Carlton Reid has been a journalist for various British cycling publications (print and online) for 20 years now. Some of you are familiar with his Quick Release blog, and he’s a good friend to the Crooked Cog team. Carlton posted some commentary on how many news stories about the increase in bicycle commuting lead off…
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Commuting 101: Make Them Hear You
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:27-28 (NIV) …Unless he or she is a cyclist… Children should be seen and not heard. …Unless they’re on a bike. Then they should be both… This is probably more applicable for those of you who ride…
When $5 in the tank doesn't cut it
Cars stranded on the side of the highway are starting to make waves in the media. People who are already trying hard to make ends meet by doing simple things like carpooling or stupid things like aggressive hypermiling (including intentional tailgating and failure to slow down adequately through cornering maneuvers) are still running out of…
Commute by car and go crazy
According to this LA Times article, sitting stuck in traffic can be bad for your mental health. Dr. Laura Pinegar, a Long Beach psychologist who treats depression and panic disorders, hears a growing number of complaints about traffic anxiety in her practice. “If you’re stuck in traffic, there’s a feeling of being out of control,”…
Versatile Storage with Cable Locks
Do you live in a part of the country where bike racks and other bike storage is rare or non existent. In these cases a U-Lock may leave you stranded with no where to lock your bike. In theses cases a cable lock may be the perfect choice for to ensure a place to lock…
Monday Morning Reading
It’s Monday morning and we’re all still wishing it was the weekend. In order to help distract you from doing your work, I’ve put together a series of commuter related links to websites and blogs that will give your fill of daily commute by bike readings. Hint: Alt + Tab (or Command + Tab on…
CBB Poll: How physical is your job?
This thread at BikeForums brings up an interesting point — what types of jobs do people commute to? Do most bike commuters have sedentary desk jobs? Does anybody commute by bike to a job that involves back breaking hard labor? Where do you fit?
Cyclomacy
What kind of bicycle diplomat (cyclomat?) are you? If you’re an Obama biker, you probably make eye contact with drivers, signal your turns, and yield the right-of-way when appropriate. If you’re a McCain biker, you have a window punch in your left hand, some Halt in the right, and greet drivers with a wry, Cheney-esque…
Canada to exchange bikes for old cars
Environment Canada and the Clean Air foundation announced a new National Vehicle Scrappage program today, offering incentives — including bicycles — to people who scrap their 1995 or older motor vehicles. “We know Canadians want to do their part to help clean up the air we breathe and our Government shares their desire,” said Minister…
Q&A: How can I persuade my company to help?
Ed – Below is a question from a reader. If you’ve got some ideas for him, please put them in the comments. If you have a question of your own, please send it to diggers@commutebybike.com. From Mark: How can I (you, me, anyone) spur companies to invest in bike lockers or other facilities? I do…
Bike commuting all around
We’ve all read about how bike commuting is on the rise in areas where bicycling is already popular such as Portland, OR; San Francisco; New York; and Boulder, CO. But what about where you live? Are rising gas prices making bike commuting more acceptable and visible? I did a quick survey of news on bike…
Drunk driver slams into a Mexican bike race, killing one
What’s your biggest fear during your daily bike commute? Yesterday an American drunk driver fell asleep at the wheel and plowed into a group of bike racers fifteen minutes after they had taken off. One was killed and several others were seriously injured. Here’s the full story at msnbc. Video coverage can be seen here….
June is Colorado Bike Month
To celebrate bicycling for transportation, fun and health, Colorado has designated each June as Bike Month. At the same time, Colorado joins a nationwide effort to encourage cycling novices and enthusiasts to experience the fun and freedom of safely riding a bike to work, school, errands and recreation While there will be many events around…
Commuting 101: How to stay fresh and clean at work
If you work in an office place where showing up to work sweaty and smelly isn’t exactly encouraged, this can be a major deterrent to commuting by bike. Especially with the summer months upon us, getting cleaned up once you’ve arrived at the work place is important and necessary. If you actually have showers and…
Commuter tax benefit
Bicycle Commuter Benefit on House Tax Extender Bill On May 21, 2008, prior to the Memorial Day recess, the House passed H.R. 6049, the “Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008.” Included in the legislation is a $20 per month transportation fringe benefit for bicycle commuters to cover costs of commuting by bike. The…
Hosting a "Bike To Work Week"
Bike To Work Week is a loosely-organized nationwide event that’s promoted by League of American Bicyclists.. May is always Bike Month, and LAB chooses a week to designate as Bike To Work Week.. The Friday of that week is set aside as Bike To Work Day. Cities in cooler climates often observe Bike To Work Week later in…
The New Look of Commute by Bike
You may have noticed that we launched a redesign of Commute by Bike today. As the site continues to grow we’re adapting to meet the needs of our readers. To do so, we’ve added some new features… Share and Support Do you ever have something you would like to share with othe. bike commuters? Here’s…
LED Bike Lights
LED lights were once considered basic blinky lights. Simple, light and forever lasting. Up until the past two years lights were considered “to be seen” or “to see” with. “To see” often meant halogen or HID lights with rechargeable batteries. They cost between $150-500 and often were finicky with various battery types. “To be seen”…
Welcome new readers from Forbes.com
If you’re visiting for the first time from the recent article at Forbes.com, welcome. This is a site dedicated to helping the bike commuter get where they’re going safely and efficiently. Here you’ll find tips, product reviews and news on all things related to commuting by bike. Below are a few links that will help…
Canadian auto club offers bike assistance
British Columbia cyclists who suffer flat tires and other mechanical woes can call the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) Road Assist program for free roadside assistance during British Columbia’s Bike to Work Week and Bike Month from May 26 to June 30. From May 26 to June 30 – “Bike To Work Week” and “Bike…
Top Ten Worst Cities for Bike Theft (plus, how to lock your bike)
Every year Kryptonite Locks releases their top ten list of the worst cities in America for bike theft. The big surprise this year is, after nine consecutive years, New York was knocked from their top spot (third actually). Also, there was a new city added… New Haven, CT. Here they all are…
Video: America's Stupidest Bike Lane
The following two videos are from SlateV.com and covers what they think are the stupidest bike lanes in America (and abroad).
Commuting 101: Using Lower Gears
Recent changes to my routes have meant more hilly terrain during my rides. During this time I’ve used gear combinations which I have never used before. I should say that I never dared use before. For some reason, over the last few decades I’ve come to think of using higher gears as the manly choice….
J&B Importers pays their employees to bike to work
J&B Importers reimburses their employees $4 for every day they take a sustainable form of transportation to and from work. Here’s the a local news story talking about their program: