MetaFilter posts tagged with biking

Small World After All?

Xurando — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:50:34 -0800

The circumnavigators are out there. In February, Mike Beaumont completed the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle. Tomorrow, Rosie Swale, age 62, finishes her 4 1/2 year run around the world. As posted previously, Zac Sunderland is now attempting to break the record for the youngest sailing circumnavigation of the planet, now held by Jesse Martin.

Wheels on fire, rolling down the road...

Blazecock Pileon — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:12:40 -0800

From New York City to Seattle, Critical Mass cyclists are not having a good week. In Seattle, some question the motivations of Critical Mass, some report conflicting stories, while others suggest foul play.

Nosed me in the fist, assed me in the boot, then hit my car door with his torso

anthill — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:49:57 -0800

Another one bites the dust, and Canada's largest city reaches its yearly average cyclist fatality tally, less than half-way through 2008. While Toronto is a moderately bike friendly place, its 2001 plan to join up 1074km of city bikeways within 10 years seems to have fallen flat (as have the city coroner's cycling safety recommendations). Could this be the first opportunity for the newborn Toronto Cyclists' Union to make a mark? Will a Canadian city ever join the world's best? Ah well, let's just go for a ride. In Quebec. Urban cycling quote of the week, from a Sargent of the Toronto P.D.: "If she didn’t look [before opening her car door into traffic], would that be negligence? It’d be very hard to label that as negligent."

Bikes + GPS + Geeks = MTBGuru

fenriq — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:13:24 -0800

MTBGuru is a new site that enables bikers, hikers and runners to upload GPS info, along with photos and comments, from their routes that get mashed up with Google Maps to create an ever-expanding trail resource. Mostly Bay Area now but that is changing.

"Hey, don't they know they can drive up?"

breezeway — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:10:20 -0800

The Formosan Fat Tire Association allows us to see a side of Taiwan that often can't be seen from the roads.

Peace, Love and Bicycles = Getting Arrested

Glibaudio — Sat, 30 Oct 2004 11:15:11 -0800

NYC Critical Mass ride dampened by heavy police presence Critical Mass, A peaceful demonstration that takes place on the last friday of the month at hundreds of cities around the world. The gathering of hundreds to thousands of cyclists to stress the importance of nonpolluting transportation alternatives and promote the cycling community. Last night's critical mass was faced with a very heavy police presence (including 3 helicopters that followed the cyclists on the route). I was there and the police were peaceful, but perhaps necessary and the helicopters were just intimidating. The whole aura assumed there was going to be some type of crime. There type of people that take part in Critical Mass are generally the opposite of violent. It felt violating to be followed around, by not one, but three helicopters and hundreds of officers on scooters. The Critical Mass was being treated as if we just shot up a building or robbed a bank. The whole thing was stupid, and people got arrested for stupid reasons. Thanks NYPD the Judge said we could be there. 33, 47, whatever, it was too many.

A kinder, gentler Critical Mass

Ufez Jones — Tue, 18 May 2004 22:09:04 -0800

Tonight (or tomorrow night, ymmv) marks the 2nd Annual Ride of Silence, a solemn testament to those that have been injured or killed while biking on the roads. Begun last year in Dallas in tribute to local ultramarathoner Larry Schwartz, it began as a one-time tribute. Apparently, there was enough National interest to make this an annual event, and this year more than 50 cities in the U.S. and Canada are participating.

James Stewart

WLW — Fri, 02 Apr 2004 16:55:27 -0800

Suzuki buys a MX title and Michael Jordans prodigy, James Stewart, is going to do to Supercross, what Tiger did for golf.

Bike to Work Week/Day

john m — Wed, 14 May 2003 16:06:36 -0800

Once again its Bike to Work Week (now) and Day (tomorrow). There are at least 40 reasons to ride to work. Obviously, riding a bicycle is good in many ways. This isn't just for out of shape Americans, either. Will you be out there on a bike tomorrow?

stupidsexyFlanders — Tue, 10 Sep 2002 14:04:25 -0800

One Less Tourbus. Singer/songwriters tearing down the Oil Economy one gig at a time. Next time you're at a show and the musicians are all winded and sweaty before they even start, this is why.

sandor — Wed, 05 Dec 2001 16:52:28 -0800

A particularly chilling case of road rage has been the focus of the Chicago biking community for the past couple of years. Yesterday, the jury came down with a first-degree murder verdict for Carnell Fitzpatrick, who, in April of 1999, deliberately drove down and killed bike messenger Tom McBride after an altercation at a stoplight.

The rights of bicyclists in urban areas has always been a contentious issue. Because of this verdict, drivers will no doubtedly show more restraint in taking their anger out on street cyclists, though likely more out of fear than respect. While I'm happy to see a victory for the cyclists, it's that last part that worries me.