When I attempted just now to post a notice of my new article in the
Los Angeles Business Journal to Bicycle Fixation's nascent Facebook
page, I was slapped with a window claiming that the "content in [my]
post was offensive to Facebook users," and that I could not post there.

Well, it's within Facebook's rights to censor what is said in its
private space, and it's within my rights not to use that space--
presented as a sort of forum, after all--under those conditions. So I
have deleted the Bicycle Fixation Facebook page.

Our Twitter ( http://twitter.com/bicyclefixation ) account is still
open, of course, and going well, with hundreds of followers, and
there is still the blog, as well as the announcement list ( http://
groups.yahoo.com/group/bicycle-fixation-announce/ ) hosted by
Yahoogroups. So you still have plenty of ways to keep up with Bicycle
Fixation news!

Meanwhile, here's the notice that caused the problem: the Los Angeles
Business Journal has published another editorial of mine, this one on
the economics of bicycle infrastructure in general, and in particular
on the benefits of a "bicycle boulevard" treatment of a section of
4th Street here in LA. To read it, go to:

http://tinyurl.com/ydufh9d

Thanks,

Rick

--
Richard Risemberg
http://www.bicyclefixation.com
http://www.newcolonist.com
http://www.rickrise.com

A quote:

> The urban transportation study says encouraging more walking and
> cycling would have big benefits for both health and the climate. It
> compared different transportation scenarios for London and Delhi.
> Walking and cycling came out on top even when compared to increased
> use of low-emission vehicles that are widely touted as "green"
> solutions.
>

A link:

http://tr.im/FO1i

Rick
--
Richard Risemberg
http://www.bicyclefixation.com
http://www.newcolonist.com
http://www.rickrise.com

Commercial Plug Alert!

Well, we finally grabbed our folding dolly and hopped on the downtown
bus to pick up the Four Season Jersey/Ninja Road Warrior Hoodie order
at the factory. (And we really do have to get a bike trailer!)

So they're here, they're beautiful, and they're in limited supply--
these are not easy to sew, and we have to import the 100% merino wool
ourselves from New Zealand, so this batch will be all we've got till
next year.

We've made a couple of small changes: a slightly longer sleeve, for
better wrist coverage when riding, a slightly shorter tail, for
better off-bike aesthetics (without compromising coverage in back).
The same eminently-comfortable merino rib, the same elegant charcoal
and visible yet never garish burnt orange colors. Made to fit
closely, so if you're a big or tall medium go for a large, etc. Slim
folks of average height, get your t-shirt size.

Good top for any season (hence the name): by itself in warm weather,
over a light t-shirt in spring or fall, or as a base layer for deep
winter riding (or skiing). Zips up to your eyeballs for when the snow
flies, and has a double-layer neck! Yet the hood buttons back for
more moderate chill, and drapes nicely down the back if you don't
need it at all. Many customers report having worn theirs during some
part of the day for the entire year since they got it!

Get them while you can at Bicycle Fixation:
http://bicyclefixation.com/prod_4seasonjersey.html

And US shipping is free till December 15th!

Thanks,

Rick
--
Richard Risemberg
Bicycle Fixation
http://www.bicyclefixation.com
http://www.twitter.com/bicyclefixation

Beautiful example of not "complete thinking"!

This Federal Transit Document proposes changing guidelines in order
to increase the funding allocated to pedestrian and bicycle
infrastructure that serves the catchment area of a bus or train stop,
and posits that the present definition of "catchment area" should be
expanded.

This would definitely be a way to get more money for effective bike &
ped facilities, and we should all read this closely.

Some quotes:

> The success of public transportation can be limited by the problem
> of the "first and last mile.’’ One of ‘‘the best present options
> for solving the first and last mile dilemma are ... bicycles.
(Andrea White-Kjoss)

> Whether used for longer trips to access amenities outside the
> walkable radius of a public transportation station, or whether they
> enable direct access to a public transportation facility, bicycle
> amenities play an important role in encouraging public
> transportation use by providing riders with greater opportunities,
> choice, flexibility and safety for reaching their final destinations.

> a bike-on-bus demonstration program in Phoenix, Arizona that led to
> over 1,400 new public transportation riders per month.

And perhaps most important in terms of actually getting
infrastructure put in:
> Studies suggest that developments that incorporate bicycling and
> walking infrastructure in proximity with public transportation can
> reduce fiscal outlays of local municipalities towards roads and
> other infrastructure expansion by twenty-five percent.
(TCRP Report 102: Transit-Oriented Development in the United States:
Experiences, Challenges, and Prospects, Transportation Research
Board, 2004)

The report:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27240.pdf

Rick
--
Richard Risemberg
http://www.bicyclefixation.com
http://www.newcolonist.com
http://www.rickrise.com

"Many inside the organisation believe that maintaining oil supplies at even 90m to 95m barrels a day would be impossible but there are fears that panic could spread on the financial markets if the figures were brought down further. And the Americans fear the end of oil supremacy because it would threaten their power over access to oil resources," he added.

A second senior IEA source, who has now left but was also unwilling to give his name, said a key rule at the organisation was that it was "imperative not to anger the Americans" but the fact was that there was not as much oil in the world as had been admitted. "We have [already] entered the 'peak oil' zone. I think that the situation is really bad," he added.

From the Los angeles times: "Snubbed by Ford, start-up had a better
idea for its stainless steel"

Article: http://tinyurl.com/steelisreal

The company, KVA Stainless, lost it's contract with Ford, so turned
right around and started making tubing for bike frames.

Rick
--
Richard Risemberg
http://www.bicyclefixation.com
http://www.newcolonist.com
http://www.rickrise.com