Bicycle commuting and obesity

The link below is to a magazine that has a regular feature they call transparencies that are basically interesting graphical representations of data. This one is on the percent of commutes by foot and by bike with the percentage of the population that is "obese". They have done it by country. Click on "launch infographic" in the bottom right. Enjoy!

http://www.good.is/post/transparency-the-effects-of-bike-commuting-on-obesity/

GJ Sentinel articles

The first is a link to the GJ Sentinel where Dick Prosence comments cyclists as freeloaders.
http://community.gjsentinel.com/2009/11/10/freeloaders-should-help-pave-their-way/

This second link is a response.
http://community.gjsentinel.com/2009/11/13/where-would-the-bike-tax-stop/

Bicycle Safety Video

The city of Grand Junction will be airing this video (see link) on Channel 12. When we know more, we will post the date and time. It was created by League of American Bicyclists.

Take the Urban Trails Survey to have input into the future of bike paths and trails in Grand Junction !

We will figure out a way to post this document somewhere and keep you up to date. This blog doesn't host documents for security reasons.

Colorado Bicycle Laws
A brief summary of the new bicycle laws for the state of Colorado:

FOR CYCLISTS
* In the state of Colorado a bicycle is a vehicle, you have the same rules and responsibilities as a motor vehicle
* Ride in a designated bike lane if one is present, otherwise ride as far to the right hand side of the road as practicable
* Don't weave in and out of parked vehicles - hold a straight line of travel
* Ride with traffic
* Ride single file
* Don't cling to other vehicles
* Obey all traffic signs and signals
* Use a light at night
* Yield to Pedestrians and give an audible signal when passing
* When crossing railroad tracks ride perpendicular to the rails
* Be predictable to others around you
* Ride defensively
* Wear a helmet
* Keep control of your bicycle by keeping both hands on the handlebars
* Use hand signals when turning

Sharing the Road for Auto Drivers
* Allow at least 3 feet between your vehicle and a cyclist when passing
* Signal your intentions before you turn
* Look back before making turns - cyclists may be approaching
* Be aware that when roads are too narrow for cyclists and motorists to ride side by side, cyclists are encouraged to take the lane when appropriate. This is especially true for narrow City streets where cyclists can be "pinched" between vehicles
* If you must honk your horn at a bicycle, do so from a friendly distance, not from directly behind or directly beside - this is startling and unsafe to the bicyclist
* Don't cut off a bicyclist when turning right. Be patient.
* Look before exiting a parked vehicle - "car dooring" has dire consequences
* Don't harass or endanger a bicyclist - by law this is considered reckless endangerment - a misdemeanor offense
* It is illegal to drive in designated Bike Lanes unless to turn into or out of access points - and even then, by City Traffic Code, bicyclists have the right of way

Stop as Yield

What if cyclists could slow as they approached a stop sign or red light and then proceed if all was clear, as they can in Idaho, and as proposed in Oregon?

http://www.bicyclelaw.com/articles/a.cfm/legally-speaking-stop-as-yield1

Counties seek authority to ban bikes.........

Counties seek authority to ban bikes.........

This was just posted to the Bicycle Colorado website. go to http://www.bicyclecolorado.org/ to see how to get involved !

*277 (CSP) Aggressive Driver hotline

*277 (CSP) Aggressive Driver hotline - Dial this number from your cell phone to report aggressive drivers. If you are calling from a non-mobile phone dial 303-239-4501. When dialing Star CSP bicyclists should be prepared to communicate:
Vehicle license plate number - this is mandatory
Location and direction of travel
Vehicle and driver description, if possible
The aggressive driving behavior being demonstrated

According to the State Patrol website, they enter this information into an aggressive driver database and send a warning letter after receiving three complaints. If the State Patrol receives additional complaints they send a trooper to make personal contact with the registered owner of the vehicle to take appropriate enforcement action. Bicyclists may report aggressive driving from any road in Colorado, not just a state highway. If you are not on a state highway the State Patrol will offer to connect you to the local police or sheriff to file a report. Ask the State Patrol to please take your report and enter the license into the aggressive driver database before being transferred.

Links

Here are some links that folks might be interested in:

1. http://bicyclecolo.org/index.cfm Bicycle Colorado's web page

2. http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8839&Itemid=2976 GO Boulder's web page

3. http://www.bicyclelaw.com/ Bob Mionske's bicycle law page

4. http://www.bikeleague.org/ League of American Bicyclists

Feel free to add more !!

Problem areas - wish list

I thought I'd start a post where we can keep a running list of problem cycling areas around Grand Junction. After everyone brainstorms and adds, we can summarize, prioritize and discuss with the City:

1. Intersection of 1st St, Grand Ave, Hwy. 340, Hwy 6 and 50. In particular, the stretch of Grand just west of the intersection. Very narrow, no bike lanes. I'd like to see 8 feet come off that stretch of grass, and bike lanes installed to connect with the wide shoulder that goes over the railroad bridge, and down to the bike path just past City Shops.

welcome to the GJCyclists blogspot

Now we have a place to use as a central repository for our Grand Junction, Colorado, recreational and commuting cycling information.