May 292011
 

The South Bend Parks and Recreation Department is partnering up with Paul Taylor of the Bike Michiana Coalition to offer a safe bicycling course this June.

Traffic Skills 101” is created and endorsed by the League of American Bicyclists. It is a nine-hour course (three evening classes of three hours each) and covers bicycle safety checks, fixing flats, on-bike skills, rules of the road for cyclists and crash avoidance techniques.

This will be a pilot program run as a zero-profit service. The cost to the participant will only cover the expenses of the manual, required testing materials and park resources.

If all goes well and there is interest for continuing instruction, we will consider soliciting grants or sponsorships to help defray this cost and possibly look at more locations and times throughout the year.

More information, including cost, specific dates and times and location can be found at the parks’ website (http://sbpark.org); on-line registration will be available.

Special thanks to Matthew Moyers, the Special Project Coordinator for South Bend Parks and Recreation for his efforts in arranging the course and for preparing this announcement.

Jan 022011
 

This is the time of year to reflect on accomplishments for the year just ended. Here is a short summary of Michiana good things cycling.

Bike to Work Week saw miles ridden in The Corporate Challenge increase to 26,154 from 16,179 (an increase of 74%). Also the number of teams increased to 119 from 111 (an increase of 7%) and South Bend closed off a street so the Bike Michiana Coalition could host an organic blueberry pancake breakfast.

Bike Michiana for Hospice saw the number of riders increase to 475 from 273 (an increase of 102%). Increases are expected again in 2011 since several new features will be added, including a 200 mile route. Continue reading »

Mar 142009
 

I wonder what stories you might hear if you asked your elders about their memories of bicycles and bicycling.

As I was talking with my mother yesterday, we explored some of her memories of pre-WW II Tokyo. She came from a well-to-do Japanese family and offered some interesting perspectives on cars, bicycles, and pedestrian traffic. She remembered how the streets of Tokyo were narrow and often choked with pedestrians, bicycles and, sometimes, cars. Continue reading »

Dec 062008
 

From Instructables.com:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paint_your_bike_bicycle_gear_reflective/

An interesting read on the “topical application of retro reflective microspheres (glass beads).  The concept is that you are essentially making your chosen item reflective via the same manner that your local Transportation Department makes painted stripes on the roadway reflective.”   Photos and instructions and links to other high-visibility reflective materials/tips included.