint-enance" bit on his blog....)
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No offence to portland,because I've been there several times and I enjoyed the area, but if we are to emulate a city for its bike culture it should be copenhagen. They are way ahead of everybody. Spend some time at this website and see what we are missing.
https://cycleliciousness.blogspot.com/
Glad to see lance trying to make his hometown a better place. That doesn't supprise me at all.
https://cycleliciousness.blogspot.com/
Glad to see lance trying to make his hometown a better place. That doesn't supprise me at all.
Last edited by carlton; 02-15-08 at 09:42 PM.
#41
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He'd probably enjoy doing that. And then when he lets the dude catch up, they ask him who the hell he thinks he is... Lance Armstrong********** And he just smiles and rides off.
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#42
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Austin should bee a great place to try this. There are some good size hills to deal with in areas, but downtown is relatively flat and the wind is usually much less.
If you have even one or two cyclists on the same road and within sight it seems cars treat you decent enough, riding together and you almost get respected...alone and you better be very aware and ready for some harassment. Even 100 additional regular riders should help everyone out. More regular looking riders might help too...
I see the heat of summer being a problem for many, I am not looking forward to it myself. Already had one heat stroke outside of cycling and fell close while riding this last summer on one of the worst days.
If you have even one or two cyclists on the same road and within sight it seems cars treat you decent enough, riding together and you almost get respected...alone and you better be very aware and ready for some harassment. Even 100 additional regular riders should help everyone out. More regular looking riders might help too...
I see the heat of summer being a problem for many, I am not looking forward to it myself. Already had one heat stroke outside of cycling and fell close while riding this last summer on one of the worst days.
#43
muzikchick
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I wish Austin was as forward thinking as Portland in many ways but the truth is it is VERY DANGEROUS to bike in Austin. We just had another death yesterday - this time a cyclist killed a pedestrian. I guess the heirarchy is car hits bike - bike at fault. bike hits pedestrian - pedestrian at fault - or so the police say. Rather than touting his bike shop Lance should lobby for real bike lanes and promote commuting.
#44
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#45
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I wish Austin was as forward thinking as Portland in many ways but the truth is it is VERY DANGEROUS to bike in Austin. We just had another death yesterday - this time a cyclist killed a pedestrian. I guess the heirarchy is car hits bike - bike at fault. bike hits pedestrian - pedestrian at fault - or so the police say. Rather than touting his bike shop Lance should lobby for real bike lanes and promote commuting.
#46
Velocommuter Commando
In fact the bike market has long been flip flopped in the wrong direction. If LBSes where car dealers they historically would have been selling Indy cars, stock cars and (in the case of MTBs) Baja racers. Instead of Sedans(Or Monte Carlo SS for those who want to look the part of a NASCAR driver) , pickups, or those desiring performance Mustang, Corvettes, Ferraris, Porches.
Most riders ride in charity rides masquerading as races. Some of these rides like to play both sides of the fence. The MS150 comes to mind. They film and photograph you like your riding the Tour De France and most of the "racers" show up with their tricked out road bikes, but it is really a tour and a touring bike would be just as effective over the course. Probably more so based on some of the walkers I saw once we hit the hill country that were in need of "one more lower gear"
Instead of pure racing machines with no rack eyelets or mounting points the LBS should have been pushing touring machines all along. The only the real hard core true racers would know the difference. I'd be willing to bet that the only place a touring machine would show any shortcoming would be in a criterium. For centuries and the Charity rides marketing themselves as races the touring machine would work just fine.
In fact, whenever I see an ad for a classic road bike from the '80s on Craiglist or Ebay I have to laugh when it states that "It would make a great commuter" because most of them are pure race machines and have no eyelets for even a rear rack. Which means that carrying anything more than what would fit in a seat bag, or jersey pocket borders on the awkward.
Last edited by Sirrus Rider; 07-09-08 at 08:03 AM.
#47
bulletproof tiger
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#48
Velocommuter Commando
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#50
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Are there any roads in Austin other than I-35? Whenever I'm driving through town, it seems the whole city is parked on I-35.