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OUR EXERCISE IN FUTILITY
Chris Bruntlett in Hush takes on the compulsory-helmet requirement and the impact on bike-share in Vancouver. He has three recommendations – but this one jumped out:
For a simple fix to this manufactured dilemma, Vancouver could follow the lead of three other jurisdictions. Mexico City, for example, had an adult helmet law, which was fully repealed before the launch of their EcoBici system in 2010.
It has been an irrefutable triumph, now boasting 4,000 bikes, 275 stations, 73,000 annual subscribers and a stellar safety record, despite the city’s notorious motor traffic. Only three EcoBici riders experienced collisions in the first 1.6 million trips, and none were seriously injured.
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LATEST ISSUE
WeCycle from the B.C. Cycling Coalition is out – here.
- Separated Bike Lanes on Cornwall
- Improving the Stanley Park Causeway
- How to Bike With Your Family
- Comox Valley Farm Tours
- West Dyke Trail in Richmond
- The Penticton Challenge
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OVERHEARD
A friend complimented a jazz singer’s pretty scarf.
“Thanks,” she said with a smile. “It matches my bicycle.”
– Dianna Waggoner
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CYCLING IN SEATTLE: GOOD FOR BUSINESS
From Puget Sound Business Journal:
If there really is a War on Cars, more and more employers and commercial developers are siding with the bicyclists.
Amazon.com is building cycle tracks at its three-block office complex under construction in downtown Seattle. … Another developer, Harbor Urban, is building an entire apartment building for bicyclists. … Even Kemper Development, which touts the 10,000 free vehicle parking spaces at its Bellevue Collection, is building a bike commuter “lounge” in the 4-million-square-foot retail, office, residential and hotel complex. …
And there’s evidence that other businesses also would be wise to cater to thirsty, hungry cyclists. A study by Portland State University’s Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science found that cyclists visited bars more often than drivers and spent more overall; over the course of a month, cyclists stopped in almost five times and plunked down a total of $69. That compared to the 1.6 visits for motorists, whose tabs totaled just $40. …
Having facilities for cyclists “is becoming an important part of getting the kind of tenants that work in downtown Seattle …”
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#CYCLECHICFILMS
Fourth of four mini-films by Vancouver Cycle Chic: Camille of Railtown.
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“It has been an irrefutable triumph, now boasting 4,000 bikes, 275 stations, 73,000 annual subscribers” Huh! irrefutable triumph . . . 73,000 annual subscribers” out of 28,000,000+!
No wonder I didn’t notice!
the service area for the bike share covers a much smaller area than the entire Metro region.
There’s lots happening in the local cycling community. Chicago’s getting bike share, and with the stanley cup, that’s two things Vancouver can envy.
The problem with vancouver’s bike share is that unlike London or NY, no private sponsor will step up, specifically because of the likely failure of bike share due to the helmet law.
Here’s a great article on who actually pays for the roads: http://www.kitsilano.ca/2013/06/24/no-free-rides-for-cyclists/
And Most importantly, a Petition to support the improving the Link in Point Grey & Cornwall: http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/city-of-vancouver-mayor-and-council-make-point-grey-cornwall-safer-for-people-of-all-ages-and-abilities
I think that the lack of a sponsor in Vancouver has to do with the amount of negative association with biking in Vancouver right now. Unfortunately some of council’s decisions no matter how well intended have created a very divided population towards cycling. There are very limited companies large enough that could afford to get on board that would want to enter such a contentious issue. I hope once things calm down we might see a company willing to step up to the plate.
I don’t think that “negative association” is any worse in Vancouver than in NYC. A company like VanCity could step up as a major sponsor. However, I agree with Kyle’s sentiment about the helmet law.