Dan Eldridge wrote a great article on the bicycle culture of Philadelphia for KeystoneEdge.com. He talks about our growing community and the people and organizations who help it thrive. You can read it HERE.
Showing posts with label philadelphia bicycle coalition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philadelphia bicycle coalition. Show all posts
2.11.2010
FH in Keystone Edge
Dan Eldridge wrote a great article on the bicycle culture of Philadelphia for KeystoneEdge.com. He talks about our growing community and the people and organizations who help it thrive. You can read it HERE.
12.05.2008
Heavy South Street Bridge Traffic this Weekend
How can I be so sure? Because this is the last weekend anyone will be able to cross the South Street Bridge for two whole years! A sad thing, for anyone accustomed to traveling back and forth from South to West Philly. It has long been rumored that the bridge lacks the structural integrity of modern bridges and poses a potential danger without the proposed reconstruction. The closing then, is probably not news, but be sure to give that bridge a proper send off!
For those who know it, the South Street Bridge has long competed with Spring Garden for the most breathtaking means of crossing the Schuylkill. Many a night have I crossed it at dusk, headed into Center City for a night of shenanigans, when the view of the skyline from that bridge has caught the breath in my chest. It's an iconic vista, to be sure. For a while, a crowd of kids used to hang out on the bridge and hassle other people riding by, but even that I sort of looked forward to because it was too, familiar and very of the bridge. It makes me certain that I'm not the only one in tough-guy Philly to have a soft spot.
However pitted and bumpy, the bridge is lighter on traffic than the other four, slowed by the light at the entrance to 76 unlike Walnut and Gray's Ferry and somehow less prone to speeding drivers than the spring garden bridge at night. If you have no other memorial to the crossing planned this weekend, the bicycle coalition has slated a ride at 8:45 am Monday morning, as the bridge closes to traffic at 9:30. The project anticipates disrupting the commuting route for nearly 1,000 cyclists, and I can't imagine that most of them won't take the chance to ride across it one last time.
For those who know it, the South Street Bridge has long competed with Spring Garden for the most breathtaking means of crossing the Schuylkill. Many a night have I crossed it at dusk, headed into Center City for a night of shenanigans, when the view of the skyline from that bridge has caught the breath in my chest. It's an iconic vista, to be sure. For a while, a crowd of kids used to hang out on the bridge and hassle other people riding by, but even that I sort of looked forward to because it was too, familiar and very of the bridge. It makes me certain that I'm not the only one in tough-guy Philly to have a soft spot.
However pitted and bumpy, the bridge is lighter on traffic than the other four, slowed by the light at the entrance to 76 unlike Walnut and Gray's Ferry and somehow less prone to speeding drivers than the spring garden bridge at night. If you have no other memorial to the crossing planned this weekend, the bicycle coalition has slated a ride at 8:45 am Monday morning, as the bridge closes to traffic at 9:30. The project anticipates disrupting the commuting route for nearly 1,000 cyclists, and I can't imagine that most of them won't take the chance to ride across it one last time.
10.18.2008
Biketoberfest? Biketoberfests!
Yes, that's plural. This year will see the inaugural Biketoberfest in Philadelphia, put on by the Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition at Dock Street at 50th & Baltimore in West Philadelphia. I can't think of a more suitable location in October, with W.Philly's wealth of autumnal color and just downstairs from the wonderful bike shop at Firehouse. The brewery has crafted a special brew for the occasion and there are prizes up for raffle including a R.E.Load Bag, a bike and a service package at TrophyBikes. There's only 300 tickets available for sale so you'd be advised to purchase early (now!) to ensure you get in to see the entertainment: a lineup featuring Stinking Lizaveta, Natural Selection, the West Philly Orchestra and DJ's Danophonic & Hoagie Jawns...who you may or may not recognize as an FH model. 25 bones gets you entry, a food ticket and a commemorative pint glass; 15 gets you just entry and pintglass. (for those of you investors hurting from the recent market nosedive) Cash bar, 21+ and all proceeds benefit the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, who absolutely deserve your support! That's this SUNDAY OCTOBER 19 2-6 pm.
Now remember how I said fests? There's also a Biketoberfest here on the west coast in Fairfax, CA. If you're in the bay area, this fest--hosted by Access4Bikes and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition--in its 5th year will benefit bicycle advocacy in Marin County, the number one destination outside of the city for Bay Area cyclists. The event features a marketplace of bike builders, manufacturers, merchants, teams, clubs and land management and environmental representatives alongside a brewfest, bringing over a dozen handcrafted beers from Northern California brewers: Lagunitas Brewing, Iron Springs, Broken Drum, Anchor Brewing, Bear Republic, Moolight, Eel River, North Coast Brewing, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada.
You'll find guided group road and mountain bike rides finishing at the festival, a vintage bicycle exhibit, bike swap and even more G rated events for the kiddies. This version of Biketoberfest also advertises live music and food organically grown in Northern California. This one takes place SATURDAY OCTOBER 18 11-6 at Fair-Anselm Plaza Parking lots, 765 Center Blvd (next to Iron Springs Pub), downtown Fairfax, CA. It's free for all parts except the beer tasting, which costs $20 per person.
I think the simultaneity of these two like-minded events is no coincidence, just the beginning of a nice trend. I'd like to believe that next year there will be dozens of these in every city across the land. Because really, what better way to benefit community bike initiatives and strengthen community?
Now remember how I said fests? There's also a Biketoberfest here on the west coast in Fairfax, CA. If you're in the bay area, this fest--hosted by Access4Bikes and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition--in its 5th year will benefit bicycle advocacy in Marin County, the number one destination outside of the city for Bay Area cyclists. The event features a marketplace of bike builders, manufacturers, merchants, teams, clubs and land management and environmental representatives alongside a brewfest, bringing over a dozen handcrafted beers from Northern California brewers: Lagunitas Brewing, Iron Springs, Broken Drum, Anchor Brewing, Bear Republic, Moolight, Eel River, North Coast Brewing, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada.
You'll find guided group road and mountain bike rides finishing at the festival, a vintage bicycle exhibit, bike swap and even more G rated events for the kiddies. This version of Biketoberfest also advertises live music and food organically grown in Northern California. This one takes place SATURDAY OCTOBER 18 11-6 at Fair-Anselm Plaza Parking lots, 765 Center Blvd (next to Iron Springs Pub), downtown Fairfax, CA. It's free for all parts except the beer tasting, which costs $20 per person.
I think the simultaneity of these two like-minded events is no coincidence, just the beginning of a nice trend. I'd like to believe that next year there will be dozens of these in every city across the land. Because really, what better way to benefit community bike initiatives and strengthen community?
9.03.2008
New BCGP Website!
Looks pretty sweet guys! As I've said so many times before, the bicycle coalition in Philadelphia is forever on top of all issues surrounding cyclists in the metro region. Front and center on the new home page is a photo of a critical mass ride down the parkway to city hall, surely one of the most romantic and proud vantagepoints, saddle-wise. Side bar content includes bicycle related civic action, local news and regional events. Added to this, a full menu of buttons to help the average cyclist find maps, report a dangerous road condition or incident, find a nearby shop or volunteer with the coalition itself.
Like many of the more successful bicycle coalitions in the United States, this new website makes helpful tools accessible for all types of cyclists, whether they be commuters, messengers or recreationalists. Most importantly, an effective website provides the basis for a flourishing cycling community to follow. Philly IS an awesome bike city. But sometimes it's hard for newcomers or new riders to see it that way because of the pervasive and aggressive driving culture there. By centralizing relevant information into one website about how to get used to riding in a city, specifically Philadelphia, the coalition has made great progress toward increasing the number of bicycles on the road. I don't know if you noticed, but this summer saw a marked increase in the number of pedals spinning in Philadelphia. I know my favorite bike shop couldn't keep steeds in stock.
Like many of the more successful bicycle coalitions in the United States, this new website makes helpful tools accessible for all types of cyclists, whether they be commuters, messengers or recreationalists. Most importantly, an effective website provides the basis for a flourishing cycling community to follow. Philly IS an awesome bike city. But sometimes it's hard for newcomers or new riders to see it that way because of the pervasive and aggressive driving culture there. By centralizing relevant information into one website about how to get used to riding in a city, specifically Philadelphia, the coalition has made great progress toward increasing the number of bicycles on the road. I don't know if you noticed, but this summer saw a marked increase in the number of pedals spinning in Philadelphia. I know my favorite bike shop couldn't keep steeds in stock.
7.26.2008
Nice Rack
And I'm not talking ta-ta's, silly! Bike Racks seem to sprout in new places every day around here, however slowly and long in the coming they may be about it. I noticed recently on the Philly Bike Coalition blog a permanent link with FAQs on how to get a bike rack in place for anywhere in Philadelphia. So say you're a business with a bike loving clientele and say you can't claim ample bike parking in front of said business and say you're not sure how to make it easier for people to patronize your establishment? Well, now they've told you.
The BCGP blog is really a great resource for all sorts of things, they are always up to date with the latest bicycle related media hubbub, accident reports, local cyclist know-how and what-have-you. Just now I read a brand new post about a call for metalworkers to design a functional bike rack for the Philadelphia Center for Architecture at 12th and Arch. Strap on those thinking caps welders!
Airago, Combination Bike Pump & Rack
Swiss Designed Bike Rack
Functional in Philadelphia
The BCGP blog is really a great resource for all sorts of things, they are always up to date with the latest bicycle related media hubbub, accident reports, local cyclist know-how and what-have-you. Just now I read a brand new post about a call for metalworkers to design a functional bike rack for the Philadelphia Center for Architecture at 12th and Arch. Strap on those thinking caps welders!
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