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NYC Bike Share Crowdsourcing

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Perhaps one of the best parts of the newly announced New York City bike share system is the way they are using crowdsourcing to make it serve the public as best as possible. You can go onto the NYDOT website, and suggest a place you would like to see a bike station, allowing them to then be voted on, creating a bike share program supported by the people who will use it!

New York’s announcement included the specifics of a system with 10,000 bicycles and 600 stations (!)… so start planning your trip to New York to check it out next year.

Designing a system that’s big enough is key to it’s success. If there aren’t enough stations or bikes, it’s not easy enough for people to pick up and drop off bikes. In it’s first year, Capital Bikeshare (in Washington DC) far exceeded the expectations, reaching 1,000,000 rides!

With over 1,100 bicycles at 110 stations, and 18,000 registered users (you don’t need to be registered to use it), it’s currently the largest in the country, soon to be outdone by New York. The Coalition used it as our main form of transportation when we were at the National Bike Summit in March, and it was amazing!

October is Rideshare Month

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Rideshare has plenty of reasons for you not to drive solo on your commute, throughout the entire month you can be rewarded by choosing a new option! Every week they are giving away $100 prizes to people for logging their commutes, and more prizes each day.

Transit Tuesdays. Carpool Wednesdays. Vanpool Thursdays. Bike Fridays… there’s something for everyone! Bike Fridays are complete with bike breakfasts and bike happy hours, and other perks for riding your bike throughout the month. We are hosting a free mini Bike Ed workshop on October 11th from 6:00 – 7:00pm at the Coalition HQ, to help people feel confident riding their bike on their commute.

Volunteer!

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The Coalition has a few volunteer chances in October, and with our regularly scheduled programs. New sign-ups are online to make it even easier for you to get involved!

Next up is the SLO Bike Rodeo on Saturday October 8th from 10:00 – 2:00. We hope to see you there!

Bike Hack: Bottle Cap Headbadge

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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.

SLO Bike Rodeo, October 8th

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We’ll be helping out with the SLO Bike Rodeo this year, doing helmet and safety checks for everyone involved. Join us for the safety town ride to polish your bike skills, a downtown group ride (like a Kidical Mass!) and a BMX stunt show. It’s sure to be a good time, and is free for all kids!

When: Saturday October 8th, 10:00am – 3:00pm

Where: Emerson Park, San Luis Obispo (map)

More information on the City of San Luis Obispo Parks & Recreation website.

Happy Friday!

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Know the Board: Tyler

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What do you do to pay the bills? I am the Server Administrator for a local Engineering/Manufacturing firm. 

What kind of riding do you do? How often? I ride and race road, mountain, cyclocross as well as commute. I am on the bike 15+ hours a week. 

What do you think the most important thing the Coalition has done in SLO County? I feel there are two things: develop a positive solid relationship with the public agencies and cyclists, and raise the level of awareness about how great cycling can be as a means of transportation and not just recreation. 

What advice do you have to encourage others to get on their bicycles? It is as easy as it was when you were a kid, but it offers so many more things as an adult. 

What’s your favorite thing about bicycles? The versatility that it provides. I am hooked on the bike and the fact that I can do so many variations of one passion always amazes me. I can pick a different bike, ride a different route and it is always a blast.

If you had to name your favorite bicycle, what would you name it? When I usually have a name for my bike it is when I am suffering on some ride and it’s generally not family friendly so lets just say “bike.” 

Anything else you want to share? The bicycle is so many things to so many people, but this one object can connect all of us in such a positive way. When you pass by a complete stranger and ring a bell or wave, it is like they are a friend. Not many things do that anymore and I feel lucky that I can be part of it. 

Kidz Ride Paso, October 1st

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Join the Coalition as we get kids out on bikes in Paso Robles this Saturday! Kids and their parents can “take to the road” on a course through the park to try out their new safety skills. Event includes bike & helmet safety checks, all kids get a goodie bag for participating!

When: Saturday October 1st, 12:00 – 5:00 pm

Where: Larry Moore Park, off S. River Road, Paso Robles (map)

More information is on the City of Paso Robles website.