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UM bike program helps good cause

UM bike program helps good cause

Posted: Feb 4, 2009 08:50 AM

Updated: Feb 4, 2009 10:29 AM

Reporting from KPAX in Missoula

A new program at the University of Montana is now providing students with the chance to '"think globally" by "riding locally".

Students who are tired of paying for gas, waiting for the bus or walking can use the Semester Bikes program, which is designed so students can rent a Kona Africa-bike for $30 for the entire semester.

UM's Office of Transportation says there are 15 bikes that are sturdy and low-maintenance.

The rentals also help rural health care workers in Africa as for every two Africa Bikes purchased, Kona donates one to rural health care workers in Africa, who use the bikes to deliver anti-retro-viral drugs to patients with HIV or AIDS.

Missoula Bicycle Works helped to purchase and assemble the bikes.

CICLE Opening Bike Community Center in Northeast L.A.

Cyclists Inciting Change thru LIVE Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.) has been busy under new executive director Liz Elliott having organized more rides and events than before. However, they've saved some of the biggest news for the new year. Via press release:

Cyclists Inciting Change thru LIVE Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.) announced that it will begin plans for an innovative new Bicycle Community Center in North East Los Angeles, thanks to initial funding from New Belgium Brewing Company.The Bicycle Community Center will house an extensive bicycle education program, and provide a comprehensive set of resources that is sure to get more Los Angelenos riding their bikes for everyday transportation. Workshops will run the gamut, from teaching people to learn to ride for the very first time, to demonstrating working solutions that can haul a week's worth of groceries home by bike. The Center will also run the world's first Social Bike Business program which will manufacture affordable transportation bicycles and equip qualifying low-income individuals with a transportation bicycle and the training to help them meet with their transportation needs. Area residents will also benefit from job training programs and additional business opportunities created by the Center.
While funding from the New Belgium Brewing Company has made the Center's opening possible, C.I.C.L.E. still needs help to keep the center running.

Denver, Partners Announce Citywide Bicycle Sharing Program

Written by Cobb, Sue - Mayor's Office
Mayor John Hickenlooper and several community partners today announced plans for a citywide bike sharing program – Denver B-Cycle – that will make 500 bikes available to the public at 30 to 40 stations throughout the city beginning this summer. Denver will be one of the first cities nationwide to launch such a comprehensive, bike sharing program, which will be funded initially with a $1 million donation from the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee.
“The positive feedback we received from the bike sharing program during the 2008 Democratic National Convention was remarkable,” Hickenlooper said. “We are confident Denver B-cycle will prove equally popular while improving our fitness levels and our environment. Our 358 miles of bike routes and trails combined with our 300 days of sunshine make Denver the perfect city in which to launch this citywide bike sharing system.”
At today’s announcement, the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee presented a $1 million check to Denver Bike Sharing, the nonprofit that will manage the citywide bike-sharing program. “On behalf of the Executive Committee, we are pleased to be able to support the launch of a citywide bike sharing program,” said Elbra Wedgeworth, president of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee. “It’s an honor to help create such a meaningful legacy that will benefit the residents of Denver for many years to come.”
“This funding ensures a strong start to our citywide bike sharing program, and we are tremendously grateful to the Host Committee for their generosity and their vision,” Hickenlooper said.
The B-Cycle Citywide Bike Sharing Program will focus initially on the downtown Denver business district,University of Denver campus and adjacent neighborhoods. The bike stations will be situated in a 3- to 4-mile radius of downtown Denver and integrated with the existing multi-modal transit system, including the 16th StreetMall, Denver’s Union Station, Market Street Station and FasTracks. The program is expected to double in size to more than 1,000 bikes by Spring 2010.
Also today, Mayor Hickenlooper launched the Denver B-Cycle City Employee Bike Loaner Program, which will serve as a pilot program to the citywide bike sharing system. The employee project allows City employees to check out bicycles at the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Building for business or recreational use. The DenverB-cycle bike loaner pilot program provides an alternative transportation system that enables City employees to lead by example, supporting the goals of Greenprint Denver, the Living Streets Initiative and Denver’s Strategic Transportation Plan. Denver B-Cycle will establish an efficient, diverse and accessible transportation system that reduces traffic congestion, saves energy, improves air quality and encourages healthy routines.
Humana Inc. donated 30 bikes to the City as a legacy from the highly successful 2008 Democratic National Convention bicycle share program, as well as bike stations and wireless access cards. Any City and County ofDenver employee can view an online safety training presentation, sign a user agreement, and then check out a bike. Bikes must be returned to the same location by 10 a.m. the following business day.
Bicycle Village will provide bike maintenance services at no charge during the City Employee Bike Loaner Pilot Program. Many City agencies have also provided administrative support, supplies, safety equipment and maintenance to the program, including: Public Works, the Office of Economic Development, General Services’ Facilities Management, Denver Parks and Recreation, Environmental Health, Community Planning & Development, Denver’s Marketing Office, and Greenprint Denver.
Denver continues to make great strides in improving infrastructure for safe cycling. As the City implements the innovative Strategic Transportation Plan it completed last October, bike sharing will be integrated into the larger multi-modal transportation system, including buses and light rail, making Denver one of the most accessible downtown areas of any city in the U.S. Bike Sharing will support the long-term vision of Denver as a bicycle-friendly city and the use of bicycles as a meaningful transportation choice.
As part of the bicycling infrastructure improvements, the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District announced it has approved $50,000 for bicycle parking projects in the downtown area. This will include the installation of 75 to 100 racks, as well as matching funds for property owners that improve the bicycle parking facilities for their respective properties.
“We are excited to see the legacy of the bike sharing program that was so successful during the 2008 Democratic National Convention,” said Tamara Door, president & CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “As part of the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, we are committed to developing and improving downtown bicycle parking. This is an important step toward making Denver one of the top bicycle cities in the country.”-The Cherry Creek News-

Former dealership property sold to Electraped owner

By DAN FELDNER, Staff Writer, dfeldner@minotdailynews.com

POSTED: January 8, 2009

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The Alan Kurth building on Burdick Expressway has officially been sold to Duane Brekke, the owner of Electraped, an electric bicycle company that was leasing space in the building before the sale.

According to Alan Kurth, the former owner of the building, the sale was official on Tuesday.

Brekke said he had originally intended to only be in the building on a temporary basis, but he changed his mind after the smashing success of his new company.

A story published in the Dec. 4 edition of The Minot Daily News last year stated the Souris River Botanical Conservatory had purchased the property and planned to use it to house Don Vitko's cactus and succulent collection, among other things. This turned out to be premature.

Brekke also noted that a sale he is currently having only applies to a few of the electric bicycle models that will be discontinued, and has nothing to do with speculation the building had been sold to someone else, thus forcing him to clear out his inventory.

Kurth said talks regarding the building had been going back and forth for the past two years, but no deal was ever finalized.

He said he does wish a deal could have been made with the Minot Park District because of the building's location across Burdick Expressway from Roosevelt Park Zoo and Roosevelt Park. Kurth said he worked with the park district in the past to help out with overflow

parking for large events such as Fourth of July celebrations.

"I am disappointed that the park district didn't buy it," Kurth said, "because it is 2.5 acres right across from the park."

Kurth didn't want to speculate on why a deal couldn't be finalized with the conservatory when they thought they were so close, but did note that he is very confident Brekke will make a fine owner for the property.

"Brekke will be a good custodian of the property," Kurth said.

Mike Nilson, who co-chairs the conservatory's campaign executive committee, said financing had nothing to do with the conservatory's failed attempt to buy the property.

"Apparently Alan Kurth got a better offer," Nilson said. "We're disappointed. It's one of those things, I guess."

In the earlier story, conservatory officials said they were going to pay around $300,000 for the property. Kurth said it was listed at $400,000.

Kurth said his last signed offer from the conservatory ran out on Aug. 31 of last year, and he took the first offer after that date that could be finalized. He reiterated his wish that something could have been worked out with the park district, as well as his concerns about keeping the Don Vitko collection in Minot.

As for the conservatory's next move, Nilson said he's not sure what will happen next. A meeting was held Wednesday night to discuss the conservatory's options for a new location, but at the moment, things are up in the air.

"Right now we're kind of on hold," Nilson said.

Asked about concerns the Vitko collection might be moved to another city if a permanent home can't be found soon in Minot, Nilson said he simply didn't know, as he hadn't yet talked to Vitko about it.

New campus bike fleet hits Mississippi State streets today

Wednesday, 07 January 2009

Mississippi State students returning Wednesday today for spring semester classes should find the 832-acre campus a bit easier to traverse with the implementation of the university’s new bicycle fleet program. Ultimately to include 100 cruiser models, the maroon and white bikes currently are being strategically located at various locations. They are available to students, faculty and staff on a first-come basis beginning at 8 a.m. daily. Associate Dean of Students Thomas Bourgeois said the bicycles will feature an MSU logo, as well as a registration sticker and distinctive flag attached to the rear wheel to make them easily identifiable. The two-wheelers will be registered and maintained by the parking services department, which also is responsible for their redistribution around campus at the end of each day. University officials have called the new bicycle program “a natural fit” for the land-grant institution’s master plan that seeks, among other things, to ease vehicular congestion through a long-established shuttle system in collaboration with increased cycle and foot traffic. The plan also proposes construction of additional bike paths and the shift of motorized vehicle traffic away from the pedestrian-heavy center of campus. The bicycle program also promotes fitness and will help students make it to class quicker with student parking areas being designated only on the outskirts of campus, said Student Association President Braxton Coombs last fall when the program was being developed. Beyond campus, Starkville in Motion, a community organization that encourages cycling and walking, recently worked to secure funding for a 2.2-mile multi-use path to connect the university with the western part of the Oktibbeha County seat.

ElectraPed Dealer List & Map Now Online

Find out where you can buy the Wentz E-Bike by ElectraPed.

Velo Culture Opens in San Diego

South Park—If you haven’t driven past Juniper Street lately, now would be a good time. It seems like something new is opening every day, whether it’s a bike shop (Velo Culture) or eateries (El Camino and the upcoming Station Burger), the neighborhood is progressing without losing its independent, left-of-center vibe. And with tons of retail space available on Fern and 30th, we foresee more to come—recession be damned.

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Pedaling pays off

Beginning Jan. 1, employees who regularly use bicycles to get to and from work are eligible for a $20-a-month, tax-free reimbursement from the federal government through their employers for bicycle-related expenses.

“I think it’s a good first start,” said Gary MacFadden from the National Center for Biking and Walking. “We’re just trying to get the word out more.”

Employers can now deduct $20-per-employee from federal tax filings for every staff member who commutes to work regularly on a bicycle. In turn, each employee will be eligible for a $20-per-month credit on their paycheck.

Employees working for companies on board with the credit could reap an additional $240-per-year to pay for bicycle-related expenses, like new tires, chains and basic maintenance.

The Bicycle Commuter Act was included the $700 billion bailout package approved by Congress in October. It extends transportation benefits already in place for employers that set up car pools and other traffic-reducing measures.

But people are still getting wind of the new credit, and so, employees will likely have to pitch the program before it catches on, MacFadden said.

“I think this is going to take the commuter being aware of this,” MacFadden said.

It’s easy to rack up bicycle maintenance bills, MacFadden said. A new tire alone runs as much as $30. “It can go well over the $20 per month.”

A basic bicycle tune-up at Summit Bike & Ski runs $59. And so, while it’s debatable whether the credit will lure folks onto two wheels, it will cover a chunk of basic yearly maintenance costs, said Steve Apple from Summit.

Business at Summit has risen steadily during the past three years, Apple said. And while every incentive helps, he’s unsure whether the credit will get more people on bikes.

“People are already beginning to think differently about the way they get around,” Apple said. “I see biking continuing to grow, regardless of a tax break.”

Even so, the credit is a good start toward getting people out of their cars and onto bicycles, MacFadden said. And in communities like Bozeman that lean toward healthy commuting options already, the program will likely spread, he said.

“I think the communities are going to jump on this,” he said. “This is a program that doesn’t cost them anything.”

But it could take a little time for folks to catch on.

“The program sounds like a great opportunity,” said Sally Beitman, from Zoot Enterprises, which provides technological assistance to the national banking industry and employs 245 people. “We look forward to looking into it further.”

Even though “Zooters” must navigate major thoroughfares like Jackrabbit and Huffine lanes to get to work, a few employees already bike to work consistently, she said.

“We do, surprisingly, have quite a few people who bike ride,” she said.

As folks become increasingly aware of environmental challenges associated with automobiles and the benefits of bicycle riding, they will continue to look toward two-wheeled options, with or without a tax incentive, Apple said.

“Twenty dollars or not, it’s a really fun way to get around,” he said.

Jessica Mayrer can be reached at jmayrer@dailychronicle.com or 582-2635.

Electraped.com

Electric-bike sharing can get rolling with $35K investment, city is told

If Tucson invests $35,000 to start an electric bike-sharing program, it could take some cars off the road.

US e-Bike Market Takes Off

NEW YORK, US – Amidst the financial crisis the US bike market and in particular the e-Bike segment is doing business very well. Reports say that the number of e-bikes sold in the U.S. is expected to reach a record 170,000 units this year as big retailers get in on this fast growing market.

ElectraPed

Electraped is the official distributor of the Wentz E-Bike, one of the most innovative green forms of electric bicycle transportation today.