Are you tired of seeing cars parked in your bike lanes? As much fun as it might be to exercise a little U-lock justice, nothing good comes from vandalism. At least we have the ability to document these parking infractions at www.mybikelane.com. While it’s not likely to bring about a whole lot of instant gratification, the statistics generated by this site could prove useful in persuading authorities to crack down on illegally parked vehicles.

A recent article in the New York Times deals with the changes in car buying choices by American consumers now that gas has hit $4 a gallon. Many of us in bicycle advocacy wondered where the “tipping point” would be for people to start making lifestyle and transportation choice changes. Looks like $4/gallon is the answer.

Several interesting tidbits from the article include the fact that compact and fuel-efficient cars such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla now outsell the Ford F-Series trucks, which until last year had been the best selling vehicles in the country since the early 1990s. Additionally, General Motors is now considering selling off the Hummer brand as according to Rick Wagoner, GM’s chairman, the move towards more efficient cars he believes is, “by and large permanent.”

What do you think? How many of you are bicycling more now that gas has doubled in price in two years?

I had one of those moments a few days ago. You know the kind - when you’ve just seen something so wonderful that you had do to a double-take just to make sure that you were seeing correctly. I was (driving) down Highway 1 in Pacifica, California when I spotted this guy. I pulled over at the next intersection and waited for him to catch up. Turns out that he was cycling from Oakland to Santa Cruz to deliver a the bike that you see  :: mounted on a bike rack/tray on the side of the bike :: to a buddy. This guy is a mechanic at an Oakland shop, and apparently knows the Broakland Bicycle guys. The distance from Oakland to Santa Cruz is a healthy 70-75 miles - almost all of it in traffic.

Check out this guy’s bike: coffee cup on seat post, fenders, lights, Xtracycle attachment , front basket. If you look closely, you’ll also see panniers.

:: Cue George Thorogood ::

There’s nothing like a good protest ride. And while the Urban Advocate can’t condone any breaking of traffic laws, I though you might find the following interesting. From a recent posting on a listserve dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian professionals:

Last Friday a group of some 30 bicyclists protested cars and rode their bikes on the Santa Monica and San Diego Freeways in Los Angeles.  A couple clips were posted on You Tube. Look how much faster they’re going than the cars!

Our friends at Bike Pittsburgh have just unveiled their first-of-a-kind online bike map. In addition to all of the resources on the print map, the online version contains lots of new information laid over a Google Map. They’ve added information about crossing bridges, an expanded notes and landmarks section, the opportunity to view the routes in terrain and satellite mode, and user-submitted crash information.

The latter is useful to cyclists so that we can track patterns, learn from others, and communicate about problem areas. Interestingly, the crash information has been the subject of some debate. On one hand it stands to reason that crash info would alert cyclists to dangerous areas and encourage activists to be vocal about safety. On the downside, it reinforces the notion that cycling is dangerous and thus discourages would-be cyclists.

Welcome to the first posting of the Urban Advocate. Urban Velo is always looking for more ways to connect and serve our readers – and we think that a regularly updated column for all things advocacy related is just the ticket. At least for some of you. And who knows? The rest of you who don’t find bicycle advocacy as thrilling as I do may one day find yourself checking this column on a regular basis.

So here’s what to expect: a little bit of everything.

The truth is that there are lots of really good bicycle advocacy organizations out there. I’ve worked with a good number of them here in the United States. I know that many of you are already connecting with your local or state groups – even some at the national level – on a regular basis. But what we think is missing is a forum for the “everyday people” who might have questions, concerns or ideas relating to bicycle advocacy.

That’s where you come in.

Send us questions, suggestions for topics, cool links and stories – you name it. We’ll answer and post as much of it as we can. The column will be updated every few days with fresh content.

Here’s my first thought to get things going:

Where do bicycle advocates come from, and where do we find the passion and strength to keep fighting even when we know that the road ahead is long, steep, and full of potholes?

Share your thoughts and experiences with us! We’ll publish as much of your story as we can.

You can always reach the Urban Advocate via email at: advocacy@urbanvelo.org.

Four communities across the US are spending $100 million over four years to build and promote bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Click here to read Bicyclists - The Future is Now by David Hoffman.

If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve had your share of close encounters with the automobile kind. Most states in the US have laws on the books that not only give cyclists full rights to the road, but say automobiles have to pass cyclists at a safe distance. That distance is typically three feet or more. Most of us just chalk up such close calls to life as an urban cyclist. But most of us are not Jeff Frings.

Jeff is an ordinary cyclist like you or I, but he’s absolutely sick of being treated unfairly on the roadways. In his experience it’s not just everyday motorists who put cyclists at risk, it’s municipal workers and even police officers. Rather than go off the deep end and start carrying around a handgun, Jeff mounted a couple video cameras to his bike and put together a blog. He’s been successful in getting the authorities to issue motorists a number of reprimands and traffic citations, and his blog has recently gained national attention thanks to an article in Velo News. Check out bikesafer.blogspot.com for more information.

Earlier this month more than 500 advocates and industry folks attended the League of American Bicyclists 2008 National Bike Summit. Now that people are back staffing their shops, evaluating local projects, or busily machining new widgets, how will the 2008 Summit affect both those who attended, as well as people like you? We thought you would never ask…

More Industry Attendees Signals Shift In Industry Focus
For years, advocates and a select number of industry insiders have felt that bicycling in this country would benefit from increased support from bike manufacturers, distributors, and shops. There has been a recent shift towards bikes designed for commuting and urban riding, as evidenced at last year’s Interbike Show in Las Vegas. Companies such as Planet Bike have been funding advocacy efforts for years (25% of profits to advocacy) Now, industry giants such as Trek putting programs such as “1 World 2 Wheels” in to place in an effort to get more folks on bikes. There were a record number of shop owners, staffers and other industry people at this year’s Summit who are beginning to take advocacy efforts back to their own town, as well as learn about what is happening at the national level. The message: letting your local and national decision makers know that bicycling matters is good for everyone - and in the end, means more people on bikes, and more business for industry.

Preparing For Transportation Reauthorization
Every six years, the Federal Government passes a transportation bill (detailed here waaaay back in Urban Velo #1) which determines how much money will be allocated for among many things, bicycle and pedestrian projects. This bill is coming up for reauthorization in 2009, and a lot of the lobbying done on Capitol Hill at the 2008 Summit was designed to ensure that Congress knows that bicyclists want an increased portion of the funding pie. Currently, bicyclists AND pedestrians make up for about 1% of funding in the transportation bill. And while this may represent hundreds of millions of dollars - spread over six years and 50 states - the actual funds available to implement local projects is mighty thin, indeed.

The Times They Are A-Changin’
Interest in bicycling as a “real” alternative to driving looked ever-so-much-sweeter to members of Congress in light of $100/barrel oil and post-Inconvenient Truth Oscars. While in the words of the late Rodney Dangerfield, for the most part, cyclists “can’t get no respect,” we’re starting to look like a good platform for decision makers to stand on. If you hadn’t already heard, there is a station in California selling gas for more than $5.00 a gallon - $5.20 for regular, and $5.40 for the high-test stuff.

Booya Blumenauer!
The Summit Opening Keynote Speaker, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), rallied troops bright and early on the first day of the Summit, as well as the morning of congressional lobbying. Though technically not part of the Summit, Congressman Blumenauer gave a speech before Congress just before the Summit detailing the things that we as cyclists already know, and that those in power must know. Congressman Blumenauer is a champion of the bicycle, helping propel Portland forward as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country, as well as heading up the Bike Caucus. Congressman Blumenauer is noted within Washington, D.C. for frequently showing up to meetings with his right pant leg still in a bike strap, as he rides his bike as a primary mode of transportation in D.C. Bike Pittsburgh captured a copy of the speech for you if you’re so inclined.

Special thanks to ace Urban Velo contributor David Hoffman for this wrap-up of the 2008 National Bike Summit.

Click here to read License to Ride by David Hoffman.