Posts

Bike Hack: Bottle Cap Headbadge

Everyone wants their bike to be unique, having a custom headbadge is an extremely easy way to make this happen! The folks at the Bicycle Escape have a series of bottle cap headbadges to do just that.

Happy Friday!

Bike Hack: Cork Barends

Sometimes bartape doesn’t want to stay on securely the way you want it to. Luckily that cork from your previous bottle of wine can come in handy to provide an easy fix!

  • Wrap the bartape as you normally would, stuffing the end of it into your handlebar
  • Use the cork as a plug to keep the tape in place
Got a bike hack you are proud of? We’d love to share it with the world (and will of course give you credit for your idea!).
Advocacy Alert

SLO Named Silver Bike Friendly Community

The League of American Bicyclists recently gave San Luis Obispo the distinction of being a SILVER Bicycle Friendly Community!

The BFC award recognizes City of San Luis Obispo’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. The BFC judges were particularly impressed with San Luis Obispo’s partnership with the Coalition, free bicycle education workshops, increases in the mileage of bicycle facilities, offerings of bicycle parking, a strong community bicycle culture, and many more.

“We are proud of the roadmap that the Bicycle Friendly Community program provides and how San Luis Obispo is using it to build a Silver Level BFC,” said Bill Nesper, Director of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program. “We are inspired by the tireless efforts of individuals and groups, from everyday cyclists to city leaders to build great communities for bicycling.”

The application to become a BFC is rigorous and an educational tool in itself; only 190 of the 490 total applicants received a BFC four-year designation.

Special thanks to everyone in the City staff and residents who help make San Luis Obispo a great place to bike. Next step: another SLO County city on the BFC list!

You can read a little bit more about the announcement from KSBY here.

September 17th FREE Bike Ed Workshop

You have a legal right to be on the road and we’ll give you the tools to make it easy. Our workshops teach traffic psychology and techniques that will empower you while you ride. August’s workshop is held in the afternoon, giving you more time to sleep in before you join us as we share our bike joy and knowledge with you!

When: Saturday, September 17th, 8:30am – 1:00pm

Where: Coalition Headquarters, 860 Pacific St, SLO (map)

Why: With confidence, bicycling is a safe and enjoyable way to travel. Join the movement!

How: More details and registration can be found online here.

Bike Hack: Tube Tie Downs

Being able to carry stuff on your bicycle is a great way to make riding a bicycle the best way to get around. Rear racks are really easy to find (try the Bike Kitchen!), inexpensive, and simple to install on your bicycle.

Most of rear racks give you the ability to use a bungee across them in order to strap things onto it, the same can be done to front racks as well.

  • Find a used intertube (they’re generally free and easy to find)
  • Hook it around the rack mount tab on the lower portion of the rack
  • Stretch it across to the other side of the rack
  • That’s it, we told you it was easy!
NOTE: Before you take off to ride, make sure nothing is going to get in the way of your wheels, this could cause you to crash! Check that the intertube is solid and is properly holding down whatever is on the rack.
You can find discarded intertubes at the Bike Kitchen or at most bike shops.

Video: Eye Contact

One of the best ways to communicate with motorists while you’re on a bike is to make eye contact. This way you can be sure they see you, and you can let them know what you are doing.

From New York’s Transportation Alternatives “Biking Rules” campaign.

2011’s Last Kidical Mass on Thursday!

Join this Thursday for the LAST Kidical Mass of 2011, with a “School Spirit” theme! The ride is open to kids of all ages and is a great chance for parents to teach their kids to ride smart. Bring your friends, represent your school, the more the merrier!

Check out photos from this year’s Kidical Mass rides on our flickr photostream.