Safe Routes to School... On a more positive note.

"Families at Bear Creek Elementary School in Boulder, Colorado are leading the community into life changing choices through a Car-Free Commute program. Through partnerships among the school, the City of Boulder, the Boulder Valley School District, and the Colorado SRTS Program, the number of students walking and bicycling to school has increased. Student travel tallies have shown that the percentage of students walking and bicycling to Bear Creek Elementary increased from 41 percent to 70 percent. A traffic count conducted by the City of Boulder found a 30 percent reduction in cars and corresponding traffic near the school.

Principal Kent Cruger serves as a role model for his students by hosting the Cruger Cup, a year-long challenge to arrive at school every day without a car. At the beginning of each month, Mr. Cruger tries a new form of transportation — he has been seen on a foot-powered scooter, a skateboard and a unicycle, and regularly car pools with other area principals to school district meetings.

“Although this initiative was initially adult-driven, it has been the students who have taken ownership of their own travel choices and inspired the adults around them,” says Cruger."

Read the full case study: www.saferoutesinfo.org/colorado

Bear Creek Elementary School was selected to receive the James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award for Outstanding Local Program in 2008.

I came across a story this morning on WorldChanging.com which hilights the emerging practice of elementary schools criticizing and even intimidating families of children who bike and walk to school. The impetus for this unfortunate behavior is fear of litigation against school districts stemming from children being abducted while traveling to school. There are a number of links in the article which profiles cities around the country in which this is happening (most alarming is a child who was met by school officials and a state trooper when he showed up to school with his bike after being asked not to.) I think this is an issue that definitely deserves attention...

http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/010539.html

Keep biking, kiddos.

Afghan candidate's bicycle campaign

"Every morning Sangin Mohammed Rahmani says goodbye to his wife, gets on his bicycle and sets out alone on a bumpy, unpaved Kabul road that he hopes will lead him to the presidency.

Presidential candidate Sangin Mohammed Rahmani goes out campaigning on his bicycle.

"This is going to be my vehicle to success," he says, patting his bicycle, as he pushes it down a rutted, garbage-strewn street. "With my bicycle and my mobile phone, I can solve all the problems of the people."

In a crowded field of 41 Afghan men and women running for president in the August 20th elections, Rahmani stands out because of his one-man, bicycle-borne campaign to become commander-in-chief. His is an unusually humble strategy in a society exhausted by decades of civil war and warlord-ism.

'Only a person who is poor can understand the condition of the poor," Rahmani explains. "The only person who can solve the problems of this country is someone who has experienced the problems firsthand."

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/03/afghanistan.cycle.presidential.campaign/

Consider your day brightened.

Daley Hearts Bikes.

Mayor Daley proposes $40 mil improvement to Chicago's lakefront bike path, which would alleviate one of the worst pinch points along the widely used commuter and recreational corridor.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?articleId=32362

"Construction is planned to start next year. To pay for it, the city is now seeking an additional $13.7 million in federal highway money set aside for projects that reduce pollution by taking cars off the road, on top of $8.6 million received years ago for design and engineering work. The federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program could eventually pay up to 80% of the cost."

Limousine

WAY TO GO, MINNEAPOLIS!

In May 2010, the city of Minneapolis will launch a public bike sharing program!

…you can read more here: http://www.niceridemn.com/

Taking the lead from countries like France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Canada, China, Brazil, Chile, and New Zealand - the bike sharing program will be the first of its kind in the United States.

Through this public investment in biking, Minneapolis is showing a commitment to improve our environment, cut down on traffic congestion and help keep its residents more healthy.

Even more exciting is the donation of one million dollars the program has received from Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

"We're excited to be a part of this innovative program that makes it easier for Minnesotans to be active in their daily lives, as our well-known campaign advocates," said Patrick Geraghty, president and CEO, Blue Cross. "With two-thirds of Minnesotans overweight or obese, we need creative solutions such as Nice Ride to put the brakes on this trend. Public bicycle-sharing can help more Minnesotans lead active and healthy lifestyles, starting with downtown workers and the students, staff and faculty on the University of Minnesota campus."

There will be about 1000 bikes in 80 kiosks around the city, with a yearly subscription at a cost of only $50.

Commuter Pain Index

I absolutely love the city of Chicago and often describe it as being close to my heart. And one of the reasons for that is the fact that I commute by bike. There are many reasons that I like biking in the city so much, but perhaps the biggest is that no matter where I'm going I really enjoy the process of getting there and thus often feel good when I arrive at my destination.

A Chicago Tribune Article from today citing an IBM poll suggested that my situation is very much not the case for the majority of Chicago commuters:

Nearly 100 percent of the Chicago respondents said roadway traffic is negatively influencing their health. Specifically, 44 percent cited increased stress levels; 25 percent said they easily become angrier; and 12 percent said they are getting less sleep.
In addition, 15 percent said traffic congestion is hurting their performance at work or at school, the survey found.

My suggestion to everyone in Chicago is start riding your bike to work. By doing so, you will save money, be healthier, reduce your carbon footprint and reduce traffic congestion for everyone else. And it's fun! Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

-- Biking rules. Spread the word.