Culture Shock

Some things just need to be said.

Relocation Observations

The decision to make a transition to the East Coast (from the San Francisco, CA area to Pittsburgh, PA) was not a simple one. It’s likely that everyone takes a lot of time to consider their chosen lifestyle habits and the impact such a significant change will have on them. For me, the minimum requirements for a livable community include bicycle access on roadways to urban areas, a plethora of (technical) trail networks, a passionate cycling community, development of youth programs, and awareness of economic/energy/healthfulness impact by local politicians. Over the last few years, family needs have increased simultaneous with my academic pursuit; I’ve been keeping Pittsburgh on my radar. In my research on lifestyle compatibility, it can’t be discerned whether the community has grown more cohesive or my methods of research are more competent. The ultimate observation is that the cycling community here has needs, opportunity and a welcome atmosphere for new ideas. I’m hoping to continue contributing to the Bay Area advocacy scene with the expanding resources and yet call Pittsburgh my new home and primary focus. Expect to see and hear more news on Pittsburgh…

Bike Lane Projector Liberates All

One word: Righteous!!

More here.

SF MTA approves bike lane changes

“The logic offered by MTA traffic engineer Jack Fleck and the City
Attorney’s Office (which is apparently concerned about liability
issues after a couple injured cyclists sued the city) is that forcing
bikes and cars to merge into one lane will prevent drivers from
inadvertently turning into cyclists. “

Another take from SF Bike Coalition.

“Bike to Work” book

Complimenting evidence that you should ride your bike to work, instead of getting in some car.

” * Riding a bike is cheaper than driving a car.
* On a round-trip commute of 10 miles, bicyclists save roughly $10 daily and spare the air 10 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Commute Solutions, Emissions calculations They also burn 360 calories! SmartTrips
* Based on gas prices of about $4/gallon, the annual direct cost of owning, operating, and driving a passenger car roughly 15,000 miles is nearly $14,000. (It costs about $300 a year to maintain a bike.) Commute Solutions; Moritz, 1997 “

~ from Bikes Belong

Introducing the Commuter Phenom

My coffee hasn’t kicked in yet, and I am pedaling a high cadence in a low gear to warm up my legs, one icy morning. Every morning, I stop at the customized intersection that the presence of the new Oakland Whole Foods solicits. A tear from wind chill falls down my cheek. I wait as the rush hour car traffic crosses my path for the freeway entrance, when a flurry of bike commuters race through the intersection – green light or not – racing to the underpass. Most mornings, this just makes me more grumpy… but today, I am enamored by the specialness of the business suit and foam helmet combination. I find great irony in the juxtaposition of confidence despite their equipment and skill level, in contrast with the racers I have actually competed with. So brave! Indeed, the new breed of commuter does not see threshold as something limited by their heart rate, VO2 max, or power wattage. They see the destination they used to reach by driving, as an obstacle to be surmounted on bicycle – mountain or high water. So strong! I can just see the preoccupied thought bubbles follow behind them, as they put their heads down for the hammer: “Why are there so many cars on this street?”, as they continue with their habitual driving path. My heart pangs for them to know the route I’ve carefully selected, which is much more pleasant.

Of course, still living a rushed lifestyle makes them inherently competitive and prone to overloading their bikes to a burdensome degree. As I let the swarm of businessmen rush across the intersection in front of me, I head towards the bike boulevard one block further and I am hit with a wave of smells. I wonder what their coworkers must think of all this newfound body odor? Are they really that polite? Are the unstable gas prices improving the demand for body deodorant?

Now I am awake.