gmane.politics.activism.carfree

Tearful Confession

Jym Dyer — 2013-01-18T02:01:33

[Transcript from my tell-all interview, which was supposed to be
aired tonight but was preempted by some danged thing or other.]

Oprah, it's time for me to come clean.  For many years, I have
used performance-enhancing devices (PEDs) for my daily bike
commute.  Not that this is any excuse, but I was trying to
compete with others who were using cars.

My sophisticated operation was why I was never caught.  I have
never tested positive for cars, because I was using the big
stuff:  mostly Rohr Industries, Alstom, Nippon, Bombardiers,
and sometimes even Bredas and Van Hools.  These allowed me to
keep my bike with me.

I am hoping that with this confession we can let the healing
and forgiveness begin, followed by a lucrative book tour.
Also, let's dedicate some of those lanes on the Bay Bridge
for bicycles, and remove the deadly scourge of cars from
this sport that we all love.

RE: Doors and forgetting

James & Ute Grayson — 2012-10-22T05:16:21

A 'car' is a capsule that is unlike the 'real world' outside the car.
Passing through the door (of the car) is the most convenient way of entering
the capsule.  If one were to hop over the top of the windows of an open
convertible, the same concept would be present...providing the occupant was
now surrounded by front, rear, and side windows, or sitting low within the
body of the car.

 

Ideas, information and concepts that were (only) important when not in a
car-capsule, may not be significant to that same person now isolated within
the capsule.

 

As cyclists, we may think it very important for motorists to stay out of the
bike lane; as a motorist, it does not seem to be nearly so important.

 

Jim

 

From: Jym Dyer, Sunday, October 21, 2012 9:51 PM

 

=v= So, does getting into cars through car doors have the same effect?
Making people forget how to behave as if there are other people on the road,
in the world, and such?
<_Jym_>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Doors and forgetting

Jym Dyer — 2012-10-22T04:51:25

=v= So, does getting into cars through car doors have the
same effect?  Making people forget how to behave as if there
are other people on the road, in the world, and such?
    <_Jym_>

Doors and forgetting

Christopher Miller — 2012-10-22T01:33:07

Here's a quite interesting report about research on the cognitive effects of the built environment: 

http://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/27476-walking-through-doorways-causes-forgetting-new-research-shows/

It seems that doorways tend to trigger some kind of associative "closure" in people's minds, leading them to forget pieces of information acquired before passing through the doors. It would be interesting to see what other cognitive effects can be linked to other aspects of the built environment. 

Chris Miller
Montreal

From the Simple Love of Riding a Bike

Jym Dyer — 2012-09-02T17:03:14

http://screenrant.com/premium-rush-interviews-jospeh-gordon-levitt-david-koepp/

"I found a lot of environmentalism, a lot of wanting to support
local commerce -- a real conscious and positive and progressive
way of thinking about life.  All of which stemmed from the simple
love of riding a bike, which probably comes from when they were
kids, well before they were thinking about any of this stuff."

=v= This sounds like something I would write, but in fact it's
a quote from actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, describing what it
was like to spend time with New York City bike messengers when
filming _Premium_Rush_.  He continues:

"But it's true that if more people rode bikes and fewer people
drove cars, the world would be better for it. And I would
certainly hope that if people coming out of this movie are
itching to ride a bike, then it's certainly done a good thing."

This is like an erupting volcano of awesomesauce.

=v= I went into _Premium_Rush_ expecting mostly to see great
bike footage and the thrill of watching some friends on the
big screen.  It's got a lot more than that to recommend it.
The film is so full of authentic details about urban biking
in  NYC, there should be a trivia contest or drinking game.
I'd give it two thumb-shifters up except, you know, fixed gear.
    <_Jym_>

Ray Bradbury Quote

Jym Dyer — 2012-06-06T20:06:32

"A car, for instance, dead brute, unthinking, an unprogrammed bulk, is the greatest destroyer of souls in history. "
    -- Ray Bradbury, _I_Sing_the_Body_Electric_

Re: New member of the list

traci — 2012-03-08T07:47:20

Welcome to the list, Tom!

To let you know that your message has been seen and heard.........though I'm hardly the official hostess nor the Mistress of Spin.

-Traci
("Chips, dips, chains, whips!"--Lisa, (w,stte), "Weird Science")

--- In CarFree-hHKSG33TihhbjbujkaE4pw< at >public.gmane.org, Tom Armstrong <bikeolounger< at >...> wrote:

Re: Panniers

CAT Director — 2012-03-04T18:06:40

Get another computer for your home and use software to duplicate the status
of your work laptop on your home computer.  In other words, stop carrying
the one back and forth.

Re: Panniers

Mark Jaroski — 2012-03-03T06:59:45

I have one of these:

http://www.cyclelife.com/Product.aspx?pc=2&pt=33&pg=6815

... and for my laptop it's just about the perfect balance between rugged
practical and stylish for my taste.

I've ridden in a fairly heavy rain for a half hour or so, and it's been
fine. I think you could ride in worse weather longer with the Orleib
panniers, but you'll pay a premium, and where the Vaude bag will sort of
 pass as a briefcase in the office, the Orleib really doesn't.

-mark

On Tue, Feb 28, 2012 at 16:37, Devin <coultraguy-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w< at >public.gmane.org> wrote:



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Panniers

Whitney Turner — 2012-03-02T21:30:25

Devin,

Can't quite place where on the planet you're writing from, but if you've 
got access to stuff from Arkel Overdesign it may be what you need.

http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categories/laptop-bicycle-pannier.html 
shows various options - mine is the 
http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categories/laptop-bicycle-pannier/briefcase-commuter-bike-bag.html

Looks "normal" until you want to strap it to your bike, then works like 
a charm.

Added bonus!  They actually answer phone calls and email - so call for 
answers!

Enjoy the new commute!

Whitney

ps - mine carries laptop *and* printer on some trips....


On 2/28/2012 10:37 AM, Devin wrote:



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Panniers

Devin — 2012-02-28T15:37:24

Heilsa fellow riders,
I recently started a new job that actually realizes it's employees are an
actual asset, which is great other than the large laptop I was given and
that leads to my question. I am using multi-modal transportation for
getting to work, which involves an 8-10 mile one-way commute by bike. I
used my messenger back yesterday and it was alright, but I am wanting to
try and ride the whole way from home and back this summer and cannot
imagine riding 40 miles with that bag, so I am looking for info on panniers
that folks use. My laptop has the following dimensions and I have increased
to nearest inch to allow for error.
16" L-R
12" front to back
2" tall/deep
I was looking at some Ortlieb bags online, but cannot figure if the max
size is at the widest point or at the narrowest point, which is at the
bottom and is typically where laptops have issues fitting.
Thanks,
Devin

New member of the list

Tom Armstrong — 2012-03-02T15:16:03

When I signed up for this list, I got the "introductory profile" that many of you received. I haven't gone back to see how many are on this list, nor how many have answered the profile questions, but thought I would just for the charge of it. I'll assume you know the questions, but will try to make those questions clear in my answers.


1) I have come to describing myself as a cyclist who sometimes drives. I have a car (small truck, actually), and find it useful from time to time (hauling the kayak to the lake, for example). As the thing was paid off in 2000 or so, the cost of owning it is relatively low, although the current cost per mile is relatively high due to the amortization of annual fixed costs over fewer miles of use.

2) I'm not sure there was a specific starting point for this. I've ridden to work at all but a couple of my jobs at one time or another, although riding to work was done rarely with some jobs and frequently with others.

3) I choose to ride instead of driving for any number of small reasons, but the largest one is that I like myself best when I ride instead of driving. The financial benefits are there, the health benefits are there, and the socio-political benefit (smug not smog) is there, but it really comes down to being happier with myself for riding instead of driving.

4) Distance to work is always a challenge, although I don't consider fifteen miles out of reason. Other hurdles to being car-free are my own hobbies, and the difficulty getting the toys to the play places (kayak to lake, for example). There have been many times when it's been too darned convenient to own a small truck.

5) My family and friends are accustomed to my being something of my own person, so my cycling instead of driving has little negative effect on them. For some, it's considered positive effect.

6) Advantages of not being tied to a car include, but are not limited to: I feel better! I don't have to worry as much about gas prices as a direct hit on my budget (although they certainly affect my food prices...). It's less expensive to insure my car since I rarely drive it. I don't have to pay for a gym membership to go for an aerobic workout.

7) I am quite comfortable helping friends and relatives "problem solve" when it comes to figuring ways they can reduce their reliance on cars. I don't make their choices for them, however. 


8) My daily commute takes about two hours of time, compared to roughly two-thirds that when I drive. I could, perhaps, use that time more wisely, but I choose to consider the extra time as time for my physical and mental well-being, and, as mentioned before, need not spend time in a gym to get the aerobic exercise.

9) The benefits are many--better emotional health, better physical health, better mood, better food (reallocating money saved by not using as much gasoline), friendships in the car-free and car-free light community, to name a few.

10) Ideally, cars are good for long-distance, non-scheduled transportation, or transportation for folks who have different abilities than those of us who are able-bodied. They can be useful, of course. However, for shorter-range, solo transportation without significant cargo requirements, bicycles rock. 



I come to this as a bicycle user. Public transit is wonderful for many folks, but *for me* doesn't compare with the convenience and time efficiency of a bicycle (noting that public transit in your area may be much better than it is in my community). I *can* walk to several places that I need to visit, but it's easier to get there by bicycle in many cases, and just as quick as by driving in quite a few more cases (I'm a fan of the concept of the Clif Bar 2 mile challenge). 


In the last two years, I've ridden over thirteen thousand miles on bicycles. For 2011, my commuting miles totaled a bit over 5500, my utility miles went a bit over 7000, and my total miles came to a bit more than 8000. I was, for several years, a one-thousand-miles-a-year cyclist. Riding instead of driving has really changed that.

Thoughts?

 
Tom, aka bikeolounger




"If I can bicycle, I bicycle."
Sir David Attenborough

----- Forwarded Message -----
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To: bikeolounger-/E1597aS9LQAvxtiuMwx3w< at >public.gmane.org 
Sent: Friday, March 2, 2012 9:38 AM
Subject: Yahoo! Groups: Welcome to CarFree. Visit today! 

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Man Bites Car

Jym Dyer — 2012-02-24T17:47:05

=v= "Man Bites Dog" isn't even news any more:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/man-bites-car-bath-salts-blame/story?id=15777655

    <_Jym_>

PETITION: Stop forcing the Lorax to sell SUVs

Jym Dyer — 2012-02-24T17:41:33

=v= The movie Lorax is already starring in a computer-animated
commercial for a greenwashed SUV:

http://www.change.org/petitions/mazda-stop-forcing-the-lorax-to-sell-dangerous-polluting-cars

    <_Jym_>

fuel tax for buses

Simon Norton — 2012-02-21T21:29:42

When I saw the last posting, at first I misread it as proclaiming the good news
that buses would no longer have to pay fuel tax.

What is the situation regarding this in the US ? In the UK we used to have
something called Fuel Duty Rebate whereby bus operators would get most of the
fuel tax they paid in respect of public service workings rebated. In the mid
1990s the Conservative government introduced a fuel tax escalator whereby fuel
tax would increase faster than inflation; however this increase was not rebated
to bus operators. This situation continued under the following Labour government
until they announced that any future fuel tax increases would be rebated.
Unfortunately it was at that precise moment that they abandoned the escalator so
there were no increases to rebate.

Some time later they replaced Fuel Duty Rebate with Bus Service Operators Grant,
which had the subtle effect of changing its accounting from a tax rebate to a
subsidy. This had insidious effects when the Conservatives regained power, as
they are allergic to subsidies and promptly announced that it would be cut from
80% of fuel tax to 60%, i.e. an effective doubling of fuel tax, this to take
effect from this coming April. They seem to believe that this will have no
adverse impact on services -- well it's a trait of politicians to believe one
can get something for nothing.

I think I've for this right, but if anyone in this group knows better please
feel free to correct me. And there may be differences outside England, i.e. in
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, though it was recently announced that
Wales has decided to follow England's lead.

 Simon Norton

DOT announces second round Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative grant opportunity

jonathan st. thomas — 2012-02-14T15:40:09

sent by jonathan st.thomas
----- Forwarded Message -----

From: United We Ride <usdotuwr-j67Id08r2LMdvzyIwGCCOg< at >public.gmane.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 4:37 PM
Subject: DOT announces second round Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative grant opportunity

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the availability of approximately $30 million to create or increase access to local and regional transportation resources that veterans and military families depend on to get to work, school and other destinations. The transit funding would boost access to jobs and training that Americas service members need and deserve.
"In his State of the Union address, President Obama rightfully noted that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world, said Secretary LaHood. "As tens of thousands of our military personnel return home, we must reward their sacrifices and those of their families with the services they need to more seamlessly reintegrate into their communities as quickly as possible. This investment helps to do that, and it serves as one small thank-you for their honorable service.

The previous round of Veterans Transportation and Community Living grants, announced in November 2011, provided $34.6 million for 55 projects in 32 states and Guam. Demand for the program was strong, with the Department receiving 70 eligible proposals seeking $52 million in funding requests to create one-call, one-click transportation resource centers around the United States last year.

The second round of Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative grants, funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will continue to help states and communities build or expand one-click, one-call centers that offer comprehensive information on local transportation options and other community services, with just a single phone call or click of the mouse.

The President asked that we do all that we can to support those who have served our country, and we are answering his challenge, said Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff. We must ensure that our nations veterans and their families are able to connect to jobs, school, work and medical appointments wherever they liveand improving access to reliable, affordable transportation is key to helping them do so.

The notice of funding availability for the programs second round of grants is published today in the Federal Register (http://1.usa.gov/zYAEzx). Proposals are due on April 19, 2012. A list of the projects that have already been funded under the previous round is available here.

The Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative is led by the federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility, a permanent partnership of federal departments working together to better coordinate federal programs on behalf of people with disabilities, the elderly and low-income individuals. The Council is chaired by Secretary LaHood.

Additional information on the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative, including how to apply, is available at www.fta.dot.gov/veterans.

This service is provided to you at no charge by United We Ride. Visit us on the web at http://www.unitedweride.gov/. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support-j67Id08r2LMdvzyIwGCCOg< at >public.gmane.org for assistance.

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Wow.....I go away for fivish years and.......

traci — 2012-02-16T09:17:55

.....................the place practically evaporates!

Mind you, of course, I'm not saying I was ever the life of the party.
______________________________________

-Traci
("The minute I go away everything goes kaplot!"--Siegfried and when Shtarker points out that he was here all the time, "You're not making it any easier on yourself, Shtarker.", (w,stte), "Get Smart")

SFC\Boulders slide down Telegraph Hill, crush car

Jym Dyer — 2012-01-23T20:30:25

=v= I guess San Francisco didn't get Mother Nature's hint when
she knocked down some freeways, so she's giving us a reminder.
    <_Jym_>

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/23/BA221MT8PV.DTL

Boulders slide down Telegraph Hill, crush car
Will Kane, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, 23-Jan-2012 | San Francisco Chronicle

(01-23) 11:57 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- City officials have
temporarily evacuated a condominium building at the base of
San Francisco's Telegraph Hill after several boulders slid
down the hill and crushed a parked car, authorities said.

The boulders, apparently loosened by the weekend rain, slid down
the hill near Lombard and Montgomery streets around 9:30 a.m.,
officials said. No one was hurt.

The bottom floors of a multistory condo complex at 240 Lombard
St. next to the hill has been evacuated while engineers from the
city determine if any more boulders could fall, officials said.

The car that was crushed was owned by a security guard for the
complex, said Jon Golinger, head of the Telegraph Hill Dwellers
Association, a neighborhood group.

"It is unfortunate he lost his car, but it sounds like he
protected this building," Golinger said. "If the car hadn't
been there, the rocks might have rammed the first unit of the
building."

Some of the boulders are "as large a person," Golinger said.

Crews with the city Department of Public Works will evaluate the
hill and remove the boulders, said Mindy Linetzky, a spokeswoman
for the agency.

La autopista del Sur

Jym Dyer — 2012-01-09T17:30:19

=v= Jen-Luc Godard's 1967 film _Week_End_ was at a moviehouse
this weekend, and had no idea what I was getting into.  In the
first few minutes of the film there is road rage (well, parking
lot rage), and in short order we're in the road film from Hell.
After another parking lot altercation, we find ourselves in a
remarkable 8-minute tracking shot of a traffic jam on a highway
out of Paris.  Of course it's online:

http://fan.tcm.com/_Week-End-1967-Jean-Luc-Godard-Tracking-Shot/video/1578921/66470.html

Notice the honking and anger every step of the way.

=v= Things aren't much better when our protagonists get their
car rolling at higher speeds, of course; there are smashed-up
cars and cartoonishly bloody bodies alongside every country
road.  A bicyclist is run off the road, then a car in exactly
the same manner, and then of course a pedestrian.  A collision
between a sports car and tractor prompts a heated argument
about class war.

=v= A guerrilla band arrives about 2/3rds of the way into the
film and dynamites a car, but alas, the revolution (and the
film) goes awry when it loses sight of its core values.  The
guerillas apparently there to make some kind of statement
about the collapse of bourgeois civiliation (I use the b-word
advisedly, because after this film, Godard devoted his career
to Marxism).  The revolutionaries descend into cruelty and
barbarism, less cartoonish and more shocking -- a dull-witted
writeup in the _SF_Weekly_ links this to Occupy Wall Street for
no discerniblereason -- and we move from cars to cannibalism
and guns.  Alas.

=v= Even so, overall, a satisfying look at car culture and
its discontents.  Two carfree thumbs up!
    <_Jym_>

Trying to get Car Free and need some help please

josephfloyd_zerowaste — 2012-01-06T20:35:26

Please go to the site below, vote for me (Joseph Floyd, Zero Waste Coordinator), and share this on your wall. My beautiful wife entered me in a contest for a Yuba Mundo cargo bike that will allow me to carry 440 lbs plus me without the CO2 emissions of a car. Thanks in advance and thank your friends for me too!! :) http://wfi.re/f4hdv


Sincerely,
Joseph Floyd

LA-TIMES\'Green burial' for cyclist, environmentalist

Jym Dyer — 2012-01-06T03:52:21

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-green-burial-20120101,0,3811532.story

=v= He was killed by a car.  Of course.
    <_Jym_>