What happened to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia?

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Over the years the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has evolved and changed. Gone are the days when it was once an organization that boldly advocated bicycling and the rights for cyclists to ride on the streets of Philadelphia. Once they took on city government and local media, now they surrender giving away more than the end result is worth. What was once an organization that prided itself on building a community within Philadelphia is now more concerned about placating its wealthy suburban and urban donor base.

The early signs of decay occurred when Philadelphia Inquirer opinion writer and professional grumpy old man Stu Bykofsky started writing columns in 2009 about how bike lanes and bikes caused congestion, all cyclists broke the law by either riding on the sidewalk or running red lights. The BCGP attempted to educate Mr. Bykofsky, which he turned into more material for his columns. The slightest hesitation or misstatement was a sign that the BCGP was lying.

At the same time a various members of the Philadelphia City Council attempted to pass bills that were intended to take punitive action against cyclists. Attempts included banning fixed gear bikes, levy $1000.00 fines against the owners, and register bicycles like cars complete with license plates. When all of these failed, the city council upped the ante by creating a bill in 2011 that would allow Philadelphia City Council to make the final decision regarding the installation of any bicycle lane that would remove parking or a lane of travel for cars.

In an effort to hide what the city council was attempting the bill was announced the just before the 2011 Memorial Day weekend and held the vote a few days after the weekend had passed. The BCGP marshaled its resources and prevented this bill from passing. In 2012 the Philadelphia City Council introduced the same bill using the same tactics, this time the bill passed with the blessing of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. In return the BCGP got some inclusion of pedestrians and cyclists on to the Philadelphia Complete Streets bill and that cars parked in bicycle lanes would be ticketed.

By giving the Philadelphia City Council complete control over the installation of future bicycle lanes they could easily turn Philadelphia into patchwork system of partial bicycle lanes that connect to nowhere. Whether the Philadelphia Police Department and Parking Authority will ticket cars parked in bicycle lanes remains questionable at best.

The BCGP is starting to lose its credibility to speak and act on behalf on the cyclists who live and work within Philadelphia. 

Gone in 30 Seconds

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Sometimes bicycle theft happens so quickly, just a quick snip with a bolt cutter and no one even notices. Other times it can be incredibly obvious and no one is going to even bother to call the police. In the past a statement like this would have been hard to prove, but with the creation of YouTube, now it’s just a matter of waiting for someone to post a video.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words then video must be worth 10,000 words. Want to see how fast a bike can be stolen watch the video below; the thief walks in, checks for anyone watching him, and rides off with the bike.

While I feel for the person who had this bike. Even if your bicycle is within arms length of you all it takes is a few distracted moments and your bike is gone. Always lock your bicycle to something; taking it inside is no protection from theft.

In 2005 Casey Neistat and his brother Van locked their bicycle in a series of locations with lots of pedestrians and proceeded to steal it using a variety of tools; hacksaws, bolt, cutters, and a grinder. To see if anything would happen, not only did nothing happen, one person even offered advice when he was using a hammer and chisel.

In 2012 at the invitation of the New York Times Casey Neistat went back and tried this again to see if anything had changed. This time in addition to the same tools from last time, he stole his bike in front of a police station and had a black friend steal his bike. At one point the police actually show up, but only after he spent 9 minutes cutting a bike lock with a grinder. Although with a cutting wheel on the grinder it would have taken him two minutes.

Owning a bicycle means at some point it will get stolen and there are things you can do to make it as difficult as possible to steal. So a potential thief will move on to another target, any cable lock or chain you buy in hardware store can be cut with a bolt cutter. You need to invest in a high quality Kryptonite u-lock or chain, Kryptonite rates its locks based on the level of security you need.

What Happened to the Philly Bike Party?

In 2012 a new player arrived on the social bike ride scene in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Bike Party. A social ride modeled after the San Diego Bike Party, a monthly low speed ride attracts hundreds of cyclists. At about the same time the Philly Bike Party formed so did the Baltimore Bike Party. The Baltimore rides have attracted around 500 to 700 participants per ride every month and on Halloween 1300. Even their most recent ride in January had a few hundred in spite of a snowstorm. 

The organizers for the Philly Bike Party seemed to have all of the needed background; experienced cyclists who were part of the planning team for the Philadelphia Naked Bike Ride. Which gave them the experience to plan the rides and the network needed to create a following. Rides like this do require commitment and volunteer help. Route planning, setting up a final destination where people can hang out, and sweep riders to make sure no one gets lost.

Regrettably the Philadelphia Bike Party rides were few and far apart and that they never built a following, because there was nothing to follow. Perhaps this was just one project to many for the planners who are full time students, working part time jobs, and volunteering within their community.

Compared to so many other cities Philadelphia seems to be always behind the curve when it comes to concepts like this. With several colleges and universities in Philadelphia, the 2000 participants in the Philadelphia Naked Bike Ride, along with professionals of all ages living in the area you would think that there is a built in audience for this type of ride. I can only hope that in time someone else will work on reviving this concept.

Book Review: Just Ride

Remember when you were a kid and whenever you went some place on your bike you just got on it and went? You did not know or care about what you wore, what you rode, or where you were going. Recently published “Just Ride” by Grant Peterson is a reminder for many of us why we got into cycling as well as a remembrance as to what cycling is really about. Since the 1990's cycling and cyclists have been heavily influenced by high profile, professional racers. That influence has heavily affected several generations of recreational cyclist to emulate many of the things that professional cyclists do that far exceeds what is physically possible or necessary for almost all cyclists.

With 212 pages and 89 chapters the books sounds as if it is going to be an extensive read that would go into agonizing detail. However the book is not bigger than a standard business size envelope and the author keeps each chapter to a page and half and two pages. Each chapter stays on message, to the point, and is written in easily understood English. Without any of the jargon that many cyclists use that tend to confuse and turn off

The main headings break down into 8 parts, which are;

Riding

Suiting up

Safety

Health and fitness

Accessories

Upkeep

Technicalities

Velosophy

If it involves cycling Just Ride addresses it, especially a lot of common sense items that many cyclists have never considered or have been misinformed. Mr. Peterson will have you rethinking your approach to cycling as exercise, charity rides, clothing, teach you how to make family rides fun, the basics of maintenance and safety.

This book is a must read and a great gift for every recreational cyclist and novice. It dispels many of the myths and misinformation around cycling over the years and replaces them with a common sense approach. That makes cycling as easy and fun as when we were kids.

2012 Philadelphia Social Rides

With much of the major riding season over until the spring its time to take a look back at some of the highlights and lowlights of the past year. While there are plenty of alley cats, charity rides, races there are some that stand out more than others.

The most questionable ride that happens is the Philadelphia Naked Bike Ride, PNBR. While the ride has grown since its inception whether it achieves any of it broad based and nebulous goals remains highly questionable. The only people who benefit from the PNBR are the owners of the nearby bars at the Piazza at Schmiddts where the ride ends and after parties are held.

There are rides that are building a sense of community through good deeds and others through good fun.  Examples of rides built through good fun include the Bilenky Junk Yard Cross is an unsanctioned cyclocross where nothing about the course or the participants are regulation. It draws a very eclectic group of participants and spectators for a day of friendly competition.

The Philly Tweed ride is also a great example of good fun builds a community. The Philadelphia Tweed Ride is a vintage themed bicycle ride where the participants dress in early 1900's style clothing and take a leisurely ride through Philadelphia with a stop for a picnic lunch and dinner. Attracting over 100 participants per year of all ages this ride gives participants a chance to exercise their creative abilities as well as create the opportunity to dress up for a unique social setting.

While Philadelphia has its share of charity bicycle rides most of them are century rides run by a non for-profit that have the resources and the staff to execute such an undertaking. There are two rides that I am aware of, that have been created through the hard work of individuals who make time outside of work, school, and other commitments to plan these rides.

Philly Cranksgiving is an alley cat race where participants navigate to a series of grocery stores to purchase items from a list that are brought to a final destination. Organized by two local residents, Gary and CJ,  all of the proceeds go to Philabundance a food bank that helps Philadelphians in need. The 2012 ride raised 800 pounds of food and $1200.00, $1000.00 of which was donated by Tattooed Mom's matching the amount spent by the riders who donated food. This helped feed 2000 residents of Philadelphia.

There was a new addition this year, Gears for Gifts. An organized bicycle ride with the proceeds going to Toys for Tots. Traditionally motorcycle and car clubs holds rides of this nature so it’s always refreshing to see a new twist on an existing concept. I can only hope that this ride becomes an annual event and may some day rival the Midnight Ridazz All City Ride.

I'm looking forward to 2013 to see how many of these rides will cotinue to grow and evolve. As well as what new rides will develop.