DRIVING CHANGE - Complete Our Streets!

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From: Better World Club <marketing@betterworldclub.com>
Sent: January 25, 2012 2:04 PM
To: Dan Stafford <aquarianm@gmail.com>
Subject: DRIVING CHANGE - Complete Our Streets!

January 25th, 2012 GET MOVING Plan to Increase Fuel Efficiency Standards Unites EPA, Automakers, Democrats, Republicans In Related News, Hell Reports Record Low Temperatures, While Farmers Struggle to Tether Flying Pigs In July of 2011 President Obama emerged from talks with major US automakers with a plan for doubling fuel economy standards – from 27 to 54 mpg – for vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2025. The US Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency recently released an official joint proposal for the plan. A press release by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that, "this proposal will save Americans over $1.7 trillion at the pump, more than $8,000 per vehicle by 2025. These combined actions also will reduce America's dependence on oil by an estimated 12 billion barrels, and, by 2025, reduce oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels per day – enough to offset almost a quarter of the current level of our foreign oil imports. Taken together, these actions will also slash 6 billion metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the programs." The plan offers incentives to carmakers for early adoption of stricter standards, and helps to unify a patchwork of state regulations that have in the past caused problems for manufacturers. A survey by the Consumer Federation of America showed that a majority of both Republicans and Democrats support the increase in fuel efficiency standards; the plan is also widely supported by car manufacturers themselves. The plan is scheduled to be finalized in the summer of 2012. NHTSA and the EPA have extended the public comment period, which will now end on February 13, 2012. You can make public-record comments online here. You can also sign a petition in support of the new standards: change.org has one here. WASHINGTON WATCH Proposed Restriction Would Keep Bikes off Federal Roads Cyclists Relegated to Poorly-Maintained Paths Will Begin Carrying Axes to Clear Fallen Logs Andy Clarke of the League of American Bicyclists states that "the draft of the Senate's transportation authorization (S. 1813 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act) has been a bit of a disappointment for cyclists. It reduces funding for dedicated bicycling programs and allows state departments of transportation an opt-out for spending it." Cyclists' main concern, however, is with the authorization's treatment of bicycle safety on federal land. Section § 203 (d) BICYCLE SAFETY.The Secretary of the appropriate Federal land management agency shall prohibit the use of bicycles on each federally owned road that has a speed limit of 30 miles per hour or greater and an adjacent paved path for use by bicycles within 100 yards of the road. Clark believes that the proposed law would force cyclists off roads and onto paths, regardless of the paths' condition. He explains that a sidepath law is "a provision that used to be found in a lot of state vehicle codes that says that when a sidepath (bike path, trail) is provided for cyclists, they have to use it and can't ride on the parallel roadway. Over the past 20 years, the number of states with this law still on their books has dwindled to just a handful. The problem with the provision is that the restriction applies regardless of the quality, safety, and utility of the path provided; it disregards the needs of cyclists to be on the roadway to access shops, services etc.; and ignores our fundamental right to the road." While advocates for cyclists' rights agree that increasing equality of access should be the goal of both state and national legislation, many disagree about whether greater access should include increased cyclist presence on high-speed roads, or whether greater focus should be put on improving and expanding sidepaths to provide a safer alternative. Unfortunately, S. 1813 does neither. It restricts bike access to roads without making any commitment to maintain or improve sidepaths - even though poor path conditions are a regular reason for cyclist's use of relatively more dangerous roadways. Instead of offering solutions, the authorization addresses the problem of cyclists on roadways by criminalizing them. You can sign the petition to tell the Senate to remove this clause. More "Washington Watch" in Kicking Asphalt - BWC President Mitch Rofsky Joins Other Business Leaders to Oppose Keystone Pipeline Additional Ways to Get Where You're Going: Horizontally: Urban Spelunkers Mourn as Bioswales Replace Storm Drains Vertically: Grow Lettuce in Your Living Room! Upside-down: Cucumbers Have Always Dreamed of Flight And Even In Little Verdant Patches on Your Bathroom Floor If you would like to contribute your opinion to Driving Change's "Giving Directions" please email it to us at info@betterworldclub.com. DO YOU PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS? BP Axes Solar Power Business by Terry Macalister, guardian.co.uk BP has taken the axe to its solar power business, saying it "can't make any money" from selling panels at a time when it continues to spend $20bn annually on oil and gas developments. The energy group, which once promised to move "beyond petroleum", was an important player in solar but has over the last three years gradually closed its panel factories and made around 1,750 workers redundant. At the same time, the company has gradually retreated from other areas such as carbon capture and storage and shut down its separate London headquarters for BP Alternative Energy. Complete Story Ford C-MAX Hybrid by Larry E. Hall, hybridcars.com In a move to chip away at Toyota's market dominance of hybrid cars, Ford will roll out two new hybrid models in 2012. The no-plug C-Max Hybrid and plug-in C-Max Energi are based on the five-passenger C-Max sold in Europe. In an announcement in June to expand production of the two C-Max hybrids, Ford said it had changed its mind about the seven-passenger gasoline-only version of the Grand C-Max in the U.S and the C-Max will be a dedicated hybrid vehicle. The C-Max Hybrid will arrive in the first half of 2012 followed by the C-Max Energi. "This is our Prius fighter," said Ford's head of global marketing, Jim Farley, during a recent press announcement. Complete Story US Looks Ahead After Ethanol Subsidy Expires by Rob Lever (AFP) After a series of bitter political fights, the US Congress allowed a subsidy for ethanol fuel to expire at the end of 2011, ending a program harshly criticized by environmentalists and others. By taking no action, US lawmakers ended the credit of 45 cents per gallon refiners get for blending ethanol, which in the US market is made mostly from corn, into gasoline. Also terminated was a tariff on imports of 54 cents per gallon which was criticized by Brazil, a producer of sugar cane-based ethanol. The programs were in place since the 1980s as a means of curbing US use of imported petroleum. But over time, criticism grew that growing ethanol use diverted too much corn from food to fuel, and led to environmental and land use problems, by adding to incentives to plant more corn. The program also cost taxpayers some $6 billion annually. Complete Story 'DRIVING CHANGE' ANAGRAM OF THE MONTH Dang Chive Ring #1 GoodSearch Result For "Dang Chive Ring" - What is GoodSearch? Tell a friend about Better World Club! marketing@betterworldclub.com •  Better World Club

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Glen Ellyn Cycling And Fitness

I stopped in and talked to Dennis this afternoon. This shop has been a Schwinn dealer for decades.

Dennis gave me some good tips on the restoration, and a couple of leads on supplies.

He also has a couple of very clean old 60's stingrays, and a a few 70's ten-speeds. One of them is a continental, in good mechanical condition for $89.00. The bike has been re-painted, so non-stock paint & no decals, but the hardware is in better shape than my Connie. Just sayin'.

I can't bring myself to part out one of these bikes. I'll buy parts, but I won't desyroy a functioning bike for them.

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: I'm Not The Only One Who Loves These Old Bikes..,.

@atkinson4us John Atkinson

Does everyone remember the old Schwinn Continental? No one makes the double handlebar brakes anymore pic.twitter.com/pml0uBb6

75 Schwinn Continental: Chicago Tribune Says Rental Bikes Coming In Big Next Summer...

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that around 3,000 bikes will be rented in Chicago at a couple of hundred stations to help make CTA transfers and traffic congestion easier. Check it out: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-bike-sharing-20110922,0,6945682.story

Ride on,

Dan

We won! Federal support for bicycling is preserved

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From: Tim Blumenthal, peopleforbikes.org <info@peopleforbikes.org>
Sent: September 16, 2011 1:54 PM
To: Daniel Stafford <aquarianm@gmail.com>
Subject: We won! Federal support for bicycling is preserved

Dear Daniel, The U.S. Senate affirmed its time-tested support of bicycling Thursday by forcing Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma to withdraw his proposal to eliminate dedicated funding for the Transportation Enhancements program. Peopleforbikes.org supporters and our advocacy partners influenced this outcome by sending close to 50,000 emails and making thousands of phone calls to their U.S. Senators in just 48 hours. Thank you! As a result, funding for all federal transportation programs has now been extended to March 31, 2012. The key, cost-effective programs that make bicycling safer and easier -- Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails -- will continue to receive modest, dedicated support -- about 1.5 percent of the total federal transportation investment. Every U.S. Senate office received an unprecedented number of well-crafted emails and articulate phone calls this week from people who bike. This powerful show of support for bicycling made a strong impression on Congress and influenced the positive outcome. We reminded the Senate that bicycling investments support a growing number of transportation trips coast to coast, and save government agencies money on road repairs, parking infrastructure costs, and health-care costs. They recognize that this is a small investment with a big payback that makes Americans safer. A huge thanks to the thousands of Americans, our supporters, who rallied quickly to contact their elected officials on this challenge. We will continue to keep you posted on key issues and opportunities that affect the future of bicycling in the United States. I hope you'll join me in taking a ride this weekend to celebrate! Tim Blumenthal Director, Peopleforbikes.org

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75 Schwinn Continental: A Good 30-Mile Ride...

I rode from Butterfield & Meyers in Oak Brook to Butterfield & Winfield via the prairie path - in 95 degree temps. Whew!

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: Head-On Collision...

Riding up a blind curve on the prairie path, someone riding high-speed on the left side of the path instead of the right. Basically, a young guy around 18-20, who was riding on the street that the trail crosses, cut left onto the trail right in front of me. I was riding on the right side of the path, and he should've been doing the same. We both wound up on the ground sitting on our butts. Neither of us was injured, thankfully.



However, my front wheel went straight into the frame of his bike, and it's twisted up like a pretzel. I was about 8-10 miles away from home on the return leg of what would've been a nice forty-mile ride. I'd ridden from Oak Brook Towers in Oak Brook, IL (Corner of Butterfield & Meyers) out to the prairie path along Ardmore, then West to Wheaton, and South to St. James Farm forest preserve along Butterfield road, about twenty miles one-way. I even saw a couple of deer up close on the trail where I turned around at St. James Farm. 



I was on my way back, just a little bit East of Glen Ellyn, but not yet to I-355 when the accident happened. I had to call my wife for a ride home, the bike was difficult to even walk.


I have a spare rim from the rear of a Schwinn Varsity that matches the existing rims. I'm going to have to have the Varsity rim re-spoked to the continental front hub, which will cost at least $70.00, and my bike will be down for a week and a half because I can't pay for the work until a week from Friday. 


Additionally, I'll be spending more quality time with the steel wool, as the bike shop will do mechanicals, but won't detail the rim like I want. 


On the plus side, I did learn of a local Schwinn shop that has a lot of vintage bikes and parts in Glen Ellyn, so I'll stop by there and see what they might have for my ride soon. I'll save the results on that for another post.


I'm also eternally grateful to my sweet wife, who dropped everything to come to my rescue. That rim was so bent I couldn't even walk the bike without hoisting it on the back wheel, and I was still ten miles from home.


Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: Bike In The Shop Until Monday...

...where Bicycles, Etc is installing an aftermarket front deraillure while I search the web for an original unit. Installed cost for the aftermarket deraillure is $49.

I'm keeping the old one until I can truly replace it.

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: Some Great Riding, And An Old Lesson Re-Learned...

...the hard way.

First, I got a good ride in with my wife on the 4th of July along the Prairie Path. I'd say about fifteen miles round-trip for me, eight for her.

Then yesterday I rode my bike to the gym and did 45 minutes working out on all the upper-body machines, then rode home.

Today, I put in 30 miles round-trip alone. I rode from Butterfield & Meyers in Oak Brook to Main and Liberty in Wheaton, then back. It was on the way home that I re-learned an old lesson.

The bolt and standoff that go across the bottom of the front deraillure was missing. I hit a hard bump at high speed, and the chain bounced enough to catch the lower ends of the deraillure, yank it forward, and thoroughly mangle it.

The last time that happened, I was 15, and getting a new one was only a matter of money. Now, the bike is 36 years old.

Sigh. Help me, Ebay Kenobi!

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: The Tire Issue Was As I Suspected...

...which I figured out by taking out the flat inner tube and inflating it outside the tire.

There's a large pin-hole on the rim-facing side about two and a half inches away from the stem.

I filed and laquered the drain holes inside the rim both directions from the stem. I then added a couple of layers of masking tape in the same areas. Now I'm just waiting for a chance to ride to prove it out.

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: Thank You, Bicycle Times Editor...

...for being kind enough to publish my letter in Spoke N' Word in issue number 11. (Currently on news stands)

I just purchased it and read it cover-to-cover.

I found your articles on the burgeoning bi-partisan bicycle lobby and caucus in Washington, DC and 'How To Speak Bicycle To A Conservative" especially fascinating. They may help me with local advocacy for cycling infrastructure and regulations in the future.

Ride On,

Dan Stafford
Democratic Precinct Committeeman
York Township precinct 112
DuPage County, IL

75 Schwinn Continental: Boise Bicycle Project...

http://www.greenamerica.org/greengrants/2011/BoiseBicycle.cfm

Now, this is cool!

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: Olive Oil To Prevent Strokes?

Eating Olive Oil May Lower Risk Of Strokes For 65+ Year-Olds

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/06/15/olive-oil-could-lower-stroke-risk-study/

Not exactly biking-related, but something good.

Full disclosure: I grew up with Italian grandparents and prefer vinegar & oil dressing and olive oil on my bread rather than butter. (Except raisin toast or English muffins.) I generally eat olive oil several days per week.

Ride On,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: 1st Separated Bike Lane In Loop And Comment Reply Trouble...

First, the City of Chicago is installing itd first stretch of separated bike lane along Kinzie this month. Full Chicago Trobune article: chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-bike-track-0606-20110605,0,2786870.story

Second, both the current versions of Internet Explorer and Firefox are flunking when I try to post comments on my blogs, via failing to render the posting forms. Ryan, thank you for your great comments. I'll try to respond directly when I can get at my laptop, with Chrome.

Finally, I'm still having an issue with flats on my rear tire, and I've been too busy to fix it yet. Frustrating! Hopefully I'll get it tomorrow after work.

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: Another Beautiful 30 Miles...

I rode the Prairie Path to downtown Wheaton again. Utterly gorgeous riding weather; blue skies and upper 50's.

I got another flat on the way home, in the parking lot of my condo.

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: Beautiful Long Prairie Path Ride Today...

Click on picture to view full-size

I went from Butterfield & Meyers in Oak Brook, IL to downtown Wheaton, IL and back. I'm thinking that's about 15 miles one-way.

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: Helmet Pics & Fix-A-Flat...

I had a fun time Saturday morning. I went to go ride the bike path along Lake Michigan with a couple of friends. As soon as I got to the bike room, I saw that I had a flat - with a week-old inner tube and tire. I pumped the tire up, but it was getting way low within 15 minutes. I was able to go ride, but I had to stop five times and pump the tire up. I suspected that the rust and rough spots inside the rim were punching pin holes in the tube. I spent about an hour today scouring rust and filing rough spots inside the rear rim before putting a fresh tube on the rear wheel. We'll see over the next couple of days if it worked.

Also, here are the photos of the Air Mail helmet by Nutcase that I promised a few days ago. Note the magnetic clasp that allows one-handed operation.

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: Nice Long Ride This Morning...

I took the Connie about 3-4 miles North along Ardmore, then caught the Illinois Prairie Trail going East about 5 miles to I-294, then back.

The chain slipped off the front low-gear sprocket about three times when I was down-shifting the rear sprocket. I find that baffling, unless I was backpedaling a little and didn't realize it.

The front brake cable also popped out of the handle once. I'm thinking that I want to tighten up both brakes a little. You really have to crank on them to stop. A little fine-tuning yet.

The weather was perfect. 62 degrees F, light overcast, slight hint of breeze.

I'm thrilled. I got close to 20 miles round trip, and a ton of fresh trails to ride.

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: The Chicago Green Festival...

...was lots of fun. However, the bike rental did NOT have the Calypso Cruiser 7-speed bikes I had reserved online. They had a three-speed Trek model I'm not familiar with. It worked OK, though.

On the way to the fest, the ride was cool, but not too bad. We were riding right along the Lake Michigan shoreline, so it was pretty windy.

The Fest operators had an indoor bike-valet set up, so there was no worry at all about the bikes being stolen or abused.

The Fest itself was lots of fun, with about 150 sustainable-product vendors and twenty-plus speakers per day. I bought a few things for my wife and I, and a couple of gifts for friends.

The ride back, however, was pretty miserable. The winds had really picked up out of the North, and we were riding North. Additionally, there was a steady drizzle, and both my son and I were pretty wet by the time we'd dropped the bikes off.

All-in-all, I'd prefer to have my own bike, and not to ride if there's a chance of rain. It was a fun adventure, though.

Ride on,

Dan

75 Schwinn Continental: The Helmet Arrived Today...

...finally. I took the Airmail out for a good hour-long ride this evening. It breathes well, doesn't interfere with my sunglasses or bluetooth, and is quite comfortable. So far, no "helmet hair," either.

I'll post some pics tomorrow.

Ride on,

Dan