"Okies" are not as backward as some might think...

Oklahoma Passes Strong New Bike Law

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed a powerful new bicycle law on Friday, May 19, 2005.

The law:
1. Re-defines 'bicycle' for the purposes of the state's vehicle code, eliminating restricting wheel sizes and configurations
2. Eliminates confusing language as to where bicyclists should ride on the road
3. Eliminates the state mandate to ride on sidepaths/sidewalks
4. Eliminates the mandatory side light requirement for bicycles (not reflection)
5. Establishes a minimum safe-passing distance of three feet and sets up fines (in addition to other citations and penalties for manslaughter, improper use of a motor vehicle, etc.) for a motorist who injures or kills a cyclist.

Oklahoma is now the third state to have a safe-passing law and the second to back it up with specific fines. Arizona and Utah are the other states with safe-passing laws, with Arizona having specific fines. Advocates in other states can now use Oklahoma's law for legal precedence to aid them in their work.

The law was passed with the help of a strong push from the Oklahoma Bicycle Coalition.

Are you brave (or daring) enough?

Dateline: Madrid - June 12, 2006

THOUSANDS of nude cyclists pedalled around some of the world's cities this weekend to protest against car-clogged streets and demand greater respect.

With slogans such as "one car less" and "bio methanol" painted on their backs, the naked cyclists staged Spain's third annual Ciclonudista, or "Nudecycle" in Madrid, Barcelona and Pamplona.

The protest was part of worldwide naked bike events on Saturday across Europe, North America and South America. Mexico City and Ottawa also staged big turnouts.

"We feel naked when up against traffic because people don't see the bicycle as just another means of transport," said Madrid cyclist Ramon Linaza.

Towing cardboard cars with gaping jaws, protesters said the rapid rise of car ownership in Spain was turning city streets into ever more hostile and dangerous cycling territory.

Organisers said the bicycle was a healthy and efficient form of transport largely ignored by drivers and city planners.

Naked bike riders brought smiles to Britain on Saturday as World Naked Bike Ride day was marked in cities across Britain to celebrate sustainable transport and the human body.

The London event attracted about 1000 people. Organiser Nick Sayers said: "It brought smiles to Londoners' faces, which you don't often see."

In Brighton, 200 cyclists covered up for fear of being arrested by watchful police. Several got round the no-nudity rule by dressing creatively. Some men wore a sock — but not on their feet.

Mr Sayers said he was planning to make a Freedom of Information request to Sussex Police to find out why they ordered a cover-up.

"It was a celebration of cycling and the human body and a demonstration of the vulnerability of cyclists," he said.

He said the Government should take note of the environmental benefits of cycling because it was a form of transport that was human-powered.

Sussex police said no arrests had been made in Brighton for public nudity.

Several hundred cyclists turned out in Manchester, and about 70 in York.

PA, REUTERS

More Tucson Bicycle Routes

Found some more routes for riding around Tucson. I haven't ridden the' MegaHurtz' rides yet, but the GABA rides are very nice, ride leaders knowledgeable and helpful and the directions are quite accurate.

The MegaHurtz Rides and Maps

33 road rides through and around greater Tucson. Compiled, mapped and documented by Jonathan C. Forster at the University of Arizona. Great resource!

• Visit the MegaHurtz Rides page

GABA Rides and Maps

10 road rides through and around greater Tucson. Compiled by the good folks at GABA. Enjoy.

• Visit the GABA local rides page

Don't know if you have seen this one yet but it is a sweet bike, if you are into status symbols (I'm not)...

The first carbon racing bike from Mercedes-Benz

First posted on April 6, 2006 - Mercedes Benz currently uses carbon fibre in just one of its products – the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the world’s first production car with a bodyshell made entirely of carbon fibre. Carbon fibre is also used extensively in the McLaren Mercedes F1 cars of Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya. And later this month a second Mercedes-Benz product will be available that is constructed mainly of carbon fibre – the Carbon Bike, the new flagship human-powered Merc. Thanks to its ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre frame, this US$3665 thoroughbred weighs in at a mere 8.3 kilograms. ..

It is a sad day for bicyclists on Tucson's East side.

The National Park Service begins the job of "rehabilitating" (the NPS term, not mine) the 8.4-mile Cactus Forest Drive at Saguaro National Park – East.

Construction will begin today, May15th, and is estimated to conclude no later than September 30th.

The Cactus Forest Drive and Javelina Picnic Area will be closed to all visitor access, including cars, bicyclists and pedestrians, during the project.

At the same time all trails within the interior of the Cactus Forest Loop Drive, along with the Freeman Homestead Trail, will be closed. The project will include rehabilitation of the asphalt pavement, correction of drainage problems and improving and formalizing roadside parking along Cactus Forest Drive and Javelina Picnic Area. In addition, twelve new wayside interpretive exhibits will be installed.

There is plans to change portions of the trail outright, and re-work some existing area, either way, No more riding the "East Loop" until late this fall....

The NPS website for Saguaro Ease states, "Although there will be a short term loss of recreational opportunity, the project will significantly improve the visitor experience on Cactus Forest Drive in the long term, and will enhance opportunities to experience the beauty and character of our Sonoran Desert. Prior to the project, park crews will salvage numerous ocotillos and cacti of varying species from the road’s edge that would otherwise be impacted by construction activities. Once construction is complete, roadside areas will be rehabilitated and revegatated with native grasses and desert shrubs. Only two saguaro cacti will be impacted, and they will be immediately relocated prior to the start of construction. During the project, trail access from Speedway Boulevard, Broadway Boulevard and Camino Loma Alta will remain open. The park’s Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) will be fully open throughout this construction project. For more information please contact the park’s facility manager, Barney Riley, at (520) 733-5140"