TAOBIKE

Tulsa Tough News!

2009-03-06T18:06:00.001-06:00

This arrived today! Announcing New Support Programs for 2009! Tulsa Tough has introduced three new support programs for 2009. We're sponsoring tour riders, other tour ride events,

Bicycle Commuter Benefit Signed Into Law

2008-10-03T22:54:00.000-05:00

Now, remember, you read it here...um...second.Fritz has the whole bill on Cyclelicious.

Notes of organizing meeting on 11SEP2008

2008-09-18T20:45:00.002-05:00

TAOBIKE_GC ORGANIZING MEETING 11SEP2008 7PM MARTIN EAST REGIONAL LIBRARY TULSA OKLAHOMA THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 9th AT THE HUB (216 N ELGIN) AT 7PM. Attending: Ed Wagner Doug Waldman Chris Wollard Steve Monroe Julie Vega Paul Tay George Hall Mike Schooling Tom Brown Richard Hall Vickie Sanborn Brian Potter Ren Barger Rhonda James Robyn Stroup Chris Regan Andy Wheeler Some

Proposed Agenda for Thursday's Meeting

2008-09-09T19:42:00.002-05:00

Agenda Items A brief history of TAOBIKE Malcolm McCollum and the first BAG The ad-hoc committee of volunteers/ on-street planning/the usual suspects Aaron Bell and the bicycling subcommittee Patrick Fox and the informal bicycling subcommittee Initial Road1 class due to Brian's efforts Initial LCI class. It's not a certification that we know everything about cycling. It's a

Organizing meeting

2008-09-03T19:30:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAOBIKE ORGANIZING MEETING FOR PROPOSED GREEN COUNTRY BICYCLING ADVISORY GROUP TULSA, OKLAHOMA 1SEP2008 The Green Country Bicycling Advisory Group (working title) will have an organizing meeting on Thursday, September 11th at the Martin East Regional Library at 7PM. TAOBIKE has long supported local bicycling advocacy, education, and planning in the Tulsa region

TAOBIKE planning meeting

2008-08-25T18:04:00.005-05:00

Note: The date give for the proposed BAG meeting is listed as 12SEP2008. That is the Friday before the MS150 weekend. I'm trying to find a meeting room on the 11th, because I suspect there will be fewer scheduling conflicts. Also, as Tim Armer from INCOG was able to attend, we covered much more than the original 3 item agenda. It was a productive meeting.....EdTAOBIKE planning meeting

Highway Statistics

2008-08-15T21:18:00.001-05:00

The NHTSA announced a significant reduction in highway fatalities. In 2007, there were 41,o59 motorists killed on our roads, a decline of 3.9% from the previous year. Injuries also declined by 3.3% to 2,491.000. (Report pdf)Motorcycle fatalities continued their 10 year increase, with an increase of 6.6% in fatalities and 17% in injuries.Cyclists (or pedalcyclists as NHTSA calls us) saw a

A Road1 mini-lesson

2008-08-14T18:14:00.000-05:00

Matt, one of my co-workers, has decided to take up bicycle commuting. For the first week, he rode his old mountain bike, but quickly discovered that knobby tires and low gearing aren't a 'go fast' combination. He bought a new Specialized road bike.And I'm answering lots of questions. It's like teaching Road1 5 minutes at a time.Yesterday he wanted me to look at his tires. He had questions about

Task force meeting re: Transportation Advisory Board

2008-08-09T19:02:00.001-05:00

Task Force Meeting re Transportation Advisory Board 7AUG2008 Tulsa City Hall What lead to this meeting was an email from Paul Tay, stating that the new transportation committee had no cycling representative. I sent an email to all the city councilors saying that with gas prices increasing, and all the usual boilerplate, it would be a good idea to have a cyclist on the board. One of the

Common motorist rants...

2008-07-27T09:13:00.000-05:00

I read this yesterday on Austin Cycling News and it links to the original post on Bike Forums. ChezJfrey covered each point, refuting them one by one. His Bike Forum post is quite long, so I didn't include it here. Believe me, it's worth reading and well worth keeping for those inevitable letters to the editor that crop up in the spring and summer.I sent the link to our local advocacy list and

Six Myths about Bicycle Commuting

2008-07-21T19:55:00.002-05:00

Please bear with me for a moment... I've been reading a lot about writing. It's a self-help effort. Much has been contradictory. For instance, one site said if you want to write better, concentrate

Velib problems

2008-07-20T09:29:00.001-05:00

This is the first major problem I've heard of with the Velib system in Paris. I'm not aware of any similar problems with Tulsa's first-in-the-nation Tulsa Townies, or the new Rack & Roll system. Still, I have to wonder about the long-term viability of a plan that's lost over 25% of their bicycles. They want to expand the system into the suburbs, but if losses are this high, how can they afford

Trail Etiquette: a primer

2008-07-16T17:53:00.007-05:00

(Image copyright Spencer Hill. Used by permission.) I was running along the trail and this cyclist came by really fast and close without any warning. This is probably the most common complaint – fast riders in 'stealth' mode. Cyclists should use a bell or loudly announce “Passing on your left!” as they

Interesting reading

2008-07-15T18:01:00.001-05:00

The Myth of the Scofflaw Cyclist(Excerpt)Whenever you read an article about cycling in the city, or a discussion of transportation involving cycling it is highly likely that you'll read a comment like this:"I will 'share the road' when cyclists start 'obeying the traffic laws.'"and this "I always see bikers disobeying traffic signals. They always run red lights going across R Street and

Independence Day

2008-07-04T10:43:00.001-05:00

Every July 4th we celebrate our independence from colonial rule. An estimated 25,000 American troops died in the Revolutionary War, more than half of them from disease. Then as now, the country was bitterly divided into factions. Make no mistake, we will be eternally grateful that the Revolutionaries won both militarily and politically. Every war is fought on those two fronts. We are

Patrick Fox leaving INCOG

2008-07-03T12:39:00.001-05:00

(CycleDog Image)Patrick Fox, Multi-Modal Transportation Coordinator at INCOG, is leaving the agency for another job. Among other things, Patrick is the head of the bicycling advisory group, a committee of local cyclists designed to provide expertise and leadership in bicycling transportation planning. The photo above was taken at a Road1 course he attended last year.Patrick doesn't just "talk

Aren't you happy to get here safely?

2008-06-26T20:06:00.001-05:00

I'm on the road at the same time and on the same route every morning. I see the same motorists day after day. I know when the Crotch Rocket Kids are coming because their motorcycles have a distinctive high-pitched whine. These two guys ride to work together every day. They're normally in echelon and I think that's probably a good idea on a relatively narrow road. There's Dinky Boy in an

Tulsa's Community Cycling Project

2008-06-26T16:20:00.002-05:00

(Image from Urban Tulsa Weekly)Urban Tulsa Weekly has a very complimentary article on the Community Cycling Project. Major kudos to both Sandra Crisp and Ren Barger. Here's a excerpt:Two Wheels to Stand On How a "bike kitchen" is helping the city's homeless get back on their feetBY BRIAN ERVINMost of us have cars and, though they might not all be as sexy, sporty or as nice as the Joneses, they

Tulsa Tough

2008-06-01T19:20:00.001-05:00

(CycleDog Photos)It's been an interesting weekend. Saturday, I was to work providing mechanical support for the Tulsa Tough on the century route. Jordan and I were to be in Ochelata. First, I forgot my box of parts and supplies. Oh, I had the tools, pump, and work stand, but no spare tubes, cables, etc. A quick call to Mike Schooling remedied that, though Mike did call me a dimwit but in a

Tulsa Tough: Law Enforcement

2008-05-25T09:57:00.000-05:00

I've been told that due to the large number of complaints from area residents during the 2007 Tulsa Tough tours, there will be greater law enforcement presence on area roads this year. In other words, if you run red lights and stop signs, expect to be ticketed.Most of the tour riders have nothing to worry about, of course, but the sub-five hour pack riders will have to exercise caution.

Tulsa Tough Kid's Challenge

2008-05-20T19:59:00.000-05:00

Skills and Drills Clinic Sunday, 19MAY2008 This was the final skills and drills clinic for the Tulsa Tough Kids Challenge. The instructors were: Brian Potter, Ren Barger, Richard Hall, and myself. We had numerous volunteers assisting with registration, helmet and bike fitting, and even police officers from the Tulsa Police Department and the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office. Jordan went along

Gotta love this!

2008-05-15T20:07:00.003-05:00

(From Sydney Body Art Ride)I've ridden to work every day this week and tomorrow is our local Bike To Work event. But I won't be there because I'll be working!One of the true joys of regular commuting is that I get to see the same cars and drivers every day. They come to expect a cyclist somewhere on the road, just another guy making the daily grind.

From the American Bicyclist

2008-05-13T21:21:00.004-05:00

From the American Bicyclist Update dated 12MAY2008, an email newsletter from theLeague of American Bicyclists, followed by a response from Gary Parker, Tulsa bicyclingadvocate and League Cycling Instructor:Matsui Introduces House Complete Streets Bill Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) took an important step last Thursday,May 1, for safer, better designed streets by introducing the Safe

Tulsa Tough Kids Challenge

2008-05-11T08:59:00.003-05:00

This is from Gary Parker, one of the local LCIs and an ardent bicycling advocate. Gary taught at yesterday's Tough Kids event. He's a retired teacher, and in all honesty, he's probably forgotten more about teaching than I've ever learned. Both Gary and Ren Barger have that special touch that allows them to connect with kids. I always watch carefully when they're speaking to a group, hoping

Nitrogen?

2008-05-08T17:52:00.003-05:00

Local television news has a story about filling car tires with 100% nitrogen. Allegedly, nitrogen doesn't leak down as quickly so tires stay at a higher pressure for a longer period of time. This increases gas mileage. There's also a claim that nitrogen extends the life of the tire, but I suspect that if they're properly inflated – regardless of the gases inside them – they'll last longer

We need a new tool...

2008-05-07T19:25:00.003-05:00

(Image from Richard Drdul)We know that 'fear from the rear' is irrational and it drives much of the facilities advocacy. But today I'm not addressing the institutional problems of dealing with traffic engineers, bureaucrats, and planners. Instead, I'm looking at the reduction of irrational fear on an individual basis.Most of us with long experience seldom fear riding in traffic, and when we

Riding Two Abreast

2008-04-30T20:59:00.002-05:00

(Image from the Pennsylvania Bicycle Drivers Manual, an excellent resource.)A discussion of state and local laws that pertain to bicycling is a standard part of any Road1 course. As part of the bicycling education effort here on TAObike, this may become a regular feature. Brian Potter and I were specifically asked about the 'riding abreast' portion of Oklahoma's bicycling law, and we solicited

Tulsa Tough Kids Challenge: the bike build

2008-04-24T16:49:00.003-05:00

This is only a small portion of the bikes we assembled. All three hundred were assembled in a little under four hours. I was one tired puppy when we finished!Local cycling personality and perpetual office-seeker Paul Tay, with Chuck Davis, owner of Oklahoma Velo Sports, and Gary Parker.Nice bike, eh?(CycleDog photo. See Flickr for the full set.) Ren asked for thoughts about yesterday's bike

Tulsa Tough Kids...

2008-04-23T16:08:00.000-05:00

Kids1 Presentations Monday and Tuesday evenings, the Tulsa LCI group did Kids1 presentations at Webster High School and Carver Middle School in Tulsa. Actually, we're offering an amalgam of Kids1 and Kids2 in the League of American Bicyclists curriculum because the kids who attend these events will receive new bicycles through the Tulsa Tough program. We want them to be prepared to ride safely

Tulsa Tough Kids Events

2008-04-19T11:18:00.004-05:00

..The first of the Tulsa Tough Kids Challenge events will kick off on Monday, April 21st.Tulsa Tough Children’s Hospital Tough Kid’s ChallengeThe Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis has once again provided the opportunity for kids to win a free bike, helmet and t-shirt through Tulsa Tough. This year 3rd, 4th and 5th grade-aged children are eligible for the program. To receive the bike children

A near miss...

2008-04-16T15:44:00.001-05:00

The lunatic is in my head You raise the blade You make the change You rearrange me 'till I'm sane....Pink Floyd “The Dark Side of the Moon” 1996 The first thing I remember is lying on the gurney. A nurse said I could go home. She ordered a wheelchair to take me out to the car, but when I stood up, the room went white. Voices seemed to come from farther and farther away. The next thing I

360 Sports: a new bike shop in Owasso

2008-04-12T17:13:00.003-05:00

A new bike shop opened in Owasso today. John Ray, owner of 360 Sports, will be interviewed for CycleDog and TAOBIKE in the near future. He has a variety of bicycle types including, road, hybrid, triathlon or TT bikes, mountain, and comfort models. I got my first close up look at an Electra Amsterdam, a very nice commuting bike.Some floor space was devoted to cycling clothing and there's even (

Who Needs BikeEd?

2008-04-11T21:08:00.001-05:00

Oklahoma needs informed citizens--and especially, informed bicycling advocates. Most people involved in cycling do not have even a passing understand of the bicycling laws in their state and local communities. Many people still cling to dangerous misconceptions about cycling that reduce their enjoyment and their safety while riding. People who need bicycling education: Cyclists:

Tulsa Tough Kid's Challenge Registration

2008-04-06T10:09:00.002-05:00

Registration for the Tulsa Tough Kid's Challenge opens tomorrow, April 7th. Children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade can receive a free bicycle, helmet, T-shirt, and instruction by completing the Tulsa Tough events. Please note that registration is on a first come, first served basis, and that children registered after the initial 300 will be added to a waiting list.(From the website)http://

Braze and Bracket at the Tulsa Bicycle Club

2008-04-06T09:40:00.004-05:00

The Tulsa Bicycle Club graciously hosted Brian and me as “Braze and Bracket” with Mike Schooling as the ringmaster of our improvised circus. We talked about a program called “Go by Bike” designed to encourage people to use their bicycles for utility and commuting, rather than just recreation. This was all loosely based on the ideas in the Clif Bar 2 Mile Challenge. In all seriousness (

Tulsa Tough Bikes and Kids

2008-04-02T21:49:00.002-05:00

(Forwarded from Adam with his permission to use contact information)The Crime Commission and Tulsa Tough has secured a location at the Space Center at 38th/Memorial. The facility is a large 10,000 + square foot warehouse with plenty of room, electricity, and restrooms. It will provide enough room for bicycle storage, an assembly party, and skills and drills class. The warehouse location is a

Reporter and Photographer have trouble keeping up...

2008-04-02T18:43:00.001-05:00

Nice shots of River Park trail and the pedestrian bridge.http://youtube.com/watch?v=mIHnw9dVoZU> Tulsa World reporter Matt Gleason and photographer James Plumlee try > to keep up with the Eugene Field Elementary Bicycle Club. Watch as the > pair struggle to pedal bikes designed for third grade girls.

Take the lane (Revised)

2008-03-31T19:36:00.003-05:00

By Brian P and Ed W...One of the primary concepts in BikeEd is lane-positioning. A cyclist should always maintain a safe distance from the gutter pan or parked cars, a minimum of 3 to 4 feet. And motorists in Oklahoma are required to provide at least 3' passing distance when overtaking a cyclist. A little math tells us that if we add 3 feet from the gutter pan, 2 feet for the cyclist, and 3

INCOG BAG meeting

2008-03-28T19:20:00.000-05:00

INCOG BAG Meeting (This will be posted to NewOBC, CycleDog, TAOBIKE blog, and the Tulsa Now forum later today.) 25MAR2008 5:30P Josh, Lisa, Tom, Patrick, Brian, Gary, Me...Monica arrived later The original bicycling subcommittee had an organizational document describing their purpose. Do we have a similar document describing our goals and mission statement? We are attempting to locate the

In It for the Money! (Part 1)

2008-03-19T22:15:00.009-05:00

Wheels. Pedals. Sweat.Wind and rain. Wind and sun. More sweat.Did I mention the wind?Which came first, the challenge or the love? Doesn't matter. Can't separate the two.I sold my first ten-speed, a Huffy, for $15 when I was twelve. Dad said I should ask for $15 or $20, so that's exactly what I put on the sign: "Bike for Sale. $15 or $20." He saw the sign as he turned into the driveway

Tulsa Tough: a paradigm shift

2008-03-17T12:40:00.001-05:00

Let me say at the outset, I have a very small role in this. The meeting I'm about to describe is just one small part of a larger effort to bring the Tulsa Tough to area cyclists. My part in that is to assist with the BikeEd program that provides bicycles and education to local kids. I'll very likely help to assemble those bicycles and I'll be out on the road somewhere providing mechanical help

Tuesday Musette, 11MAR2008

2008-03-11T18:06:00.002-05:00

The last couple of days have been very busy. I'm excited to share this information will all of you because these 'happy accidents', when all the good stuff seems to converge at once, happen very rarely. Patrick Fox/info re Google Maps Patrick Fox, Multimodal Transportation Planner at INCOG, caught this one I'd missed. It's from the National Bike Summit that concluded last week. Patrick

From Quick Release TV...

2008-03-01T16:37:00.001-06:00

(Image from IrishBlogs.ie) Quick Release TV has an interesting piece on bicycling advocacy, including some video clips. The thought-provoking part, however, was this:(LINK)But not everybody agrees that funding advocacy is a panacea....Jay Townley told a room full of Britain’s best bike shops that the UK closely mirrored the bike business in the US. This wasn’t a good thing as he revealed that

Watch this space...

2008-02-25T19:39:00.000-06:00

The Tulsa bicycling advocacy group.

Privacy Policy

2008-02-24T18:42:00.000-06:00

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