Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Bicycle Commuter Tax Credits
Does it get any better than this?http://www.bikeleague.org/news/100708faq.php
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Learn How to Repair Your Own Bike
Pedal Revolution clinic
This nonprofit storefront provides employment and job training for at-risk youth and offers free in-store clinics - including a lecture and demonstration - geared to the experience and needs of the participants. Clinics cover basic topics such as flat repair, bike maintenance, bearing adjustment and wheel repair. 3085 21st St. (415) 641-1264, www.pedalrevolution.org.
REI maintenance basics
Learn how to lube a chain, fix a flat tire in record time, and make other minor adjustments to your bike. No experience necessary (links.sfgate.com/ZKDY). REI's Expert Advice section online ( www.rei.com/expertadvice) offers videos and articles on bicycle repair and maintenance for learning at your own pace. 840 Brannan St. (415) 934-1938.
Sports Basement classes
Sports Basement offers a variety of ongoing free classes at each store. (There are four in the Bay Area and two in San Francisco: 1590 Bryant St., (415) 575-3000; 610 Old Mason St., (415) 437-0100.) See a listing of free classes at links.sfgate.com/ZKDZ.
Bike Kitchen's help center
The Bike Kitchen is a do-it-yourself bicycle resource run by volunteers. On the second and fourth Fridays each month from 6-9 p.m., the group offers classes for "women, trans/gender queer folks, femmes, or anybody else that has had gender be a barrier to learning mechanics." No one is turned away. The Bike Kitchen also has basic and advanced classes for nominal fees. 650H Florida St., (415) 647-2453, www.bikekitchen.org.
Bicycletutor.com
My searches for complete online bicycle maintenance and repair resources came up short, but the videos at www.bicycletutor.com seem well-done and informative. The site has guides to basic and advance repair tools, detailed repair instructions, suggestions for picking out products and a Q&A forum.
S.F. Bicycle Coalition
Join the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and put all of your newfound bicycle repair and maintenance skills to work with discounts on parts and accessories at shops all over the city. Your membership also supports the work that is making streets safer and more inviting for cyclists. Go to www.sfbike.org for participating stores and specific discounts.
Bike About Town is presented by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, an 11,000-member nonprofit dedicated to creating safer streets and more livable communities by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation. For more biking resources, go to www.sfbike.org.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A World Without Lawyers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j6_S9lJ73o
This is a compelling piece produced by Consumer Attorneys of California, an organization that works tirelessly to protect the rights of consumers who have been injured or wronged. We urge you to take a look at it and forward it on.
This is a compelling piece produced by Consumer Attorneys of California, an organization that works tirelessly to protect the rights of consumers who have been injured or wronged. We urge you to take a look at it and forward it on.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Smooth Riding in the Howard Street Bike Lane
Although we counted on the old, decrepit, pot-hole riddled, cracked, debris laden Howard Street to feel like we were getting some use out of the "mountain" part of our mountain bikes--real off-roading like, the newly paved, smooth as a baby's bottom, Howard Street bike lane is like butta'. Now instead of fretting about falling into a point of no return hole in the street, all you have to worry about is the random peds darting into the bike lane, and of course, car doors being flung wide for no apparent reason. 1 less hazard to contend with and this makes us pleased as punch. Thanks SFBC...and you too CCSF.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Ljubljana, Slovenia is the new secret Prague
This great City is certainly the next great place to visit. Slovenia's literature is a hoot and shamelessly tells the world how it outshines its Balkan neighbors, which could be true. But, how you ask, does this relate to things on two-wheels? Well, much of the youthful energy of Ljubljana comes from the scores of people of all ages out on their bikes in these great big, colored bike lanes. While sitting at the untold number of cafes lining the river, you can watch the young and old on road bikes, mountain bikes, choppers and old school uprights complete with basket and bells (and definitely rockin' kickstands).
There is truly an amazing cycling culture at work here. It's like Eden for bikes. Bike racks are plentiful, crime is so low that hardly anyone bothers to even lock up their bikes, there are segregated bike lanes, many on the sidewalks, and traffic controls for bikes. There are also designated high traffic areas where bikes are not allowed which are clearly marked to ward off trouble. The great thing about bikes and peds sharing the sidewalk here is that everyone has their own space and it all works as long as everyone is courteous and watches out for one another. It all seems blissful and, with the exception of the almost universal lack of helmets, safe.
It's still a secret from most American tourists though...
There is truly an amazing cycling culture at work here. It's like Eden for bikes. Bike racks are plentiful, crime is so low that hardly anyone bothers to even lock up their bikes, there are segregated bike lanes, many on the sidewalks, and traffic controls for bikes. There are also designated high traffic areas where bikes are not allowed which are clearly marked to ward off trouble. The great thing about bikes and peds sharing the sidewalk here is that everyone has their own space and it all works as long as everyone is courteous and watches out for one another. It all seems blissful and, with the exception of the almost universal lack of helmets, safe.
It's still a secret from most American tourists though...
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