Bicycle Bus Time Lapse Video

The making of the Bicycle Bus.  3 days, 12 gallons of paint, and about 75 volunteer painters ...

Artist Andee Rudloff leads a group of community volunteers in the painting of Green Fleet's newest addition - the Bicycle Bus!

Mural Design and Facilitation - Andee Rudloff www.chicnhair.com

Green Fleet Bicycle Tours - Nashville, TN www.greenfleethub.com

Still and Timelapse Photography Stacey Irvin www.staceyirvin.com Video Editing

Allie Sultan - Green Scoot Films www.greenscootfilms.com

Music by Austin Bauman and Michael Krewson

Special thanks to: Our Kickstarter Backers!

Bicycle Bus Project

We start painting today.  I just wanted to post some background info from our Bicycle Bus Kickstarter for anyone that needs a run down, and a few pictures of the work done so far:

What is the Bicycle Bus? 

"A community mural on a school bus-turned-downtown bicycle hub. To inspire: just as art is for everyone, bikes are for everyone too."

The bicycle bus is a collaborative art project between local artist Andee Rudloff, Green Fleet Bicycle Tours & Rentals, the Metro Parks Department, and the Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville.

The idea is to transform a school bus into a community mural called the Bicycle Bus. The bus, a 1995 Genesis, is currently being turned into a mobile bicycle rental facility that will park each day underneath the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge. 

The space underneath the Pedestrian Bridge was previously vacant and underutilized. Green Fleet Bicycle Tours & Rentals has partnered with Metro Parks Department to transform the space into a destination for people who want to explore Nashville by bike. 

The finished bus will have hardwood floors, retail displays, and facilities for up to 30 rental bicycles.

What will be the impact of this project?  

Art changes attitudes, inspires creativity, and brings communities together. We think having an artistic focal point for bicycles in the heart of downtown can help transform the way that people think about bicycles in Nashville. 

The bicycle bus will increase access to bicycles, introduce new audiences to bicycling, and assist city-wide initiatives to promote active living through cycling.

As an art project, the Bicycle Bus will be one of a kind - a visual invitation for people to explore Nashville by bike. As a cycling resource, the Bicycle Bus will make Nashville more bicycle-friendly.

What is a community mural? 

Devised to remind individuals that 'art is for everyone,' a community mural is a community-based visual art project. Designed by professional artist and painted with the help of volunteers, the art is a collaborative effort. 

An early adapter of this style, local artist Andee Rudloff has spent her entire career focusing on this type of community art. We feel that Andee’s style of creation is the perfect way to promote cycling in Nashville. We want to remind people that just like art, bikes are for everyone.

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Brompton Folding Bikes, Arriving Soon

Some bike shop news to share – THE BRITISH ARE COMING! What?  Yes with folding bikes, shipped directly to us, for you.  Why folding?  Because it’s the perfect addition to our tiny garage, and we think once you ride one, you’ll realize that it's the perfect addition to your life too.

Hand made and hard to find, every Bromtpon is custom made to order.

We’re adding a new section to our website where you can learn all about Brompton and build your own custom bike and even order online.

I would say more, but trust me the bike speaks for itself.  We'll have our first shipment by March 15th.

Ride on! (or better yet, Fold on!)

Austin

SE Bikes, New Inventory

How about some details on our new SE inventory? Fresh off the truck, built to ride:

 


SE LAGER: $419.00 (55cm, 58cm in stock)

Designed for riders who think of bike riding as a lifestyle, the Lager features high-profile rims, alloy fix/free hubs, high-end alloy cranks, alloy bars, and Freedom Thick Slick Sport tires. This bike is the cream of the crop of the SE urban series.

SIZES 43cm (650c), 49cm, 52cm, 55cm, 58cm
COLOR(S) Matte Blue, Matte Black
FRAME Urban Single Speed Design, Hi-Ten, Water Bottle & Fender Mounts, Wide Tire Clearance, All Sizes Can Barspin
FORK Straight Leg Hi-Ten w/ Fender Mounts & Wide Tire Clearance
CRANKSET SE Alloy, Euro Cartridge Sealed Bearing w/ Alloy Cups, 46T
PEDALS SE Resin Platform
CHAIN KMC Z410A
WHEELSET SE High Flange Alloy Fixed/Free 36H Hubs w/ Extra High Profile Double Wall Rims, 17T Freewheel & 17T Fixed Cog
TIRES Freedom Thick Slick Sport, 700 x 28c (43cm Bike: Kenda Kriterium 650x28c)
BRAKES Promax Dual Pivot Caliper w/ Quick-Release F & R
BRAKE LEVERS Tektro 289A 2-Finger F & R
HEADSET Tange 1 1/8" Threadless
HANDLEBAR SE Alloy, 23" x 2.5" Riser Bar
STEM SE Alloy, Zero Degree Drop, 25.4mm Clamp
TAPE/GRIP SE Racing Wing Grip w/ SE Rubber End Plugs
SEAT SE Classic w/ Bottle Opener
SEAT POST SE Micro Adjust Alloy, 27.2
EXTRAS Removable SE Brake Cable Clips
WEIGHT, LBS/KG

26.60lbs / 12.06kgs (55cm)

 


SE DRAFT LITE (available in black or white): $329.00 (in stock)

The Draft Lite comes equipped with a fix/free flip-flop hub & high-profile double wall rims. The removable SE cable clips allow for a smooth & clean frame if you choose to remove the brakes. Single speed or fixed, the Draft Lite rocks.

SIZES 43cm (650c), 49cm, 52cm, 55cm, 58cm
COLOR(S) White, Black
FRAME Urban Single Speed Design, Hi-Ten, Water Bottle & Fender Mounts, Wide Tire Clearance, All Sizes Can Barspin
FORK Straight Leg Hi-Ten w/ Fender Mounts & Wide Tire Clearance
CRANKSET SE Steel, Euro Cartridge BB, 42T
PEDALS SE Resin Platform
CHAIN KMC Z410A
WHEELSET SE Alloy Fixed/Free 36H Hubs w/ High-Profile Double-Wall Rims, 16T Freewheel & 16T Fixed Cog
TIRES Kenda Kwest, 700 x 28c (43cm Bike: Kenda Kriterium 650x28c)
BRAKES Promax Alloy Caliper w/ Quick-Release F & R
BRAKE LEVERS Tektro 289A 2-Finger Alloy, F & R
HEADSET Tange 1 1/8" Threadless
HANDLEBAR SE 23" x 1.5" Riser Bar
STEM Zero Degree Drop, 25.4mm Clamp
TAPE/GRIP SE Racing Wing Grip w/ Rubber SE End Plugs
SEAT SE Classic w/ Bottle Opener
SEAT POST SE Straight Post, 27.2
EXTRAS Removable SE Brake Cable Clips
WEIGHT, LBS/KG 27.20lbs / 12.33kgs (55cm)

 

 

The War on Cars, A Stupid Thing

A question from the Atlantic: Can we Finally Declare Peace in the War on Cars?.  Well that was a long time coming! Bicycles are mainstream, and we can now sit back and relish our new found transportation utopia.  Peace at last.

Supporting their article, A new poll from the Cascade Bicycle Club finds:

  • 73 percent of the 400 Seattle voters surveyed supported the idea of building protected bike lanes.
  • 59 percent go further and support “replacing roads and some on-street parking to make protected bicycle lanes.”
  • 79 percent have favorable feelings about cyclists.
  • Only 31 percent agree with the idea that Seattle is “waging a war on cars.”

cred James Yamasaki, click to read 'We Fight Because We Must"OK cool.  One city in America with an advocacy group 14,000 strong has shifted the tide.  That will definiately have ripples that the rest of us will be able to enjoy.  The stats are certainly helpful.

BUT that DOES NOT mean that we have come close to accomplishing what is neccessary for more people to start biking.  The truth is that less than 2 percent of trips are made by bicycle.  This despite knowing that over 90% of trips by car are less than 2 miles (AKA BIKABLE).

YES, it is ground breaking that people have started to accept that bikes are not just for kids, hipsters and lycra clad white people. AND I admit it is ground breaking that cyclists have stopped demonizing cars.  (It's hard for us to accept that we are all drivers).

But just because we have begun to understand each other, it doesn't mean we have anything to celebrate.

The reality is that in most places in America, the choice is not either / or.  It's cars only.  I.E. you have only one option.  You don't have a sidewalk, a greenway, a bike lane, a bus route.  The land of the free has become auto-nation, the land of 20% of your income goes to your car.

I'm glad for someone to declare an end to this 'war on cars'.  War is a stupid thing. Especially when it is with an inanimate object. 

We should not destory cars. We should reclaim everything that they have taken away.

Blind Man Bikes Across Canada

HELL YEAH! Up to 5 hours a day training on a stationary tandem bike with a goal to bike across all of Canada.  

Craig Caucoin, who went blind as a child due to a degenerative eye disease, has big plans for this summer to to 'give back' to the charities that have been influential in his own life.  His long time friend and personal trainer Lloyd McLean is helping with the journey, proving that there is NOTHING that you cannot do without friends ... AND bicycles. Just ask Best Buddies right here in Nashville (they have a tandem program for developmentally challenged kids).

You can follow Craig and Lloyd's journey, "Craig Gives Back" at:

www.craiggivesback.ca

  

Is Safety Gear Detering People From Riding Bikes?

Go ahead and take off your helmet and your reflective jacket. According to research from the Transport Research Laboratory, they might not make you as safe as you think (read). 

Or maybe the real problem is that they make you THINK your are safe.  That's when you become vulnerable.

Your jacket, as reflective as it is, is still only a jacket.

So how do you prevent the accident? Make drivers more aware of cyclists. And the best way to do that? Get more cyclists out on the road.

But people aren't biking because they've been told that BIKES ARE DANGEROUS.

A real fact to start telling people: living is more dangerous than riding bicycles:

Is it possible that our neon suits are just perpetuating the rumor, reminding everyone we pass, "Yep, bicycles are dangerous!" Thanks for turning your bicycle into a high horse and reminding the rest of us 'not safe riders' about how guilty we should feel.

Advocates, beware of becoming like the TSA (no one wants to fly because of them). 

Remember that people not wearing safety gear is not what causes cycling accidents.

 

*Yes, you should wear a helmet, be visible, and follow every rule known to man, but I'm not going to yell at you if you don't.  I'm just glad your riding

Support Bicycle Freedom - Put A Link On Your WEBSITE

Did you know that Nashville has an Oasis, for bicycles? In the past 5 year, local bike advocate, Dan Furbish has taught over 500 kids how to build their own custom bicycle from the frame up. He started the 6 week (12 hour) workshop as a partnership between Halcyon Bike Shop and the Oasis Center.

Having personally run into kids that have graduated from Dan's class, I can tell you THIS PROGRAM WORKS.  His efforts are a testament to the power of bicycle-know-how.  If bicycles are freedom for kids, then being able to fix a bicycle is total freedom.

So, in the hopes that you will support freedom, we wanted to tell you about an easy way to help Dan's efforts ... spread the word.

Put a link to his new website on yours: http://www.oasisbikeworkshop.org

That will make it easier for Dan find volunteers, raise money, and get more kids biking! Ahh freedom.

 

 

Bicycle Astronomy

Longtime sidewalk astronomer, Doug Reiley, wanted to take more people to the 'giant movie theatre in the sky' and teach people about earth in the process.  He created Bicycle Astronomy.  

The idea, funded successfuly last August with $5,000 from Kickstarter supporters, takes a large amateur telescope (essential to all sidewalk astromers), and makes it mobile via Doug's retrofitted cargo bicycle from YUBA Bicycles.

Ask Doug what you get for being a top funder of his kickstarter campaign? "I'll name one of the Galilean Moons after you".  

Well, I wish I had found out about this earlier! 

I just hope his bicycle has a Moon Saddle.

Bicycle Lanes Are No Answer to Gridlock?

According to The Washinton Times' Deborah Simmons Opinion: 'making a city walkable and more friendly for bicyclists might be quaint urban trends'. Do you think? Or better yet, does SHE really think?

Had she really focused on an alternative instead of Reality TV, it might have been better. I think her thought process got 'derailed'?

Urbanization is not a 'quaint trend'. Urban populations are set to DOUBLE by 2030.  We are in fact experiencing rapid urbanization.

That means we SHOULD invest in alternative transportation - i.e. anything but cars (I like to call those Solo Operated Sedans or S.O.S).  We should bolster all of our options - biking, walking, trains, buses, ride-shares. When a city transportation system only has one word in it's vocabulary and that word is SOS, you have to wonder why someone would try to make a case for it?

Deborah Simmons, if riding bikes and walking aren't an answer to gridlock, then what is? If you abandon our other options, the ship is going to sink.

New Research: Bicycles Are For Old People, and Women Too

Bicycles aren't just for hipsters. They're for old people, and women, and kids!

As it turns out, when it comes to environmental, economic and social sustainability, the bicycle is the most underappreciated machine.  

But ... YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. Two researchers from the MIT Press, John Pucher and Ralph Buehler, have published a new book called City Cycling with the facts to back it up. 

"For instance:

  • Biking could help you live longer, despite perceived safety risks. One study of cycling in the Netherlands found that people taking up biking as their primary travel mode "gained nine times more years of life than they lost as a result of increased inhaled air pollution and traffic injuries."
  • Women are more likely than men to express concern about the risk of cycling, although they may actually be at lower risk from injury.
  • Biking for transportation isn’t just for people who can’t afford to drive. "Cycling can thrive in countries with high levels of income and car ownership….[T]he bike share of daily trips is 26 percent in the Netherlands, 18 percent in Denmark, 10 percent in Germany, and 9 percent in Sweden and Finland, all of which are affluent countries."
  • Several studies show that young people who ride bikes to school have better cardiovascular fitness than those who don’t. Plus, kids like bikes. In one Australian survey, 81 percent of students said that cycling was their favorite method of getting to school.
  • Biking isn’t just for younger people. In the Netherlands, 23 percent of trips by people 65 and older are by bike. In the U.S., that number is less than 1 percent.
  • Watch out for guys behind the wheel: "over 90 percent of the drivers who kill cyclists in London…and New York City…are men."