Ebikes as transportation opinion LA times art.

[SCbiker]

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/liva...ate-change-transportation-20170126-story.html

Alot of it is perception and slow infrastructure by states / manicupalities

 

[Ann M.]

@SCbiker, this is an old issue that non-electric cyclists have been fighting for decades. With relatively cheap gas prices and state and federal transportation subsidies directed primarily at roads for cars & trucks, it's been an uphill fight for every penny from state DOTs for walking or cycling infrastructure. The more crowded cities become the louder the voices for other options beyond a bus or car. Even cities with decent mass transit or trains can still face issues about how commuters get around once they step off a train. Some allow small e-scooters or electric bikes, some don't. And what is even slower to organize are decent bike routes outside the cities to connect nearby communities to reduce congestion on the highways. If there's no sidewalk or bike lane and you have to interface with 70mph traffic, that's discouraging, even if you're only 10 miles or so

Thanks for posting this. In Austin we have periodic ride n' drives for the public like a Ciclovia and other Green Events and demonstrations with test rides for city officials and the State Legislature in conjunction with our local bike advocacy groups. It does seem to have an impact, albeit slower than I would like to see .

 

[SCbiker]

Ann ... I hear you ... Have to keep pushing for what I call common sense infrastructure ... I've had the good fortune to travel / live in EU and Nordic countries ... As cold as they are plenty of infastructure that accommodates walking or bikes ... Can rail them (bikes) in with you from outlying areas and ride as part of commute or recreation ... Kinda playing my horn to the orchestra here . Peddle on Ann !

I'll be in San Antonio in late April ... See what happens there ... Try and find a place to rent an ebike

 

[Ann M.]

Call up Blue Star Bicycling Company at (210) 858-0331; they rent ebikes and regular bikes. I'd book early since there didn't seem to be many options for ebike rentals in San Antonio. I know that the new trails around the old historical missions have been a real boon to the bike rental business there. Blue Star is also a brew pub, so if you like take a ride and then kick up your feet with a cold one later

 

[SCbiker]

Call up Blue Star Bicycling Company at (210) 858-0331; they rent ebikes and regular bikes. I'd book early since there didn't seem to be many options for ebike rentals in San Antonio. I know that the new trails around the old historical missions have been a real boon to the bike rental business there. Blue Star is also a brew pub, so if you like take a ride and then kick up your feet with a cold one later

thanks for the tip Ann ! ill contact them and look fwd to exploring San Antonio

Cheers/prost/kippis ... Ann ... owe you a brew

B.

 

[J.R.]

common sense infrastructure

That's been key here in the Northeast. PA has been very good at using existing infrastructure right-of-ways, such as railroads and canal tow paths. Some disused for more than 25 years and some on live lines. It makes a lot of sense since these lines often go somewhere, one wants to go and have gentle grades. The workers that cut through mountains with picks and shovels in the 1800's would appreciate we are upcycling these existing infrastructures. Often it just takes smart money, not big money.

 

[SCbiker]

That's been key here in the Northeast. PA has been very good at using existing infrastructure right-of-ways, such as railroads and canal tow paths. Some disused for more than 25 years and some on live lines. It makes a lot of sense since these lines often go somewhere, one wants to go and have gentle grades. The workers that cut through mountains with picks and shovels in the 1800's would appreciate we are upcycling these existing infrastructures. Often it just takes smart money, not big money.

love hearing that JR ... does that include Pittsburg ? ...I used to do business there 80's 90's

 

[J.R.]

Yes! Pittsburgh is doing very well with cycleways. For a 4 season city they have one of the strongest bicycling communities in PA. I feel fortunate here, as there are a lot of people here willing to donate their time to the cause. Trails are clean and well maintained, mostly by private citizens. Corporate donations creating and maintaining the paths and trails has been on the upswing in the last decade as well.