Bike Week Volunteer Orientation Meeting
Presented by Rochester Cycling Alliance, www.rochestercyclingalliance.org.

When: Wednesday March 10 @ 7 – 9 p.m.
Where: Genesee Waterways Center Boathouse at Genesee Valley Park
DIRECTIONS: http://geneseewaterways.org/directions_gwc.htm.

A meeting for anyone interested in helping out with the RCA’s many planned events for Bike Week, May 21-28 2010. Learn about the RCA, the events planned, and how you can help.

Saturday, July 18, Greenway Bike Ride Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the trailhead in Canawaugus Park on River Road (Rte 251) in Scottsville for a 1 1/2 hour, 14 mile ride south to Rt. 5 in Avon and back. Bring water. Ride Leader: Richard DeSarra. 585-461-5363 or rdsbike@rochester.rr.com.

Tom Low, Town of Brighton Commissioner of Public Works
585.784.5225, thomas.low@townofbrighton.org.

NEWS RELEASE
Brighton, NY, July 3, 2009 – The Town of Brighton will hold a Public Meeting to review the concept of a multi-use trail connecting Town Hall and the Erie Canal. The meeting will be held on July 27th from 7pm-9pm at the Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Ave. The I-590 Bicycle / Pedestrian Bypass Trail Feasibility Study is nearing completion, and the Town wishes to gather additional feedback on the preferred trail alignment identified in the Draft Report.

In its 2000 Comprehensive Plan, the Town identified a concept for a trail connecting the Town Hall Complex on Elmwood Avenue to the Erie Canal at Meridian Centre Park. This Feasibility Study explores the viability of the whole corridor of the I-590 Bicycle / Pedestrian Bypass trail, with consideration given to location alternatives, design recommendations, funding sources, and phasing strategies. The Preferred Trail Alignment map, along with the full Draft Report, is available on the Town’s website:http://www.townofbrighton.org/.

All are encouraged to attend the meeting and provide comments and suggestions.

Saturday, June 13, Greenway Bike Ride Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the trailhead in Canawaugus Park on River Road (Rte 251) in Scottsville for a 1 1/2 hour, 14 mile ride south to Rt. 5 in Avon and back. Bring water. Ride Leader: Richard DeSarra. 585-461-5363 or rdsbike@rochester.rr.com.

The city of Rochester’s Tuesday Nature Nights, includes a series of guided bike rides co-sponsored by MVP Health Care, starts on 6 p.m. Tuesday May 26 with a bike ride through the High Falls and Corn Hill neighborhoods area. Participants should meet at the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge.

The nature nights are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 25. A brochure listing all the rides is available via the city of Rochester Parks & Recreation Dept. Helmets required and riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Call (585) 428.6770.

A 10 year old boy was riding his bike without a helmet in my neighborhood. He ran a red light and hit a car. And died. Please stop running red lights. Please, please please.

Information about our aptly timed Ride of Silence is here.

Saturday, June 6 onboard Mary Jemison
“Bicycling and Boating” tour of the river and canal, culminating in a lunch cruise onboard Mary Jemison.

The Mission of Corn Hill Navigation (a not-for-profit organization) operators of the Sam Patch and Mary Jemison canal boats: to foster the improvement and sustainability of the Erie Canal and Genesee River for current and future generations through education, awareness, and enjoyment.

Bike & Boat Tour
Start location of the Mary Jemison boat tour and bicycle tour: Corn Hill Port, Exchange Blvd., Rochester.

Bike tour of Genesee Riverway Trail & the Erie Canal start time: 10:00 a.m. (90 minute ride)
Lead by Richard DeSarra, Rochester Bicycling Club Board member

Boat tour of the Genesee Rive and the Erie Canal start time: 12:00 noon. (75 minute tour)

Bike and boat tour options: cost associated with the boat tour & box lunch (optional),
bike tour is free.

For reservations you may call us at 585-262-5661 or online @ http://www.samandmary.org.

Many thanks to Bob for getting us an exclusive showing of Veer.

Veer is a documentary about the Portland, Oregon, bike scene. It is large and multifaceted. They follow a couple of groups around, from the DIY bike repair shops, to the lobbyists, to the synchronized mini-bike dancers, to the bike chariot racers. There’s a lot, so it’s worth seeing, whether you ride your bike or not.

I think people in Oregon are perhaps too interested in riding mini-bikes (kids bikes) and tall bikes. But at least they’re having fun. And that’s what I think is important. The majority of this documentary is about people having fun on bikes and changing what riding a bike means. They talk about how it’s not just about fitness or transportation anymore.

If Veer is meant to be inspirational and make you think about the bike community in your city, I think it sets the bar unreasonably high. Portland has been building their bicycle community for decades. I didn’t see anyone in that documentary whining about being passed too closely by a car, or crying about a lack of bike lanes. In fact, one guy got a ticket for breaking traffic laws and actually shook the officer’s hand. Cyclists in Portland are responsible riders. In Albany, we’re still struggling to get people (drivers and cyclists alike) to recognize that bikes belong in the streets.

Last night I rode my new bike to UAG to catch two bicycle movies.

Jungle Coaster was really impressive. The movie starts with footage of them goofing around in Panama. You get to see them jump up stairs two at a time, and then ride all the way down. These guys obviously know what they’re doing. So you can appreciate it when you see the “trail” they rode on to get to the Pacific and they have to walk. Climb. Carry their unis. Ouch. There’s footage of them crossing bridges I would be reluctant to cross on my own two legs, and leaping up onto fallen logs, and it’s really exciting to watch them go. But, no machetes? Ha ha. Everybody really enjoyed it, and half the crowd left when it was over.

The other movie was Red Light Go, which is about alleycat racing in NYC. They introduce you to some bike messengers who are your main characters, and they explain why they’re bike messengers. Then they get into the races. Which scare the crap out of me. It’s super cool to watch these guys careen through traffic, pedestrians, each other, but I’m glad I don’t have to do it. There are no rules, no concern for anybody’s safety. It’s about being a daredevil and winning. And they’re very good at it.

As I was riding home I was thinking about going to the Troy Bike Rescue and building my own alleycat bike. I wanted to treat each ride to work and ride home like a race. Go go go. I was all hepped up on heavy metal and attitude. By the time I got home I had come to my senses. I’ve never even raced in an alleycat.

Perry Woodin’s “Jungle Coaster” followed by the classic feature — “Red Light Go”
Upstate Artists Guild Gallery, 247 Lark St. (across from Ben & Jerry’s at Jay St.)
Doors open – 6:30
Showtime – 7:00 (Some announcements stated a 7:30 show time. We will have a special “critical mass” video as a warm up while we wait for latecomers.)
Contribution please ($5 suggested) to offset UAG’s costs.

It’s Bike to Work Week
Go ahead, use the full lane
‘Cause you deserve it

Saw a LOT of bikes at Tulip Fest. I put some up in a Flickr set.

Last night I biked to the Sanctuary for Independent Media to catch “Two Wheels Good,” a bicycle movie celebration.

I showed up for the group ride. I watched the people coming and going on their boats.

Nobody showed up, so I took off on my own. It took me about 40 minutes to get there, and I felt like I was “booking.” The Corning Trail was like running a gauntlet of bugs. I couldn’t keep my head up because they’d get in my mouth, nose, and eyes. I could hear them pinging off my helmet, and feel them getting stuck in the hair on my arms. Ew.

The valet parking left a little to be desired. But then, maybe I was just too early. Still, it’s nice to see people’s bikes.

Troy Bicycle Rescue was raffling off this sweet cruiser bike.

Eventually the movies started. They were wonderful. There really was something for everyone. Monty Python. Footage of unicyclists in an ice race in Schenectady. A bit about not doping in bike racing. Women biking across the country, or cutting down mountain trails. DIY bike repair. Everything.

My favorite was “Ski Boys” by Benny Zenga. It made me want to be a kid again. You can watch that one here.

Then the ride home. I got stopped on 6th by some young guys who loved the MonkeyLectric lights on my bike. Perhaps it’s racist of me to say this, but white people do not appreciate the glory of LEDs that make a pattern when they spin around. I rode home alone. Going through Menands was wonderful. The traffic was light, the street lights were on. I just took the whole lane and sped along. I rode with no hands for blocks and blocks, my windbreaker flapping like a flag.

More pics here.

This Friday, May 8th, the Sanctuary For Independent Media in Troy is showing “Two Wheels Good.” There’ll be a group ride from Albany to the Sanctuary meeting at the boat launch on the Corning Trail at 5:30. More here.

The 2009 Bicycle Road Map is now available at all Monroe County Bicycle Shops

The Times Union published a story today about a 14-year-old cyclist hit in Albany.

COLONIE – A 14-year-old is in stable condition at Albany Medical Center Hospital after being hit by an SUV Monday as he crossed Central Avenue.

Police said the incident occurred at 5:47 p.m. between Colonie Center and Northway Mall when Carlos Perez of Albany rode into the path of a Honda CRV driven by Colleen Williams of Albany.

Perez was thrown from the bike and landed on the hood of the SUV before rolling to the ground, police said. He suffered a concussion, broken bones and cuts on his head and neck, police said.

No tickets were issued. Witnesses said Perez was not crossing in a designated area and also said Williams had a green light.

Anyone who witnessed the crash can call Sgt. Robert Donnelly at 783-2744.

A bicycle class on using your bicycle to commute to work and other utilitarian uses.

Class limit is 30.

When: Thursday, May 21st, 7PM – 9PM

Where: Genesee Waterways Center, 149 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14611 (585) 328-3960

Please fill in the application (Click on “Registration link”), and send to Richard DeSarra by May 17, 2009.

Registration link: http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/Transportation/Bike_Course.html.

Sponsored by:
Rochester Bicycling Club and
Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club.

On Sunday May 3, 2009 the local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will hold its annual MS WALK.

More than 1,000 walkers will be starting at the Genesee Valley Park – Roundhouse Pavilion, on the east side of the river, to raise funds in the fight to stop Multiple Sclerosis.

We are in need of four patrollers to ride your bicycle or walk in the parking lot and along the route. You will be the eyes and ears of the medical and security staff of the MS WALK.

You will need a cell phone, along with your bicycle or walking shoes, and appropriate clothing. The event is held rain or shine.

Patrollers will be needed from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Food and beverage provided.

Please RSVP to rdsbike@rochester.rr.com

Thank you,
Richard DeSarra
585.461.5363

A discussion to help reduce your carbon footprint sponsored by
the Sierra Club, the Rochester Bicycling Club and
presented by the Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety

Free & Open to the Public

Thursday – March 19, 2009 7:00pm

Brighton Town Auditorium
2300 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618

This discussion will provide information on the vehicle and traffic laws of NYS and how they apply to new or experienced bicyclists.

We will cover:
common collision scenarios and how to avoid them.
safe riding techniques to keep bicyclists safe on the streets.
useful information on riding safely and legally in traffic.
preparing new or experienced bicyclists for an understanding of vehicular cycling.

Questions? Please contact:
Jean Triest (585) 753-3016 jtriest@monroecounty.gov |
Frank Regan (585) 224-9075 frankregan@rochesterenvironment.com

This image was featured today at one of my favorite blogs, BAGnewsNotes. Head over there for details and discussion.

The Initiative for Healthy Infrastructure at the University of Albany has completed its feasibility study on the Central Avenue Bikeway. You can download a PDF of the study at the IHI site.