Subject:     Bicycle Newsletter 12-5-99
Date:        12/05  2:54 PM
Received:    12/05  2:55 PM
From:        Michael Bluejay, bluejay@mail.com
To:          austin-bike-news@topica.com


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    \__/    ==       
      /_____/       BIKING IN AUSTIN NEWSLETTER
  ___/ \  _/ \___   covering bikes as alternative transportation
 /  /\  \/___/\  \ 
 \___/   &   \___/  bluejay@mail.com  *  michaelbluejay.com/bicycle

  Michael Bluejay, editor                              Dec. 5, 1999
######################################################################

[See very end for publication & subscription info.
  To unsubscribe, send a blank email to:
   austin-bike-news-unsubscribe@topica.com.]

[Please visit our website, the most comprehensive resource for cycling 
 as alt. transportation in Austin: http://michaelbluejay.com/bicycle ]



######################################################################
#### C O N T E N T S :
####
####   FROM THE EDITOR:  Update about this newsletter
####   
####
####   RIDE:  Two Millennium Rides: Critical Mass & The Midnight Ride
####   
####   LEGAL:  Statewide helmet law for kids fails
####
####   TOOLBOX:  Bike Theft article in Austin Chronicle
####   
####   ADVOCACY:  National Bike Greenway ride to D.C. in 2000
####   
####   DISCUSSION:  Should cyclists be registered?
####   
####   CLASSIFIEDS:  Used bikes for sale
####
####
####   Publication / Subscription info
####
######################################################################


======================================================================
 FROM THE EDITOR:  Update about this newsletter
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry there's been no newsletter for a while, but I'm going to make a 
concerted effort to get at least two newsletters out per month, 
hopefully one per week.

One thing that's slowed me down is handling all the 
subscription/unsubscription requests -- there are over 400 people 
getting this newsletter and I've been trying to handle it manually 
until now.  I've just moved the subscriber list over to Topica, so 
now new subscribers can sign up themselves without any help from me, 
and people who no longer want to get the newsletter can unsubscribe 
by themselves.

Another thing that was a problem was turning these newsletters into 
HTML to put them on the website, since my old Internet company didn't 
offer an easy way for surfers to view the plain text.  Well, a recent 
switch to a new Internet company solved that problem.  I've 
reorganized the NEWS section of the website, and now all the back 
issues are easily available on the site.  And now I can archive new 
issues as they come out much easier.  (By the way, does anybody know 
of a free search engine I could add to the site to make it possible 
to search through the old newsletters?)

Hopefully things only get better from here...


======================================================================
 RIDE:  Two Millennium Rides:  Critical Mass and The Midnight Ride
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Critical Mass is always on the last Friday of the month, and wouldn't 
you know it, but the last Friday of December also happens to be THE 
LAST DAY OF THE MILLENNIUM.  What better way to draw attention to the 
coming Carmageddon by riding your bicycle around like a crazed freak 
on December 31, 1999?  The ride leaves from the UT West Mall (off 
Guadalupe, between Guadalupe and the tower), at * 5:00pm SHARP *.  
Remember, it's getting dark earlier now, so bring lights if you have 
them.

But of course, if you REALLY want to celebrate the new millennium as a 
cyclist, then you want to be at the Dec. 31st Midnight Ride.  A few 
months ago, local cycling wonder boy Ezra Teter started a weekly ride 
leaving from Ozone Cycles every Friday at midnight, but since we want 
to actually be BIKING at midnight and not standing around waiting to 
leave, the Dec. 31st ride will meet at 11:30pm at Ozone (32nd & 
Guadalupe).  Whoo-hoo!


======================================================================
 LEGAL:  Statewide helmet law for kids fails
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A bill proposed earlier this year would have made it a criminal act 
for those under 18 to ride a bicycle without a helmet.  The bill 
sailed through two committees with little opposition, and looked as 
though it would become law, but the measure died at the last minute 
when a second Senate committee declined to pass it.

The idea of a statewide helmet law seems to come up almost every 
session, and this time it seemed really close to passing.  While 
Biking in Austin recommends the voluntary use of helmets, we oppose 
LAWS mandating their use for several reasons.  For some of those 
reasons, or for more information about the failed helmet law bill, go 
to:

   Biking in Austin website -> Legal Issues -> Helmet Laws


======================================================================
 TOOLBOX:  Bike Theft article in Austin Chronicle
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Austin Chronicle has done quite a bit of coverage of local 
bicycle issues of the last few years, and continued that trend with a 
feature article by Rob D'Amico about bicycle theft a couple of weeks 
ago.  You can read the article online at:

  http://www.auschron.com/issues/dispatch/1999-11-26/pols_feature.html

One thing I told the reporter, but which didn't make the final cut 
for the article, is that you can get $9 U-locks at nashbar.com.  
(Plus $4.75 shipping, but you can order multiple locks with friends 
and save on shipping costs.)  Sure, these aren't the best U-locks in 
the world and won't stop determined thieves, but if you're on a 
budget and can't afford a top-of-the-line U-lock, then even a cheap 
U-lock beats a chain any day.  You can order a lock at:

  
  http://www.nashbar.com/


A couple of corrections to the Chronicle article:

  * The article says that I saw the security videotape showing a 
transient busting a U-lock by prying it open with a 2x4.  In fact, 
one of the employees at Junior's on 29th St. told me that he had seen 
the tape (made by Junior's security camera).

  * The article refers to Critical Mass as defunct, but Critical Mass 
has been held continuously here since its local inception in October 
1993.


======================================================================
 ADVOCACY:  Ride to D.C. to support National Bicycle Greenway in 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of cyclists are expected to bike from all of the country to 
Washington, D.C. to support the development of a National Bicycle 
Greenway.  The ride ("NBG 2000") is being planned by Cycle America 
and Alliance for a Paving Moratorium.  The Greenway would be a 
cross-country system allowing cyclists to safely ride all around the 
U.S., for both recreation and transportation.  The ride culminates 
with Greenfest 2000, a rally and party in D.C. on August 20th.  The 
ride is free, car-free, and self-supported (you provide everything 
you need), although organizers are working to find supporters willing 
to offer lodging for riders along the way.  

According to the organizers' website, one rider from Austin and two 
from Houston have already signed up, and 500 riders nationwide had 
signed up as of February.  Departure dates vary by city, and are 
scheduled to provide for 50-60 miles/day of travel.  The Houston 
contingent is scheduled to leave on July 15.  It is expected that 
there will be more riders from Austin and that they will choose a 
mid-July departure date.

For more information:

   http://www.fyi.net/~jstrait/s2kmap/planning.shtml

   http://www.bikeroute.com/nbghow.html


======================================================================
 DISCUSSION:  Should cyclists be registered?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Below are excerpts from the local cycling email discussion list on 
the topic on whether cyclists should be licensed like drivers.  To 
join the discussion list (even you just want to read the posts and 
not participate), send a blank email to:
  austin-bikes-subscribe@topica.com.

--------------------
Kenneth Marsh, 12-99

I know this question will raise many a biker's hackles, but please 
answer it seriously: wouldn't training, testing, licensing, and 
registering road cyclists go a long way towards legitimizing us on 
the road in the eyes of the antagonistic auto drivers?

------------------
Mike Dahmus, 12-99

My opinion on this is that it's a diversionary tactic. The only 
necessary answer to those who think we're getting a free ride on the 
roadway is that we pay property taxes and sales taxes, and all City 
of Austin roadways are built using those funds. Most transportation 
cycling does not occur on facilities paid for out of gas taxes. The 
true freeloaders are drivers from Round Rock who use city streets ;+)

(Of course, a more astute carhead might eventually point out that the 
enhancement projects which pay for some of the bike _lanes_ are 
gas-tax-funded; but you can argue that bike lanes are there for the 
convenience of motorists, not cyclists, if you follow that view).
Essentially, the balance of payments is tilted so far in favor of 
automobile drivers that you'd have to spend tens of millions of 
dollars every year from gas taxes on bike/ped projects just to even 
the slate on construction, maintenance, and ROW. For instance, your 
COA property taxes are going to purchase the right-of-way for SH 
130...

---------------------
Stuart Werbner, 12-99

I think the problem bikers and auto drivers have with each other 
doesn't have a lick to do with bikers/bicycles not being licensed. It 
is quite simply an unequal power relationship, with bikers being on 
the short end of the stick. Auto drivers know that they are in a 
faster and much heavier road machine than the bicyclists. And, they 
know they have nothing to fear from bicycles, and also realize that 
the reverse is not true.

We can already demand our rights as honest tax paying citizens of 
this state -- we pay sales taxes, property taxes, and for those of us 
who also drive, gas taxes, auto registration fees, etc...We're not 
just a bunch of irreverent grade school kids slowing down traffic, 
anymore. A lot of us are now mature adults who pay taxes and vote. We 
can continue to demand that public money goes to bicycle projects 
(which is already the case, albeit not enough).

Perhaps as the area gets more crowded and polluted, more people will 
start to figure out that encouraging more transportation via bicycles 
and other alternate means may be a good thing. If people don't figure 
this out, then we have nothing to worry about except choking on our 
own pollution and stressing out in our own congestion. And, 
subjecting bicyclists to more taxes and regulations won't do anything 
except help further swell the size and power of government. This in 
turn, will drive down the ranks of bicyclists.

Why should I have to register my bicycle? Am I a threat to mow people 
down if not properly trained? Am I a threat to cause major property 
destruction? As a bicyclist am I the driving force behind expensive 
and environmentally destructive road building projects? If I sneak up 
to Oklahoma to buy a bicycle am I depriving the state of a major 
revenue source? Is my bicycle a cause of major road wear? Is the 
operation of a bicycle a major cause of air or non-point-source water 
pollution? Are bicycles involved in lots of crimes? Why should I have 
to register my bicycle?

Making cyclists register would remove one (of many) motorists' 
complaints about us, but I'm not willing to give the gubmint more of 
my money and more power over my day to day existence.

----------------------
Michael Bluejay, 12-99

Will forcing cyclists register make motorists respect us more? No. 
The thing is, the lack of bike registration isn't an actual 
objection, it's just whining. Motorists, who already hate cyclists, 
are simply scanning their brains to find ANY complaint they can make 
against us. (This is also why they get upset when cyclists carefully 
cruise Stop signs when there's absolutely no cross traffic.) If 
cyclists had to be registered, then all we'd be doing is removing one 
of the things that motorists whine about, but we would NOT be 
removing their objection to us. The lack of registration is just a 
distraction; it's not a "REAL" concern of motorists.

Does this make sense? They're only complaining about the lack of 
registration because they CAN, not because it really matters to them.

-----------
Ed. notes

For even more on this topic, visit
 the Biking in Austin website -> General Info -> Opinion

For even more than THAT, read the austin-bikes archives at
  www.topica.com ]

Please don't send me opinion pieces for inclusion.  I get material for
this column by selecting highlights of the discussions on the 
austin-bikes email list.  Post there, and your opinions may show up 
here.  See the end of this email for info on subscribing.


======================================================================
 CLASSIFIEDS:  Used Bikes for Sale
----------------------------------------------------------------------

CUSTOM-BUILT REVERSE RECUMBENT TRIKE.  2 wheels in front, one in back.
Very low to the ground.  (Think WindCheetah.)  Unique joystick 
steering.  Separate drum brakes for each front wheel.  20x1.75 front, 
26x1.5 rear.  3x7 gearing.  Toe clips, quick-release rear wheel, 
Avenir rack.  Built from scratch in 1998, barely used.  Make offer/
negotiable.  Cody Koeninger, 731-4226, cody@kmfms.com  (12-99)


52/53 cm BRIDGESTONE ROAD BIKE (red).  Ultegra Drivetrain, new
chainrings, cogs, handlebar, tape.  Nicely-detailed lugged steel frame
great ride. Wolber wheels, comes w/Look or Shimano SPD pedals-your
choice. Excellent cond. $250. 512 371-3922 or mr.otis@mail.utexas.edu


AD POLICY
---------
Ads for individuals up to four lines are free, and run for six months 
or until you tell me to remove it.  Ads are accepted ONLY through 
email at bluejay@mail.com.  This newsletter is geared towards people 
who ride for transportation; if you're trying to sell a $1000+ racing 
or mountain bike, you probably won't sell it here.

Commercial ads are $10 per insertion per issue for up to three lines. 
Send payment in advance to Michael Bluejay, PO Box 7382, Austin TX 
78713-7382, or email me to get an account set up.

We reserve the right to reject any ad or to suspend its publication 
for any reason.  Actually, we don't even have to have a reason.

  
======================================================================
 PUBLICATION / SUBSCRIPTION INFO            by Michael Bluejay, editor
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
      http://michaelbluejay.com/bicycle    bluejay@mail.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------

We currently have 411 subscribers.  Invitations to join have been sent
out to another 86.

Biking in Austin is published about once every week or two.  You 
either asked for this newsletter, or I personally know you to be a 
cyclist and I thought you'd want it.  If you no longer want the news-
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Articles are by me if uncredited.  Articles by others may have been 
edited for grammar, clarity, conciseness, superstition, or just for 
the hell of it.

Submissions that focus on bikes in general or on bikes as alternative 
transportation are welcome.  Please don't write to us about sport or 
off-road cycling, since we don't cover those areas.

Please don't send OPINION pieces for inclusion in the DISCUSSION column.
I get material for this column by selecting highlights of the 
discussions on the austin-bikes email list (see above).  Post there, 
and your opinions may show up here.

Before writing with questions, please check the Biking in Austin 
website to see if your question is answered there.  Here are some 
useful links:

  Bike Safety...........   michaelbluejay.com/bicycle/safety.html
  Back Issues...........   michaelbluejay.com/bicycle/newsletters
  Yellow Bike Project....  michaelbluejay.com/yellow
  City's Bicycle Program.  www.ci.austin.tx.us/bicycle
  Tracking License Plates  www.publicdata.com
  Calendar..............   michaelbluejay.com/bicycle/calendar.html

Thanks for reading this far.  Ride safely! :)  -MBJ-



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