Great news for transportation!

[nathanm]

It seems that the House Republicans have decided we don't need alternative transportation and would like to blow all the transportation money on more roads.

http://www.bikeworldnews.com/2011/07/08/bicycle-pedestrian-funding-danger/

[guido911]

It seems that the House Republicans have decided we don't need alternative transportation and would like to blow all the transportation money on more roads.

http://www.bikeworldnews.com/2011/07/08/bicycle-pedestrian-funding-danger/

Hope Conan doesn't hear about this.

[Ed W]

The League of American Bicyclists has been breathlessly trumpeting that story for a couple of days. Set asides for bicycle transportation are "seriously threatened" etc. LAB beats that drum relentlessly, and at the same time, tries to use it to add members. It's the same politics of fear that the NRA uses so well.

But what happens if all the federal monies go away? Will that have an effect on those who use bikes for transportation, or is the possible loss of funds more likely to impact recreational cyclists?  I think the transportation cyclists will still ride to work and back pretty much as they always have. They're the least traffic averse of any cyclists. The real impact will be felt by recreational riders who will see fewer trails, fewer bike lanes, and reduced influence with the bicycle planners.

[guido911]

I ride my bike to keep in shape. I am not impacted either with or without this funding since I ride in neighborhoods.

[AquaMan]

The League of American Bicyclists has been breathlessly trumpeting that story for a couple of days. Set asides for bicycle transportation are "seriously threatened" etc. LAB beats that drum relentlessly, and at the same time, tries to use it to add members. It's the same politics of fear that the NRA uses so well.

But what happens if all the federal monies go away? Will that have an effect on those who use bikes for transportation, or is the possible loss of funds more likely to impact recreational cyclists?  I think the transportation cyclists will still ride to work and back pretty much as they always have. They're the least traffic averse of any cyclists. The real impact will be felt by recreational riders who will see fewer trails, fewer bike lanes, and reduced influence with the bicycle planners.

You're the most normal, reasonable person on this forum. And your conclusion here, as usual, is correct. The politics of fear has become a common tool in the box. I read the stories in magazines about blowing up dams on rivers with the same skepticism.

BTW, finally got my old 70's model Schwinn LeTour operating. This "free" bike cost me around $150 to resurrect and its purpose is to take me back and forth to work. But it rides well and I enjoy the puff of wind as the colorful cafe racers zip around me on the paths. From what I can tell, the energy to travel 12 miles of path riding is not quite equivalent to 5 miles of jogging the same paths.

[Ed W]

Normal?  You need to speak with She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed about this.  Her opinion would be considerably different!

I came across a calorie calculator once, and used it to do the math for my commute. It asked for my weight, distance, average speed, and terrain, if I remember right. My 17 mile round trip burned no more than 250 calories.  So riding a bike by itself isn't a good strategy for weight loss unless it's coupled with a better diet.  Still, regular exercise is good for us, and despite the minimal risks associated with riding a bike on the road, the exercise is a net gain.

I'm badly out of shape, though. Yesterday morning I banged some patio stones into the ground out front. "We" (which is SWMBO-speak) are adding a walkway next to the driveway along with a planter under the oak tree where grass refuses to grow. I worked for about two hours, spending a quarter of the time panting on the porch. I'm simply not acclimated to the heat this year.

[AquaMan]

The feeling I have after riding a bike for an hour is my legs are like sticks of wood and I'm thirsty but hardly tired or out of breath. When I run 5 miles, I'm spent all over and feel like a boxer after 12 rounds. It also seems to release more endorphins than biking so I'll alternate the two activities to stay in shape.

I tried scraping the garage yesterday to prepare it for a new coat of primer and paint. Lots of breaks and a revised estimate of time to finish. Brutal weather. Keep sprinklers or water dishes out for the varmints.

[nathanm]

If it were just bike trails losing funding, I wouldn't be bothered about the whole thing, but they also want further cutbacks in funding for transit and Amtrak and the Safe Routes to Schools program, which makes schools accessible by sidewalk in areas where they otherwise would not be.

And in some cases, the trails really are better than the roads, in that they go where you want more directly. The trail along the Creek is a good example of this. One can either ride a half mile out of the way to hit 101st or 91st or just take the trail. Personally, I don't mind riding on the arterials, but a lot of people do. And I don't blame them, it's not rare for f**kwits to yell obscenities in my direction when I'm riding on the road, especially out south.

[RecycleMichael]

You're the most normal, reasonable person on this forum.

No one ever says that about me.

[Ed W]

No one ever says that about me.

I will, Michael!  You're the most nearly normal person...uh...wait...OK, you're mostly normal...um....well, maybe not more than half...but that's almost a majority of the time...sorta.

[Red Arrow]

No one ever says that about me.

Maybe you're that Abbie Normal guy like in Mel Brooks' Frankenstein movie.

[guido911]

I will, Michael!  You're the most nearly normal person...uh...wait...OK, you're mostly normal...um....well, maybe not more than half...but that's almost a majority of the time...sorta.

That right there is the greatest definition of a person's character I have ever read. You must be rewarded. Personally, I'd go with Artist, then RA. No slap RM.

[AquaMan]

I'm just sucking up. The guy's going to be the next president of the United States, ya know.. I 'm hoping for interior secretary.

[carltonplace]

The feeling I have after riding a bike for an hour is my legs are like sticks of wood and I'm thirsty but hardly tired or out of breath. When I run 5 miles, I'm spent all over and feel like a boxer after 12 rounds. It also seems to release more endorphins than biking so I'll alternate the two activities to stay in shape.

I tried scraping the garage yesterday to prepare it for a new coat of primer and paint. Lots of breaks and a revised estimate of time to finish. Brutal weather. Keep sprinklers or water dishes out for the varmints.

I agree with your assesment on running vs biking. Running is mos def more rigorous and I think that being a good runner makes for a biker with increased stamina. It is easier to climb on foot then on a bike and the wind is less of a factor to a runner.

[Ed W]

I'm just sucking up. The guy's going to be the next president of the United States, ya know.. I 'm hoping for interior secretary.

I'm thinking about elevating bartending to a cabinet level position. Interested?  It beats the Interior department.