ROS State Ed Bldg 5-16-12

Albany’s 6^th Annual Ride of Silence was on Wednesday, May 16 starting at 6:00 PM and 6:30.

Cyclists gathered at Albany’s Corning Preserve/Boat Launch and at West Capital Park/NYS Education Building for a silent tribute to riders killed or injured while cycling on local roads.   The 20 riders were accompanied by a bicycle police officer from the University at Albany.

The slow-paced procession left the Corning Preserve/Boat Launch at 6:00 p.m. and then visited Jose Perez’s bicycle on Broadway at Quay St.  The 12-mile round-trip route then met up with riders near the NYS Education Building and visited two more fatality sites.  We finished up with two flat tires and a refreshing downpour as we cruised in town on Central Ave.

The Ride of Silence, which is held during National Bike Month, reminds us all – cyclists and motorists – to be considerate on the road for the safety of all.  The ride also shows respect for those who have been killed or injured while cycling.

The first Ride of Silence was organized in 2003 to honor a Texas cyclist killed by a bus. Events are now held across the nation and in other countries, including Australia, Canada, and Scotland. For a list of locations and more on the history of the event, go to http://www.rideofsilence.org.

Across the nation, more than 600 cyclists are killed on the road every year.  Local fatalities for whom there are ghost bikes include the following:

• Nicholas Richichi, 53 – Oct. 19, 2007, Fuller Rd., Guilderland
• Diva De Loayza, 40 – June 6, 2007, Western Ave., Albany
• Alan Robert Fairbanks, 72 – Oct. 29, 2006 (later died), Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail and Route 5S, Rotterdam
• Jose Perez, 60 – Aug. 3, 2006, Quay St., Albany
• Joel Melnikoff, 49 – July 3, 2006, Rt. 32, Bethlehem
• David Ryan, 32 – June 29, 2004, Riverview Rd., Rexford
• Robert Zayhowski, 43 – July 16, 2000, Rt. 66, Sand Lake

Ride of Silence 2013 will be on May 15, 2013.

Livingston Ave. Rail Road Bridge

Cycling Is The Way To Go

May 21, 2012 by TU Editorial Board

(NOTES ON POST – A there are several messages buried in this Times Union Editorial which I did not edit out.  The important thing is that there is renewed support for the water level connection between Rensselaer and Albany Counties.)

Our opinion: Imagine a bridge across the Hudson River designed with cyclists in mind.

A 21st-century bridge has to do more than accommodate trains. Sen. Charles Schumer was back in Albany earlier this month — not that an appearance by a senator who visits each of New York’s 62 counties every year is exactly news. He’ll be back again and again, of course, right up until his presumed 2016 campaign for re-election, and quite possibly into his fourth term as well.

But here’s a visit by Mr. Schumer, come 2018 or so, that we’re determined not to miss: when he’s the first bicyclist to pedal over the Hudson River into Rensselaer along a rebuilt Livingston Avenue Bridge. It’s not about Mr. Schumer’s well-known flair for self-promotion. In this case, he would be absolutely entitled to lead the way.

Mr. Schumer’s latest pet cause is inclusion of a bike path and pedestrian walkway in the reconstruction of a railroad bridge that needs to happen sooner than later. It’s endorsed by enough other public officials for a peloton. He’s trying to get the money for a project of a still uncertain cost now, before a more limited version gains traction. It might not be until 2017 before this can be done right.

Mr. Schumer already is lobbying the key constituencies — CSX, Amtrak and the state Department of Transportation. Each of those agencies would be involved in rebuilding a bridge that’s now 146 years old — or maybe replacing it entirely — with engineering appropriate for a very different era. “We have a new opportunity to connect Albany and Rensselaer over the Hudson,” he says. “It would be a serious mistake to do a major overhaul of this bridge or build a shiny new one that will carry the trains of the future, but shuts out pedestrians and cyclists. If we make that mistake, it’ll be decades — maybe even another century — before we could fix it.”

Mr. Schumer knows his history. He notes that for more than 80 years, pedestrians could cross the river here almost as readily as trains could. He’s apparently also learned a bit about cycling, too, since the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, which carried trains from 1889 to 1974, became the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park three years ago. It’s a model that our community should emulate.

A sensible connection for pedestrians and bicyclists is the next logical step in the tortuously slow process of making an asset as great as the Hudson River that much more accessible. A decade ago, Mayor Jerry Jennings led the way in creating a better path from downtown Albany to the riverfront — a pedestrian bridge to an outdoor amphitheater — even if the obsolete monstrosity known as I-787 still stands in the way.

Beyond recreation, a multiuse bridge makes sense. Tomorrow’s transportation policies can’t be replicas of the era of cheap petroleum that is surely limited. Mr. Schumer’s notion of the bridge design reflects the health and economic benefits that could result if more people choose to commute across the Hudson by bicycle or on foot.

The first step is to get the money for such a sensible project. Mr. Schumer has secured $2 million. The state DOT is trying to obtain another $4 million from the Federal Railroad Administration. Public meetings are scheduled on the bridge project later this year. We’ll hope for a big turnout — including, especially, those who will come by bike.

Bike Expo 2012 – Vendor Area

The organizers of Bicycle Expo 2012 extend a big THANK YOU to all our vendors, co-sponsors, and supporters.  We are particularly grateful to the hundreds of visitors who attended the event and supported the vendors.

As we look back over the past four months of preparation, we are pleased with the help from our friends both in the cycling community and in the city government.  The mayor, the director of special events, the city clerk, the chief and officers of Albany Police Department, the Department of General Services staff, the Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability, the Albany Common Council, the print news media, and several radio and television stations all supported us in presenting the second annual Bicycle Expo to the Capital Region.  Several major sponsors provided the funding and in-kind services to expand promotion throughout the community.

Our auction prize donors provided an invigorating aspect of Bicycle Expo 2012.  With our “you-do-not-have-to-be-present-to-win” policy, we had great participation from our guests.  One hundred percent of the proceeds will go toward Albany Bicycle Coalition’s programs in the community.

The Crowd Enjoys Expo

The Albany Bicycle Coalition is proud to have presented such a worthwhile event. This event could be the springboard for advancing bicyclists’ rights, policies, and amenities in Albany.   Albany Bicycle Coalition’s objective remains that of having the Capital District declared “Bicycle Friendly.”

When you come to be Bicycle Expo 2012 this coming Sunday,  May 6, visit our vendor/sponsors.  A partial list includes the following:

• Albany Bike Rescue
• Albany Office of Energy and Sustainability
• Albany Police Department
• Ama’zin Ladeez Jewelry
• Bettie’s Cakes
• Broadway Bicycle Company
• Capital Bicycle Racing Team
• Capital District Transportation Authority/ipool2
• Capital Car Share
• Catskill Cycles
• Crafts of Egypt by Albert Barsoum
• Downtube Bicycle Works
• Eastern Mountain Sports
• L.L. Bean
• Leanna’s Designs
• National Intercollegiate Cycling Associations
• New York Bicycling Coalition
• Pine Hills Neighborhood Association
• SIGMA-Germany
• Tierra Coffee Roasters
• Troy Bike Rescue
• Waddell & Reid
• WAMC Radio
• Windham World Cup

. . . and, of course, the Albany Bicycle Coalition

Raffle Prizes

The event is on Sunday, May 6, 10 AM – 4 PM at the Lakehouse in Washington Park – Albany.  You can enter for one or all of the prizes and can enter as many times as you want for any single prize.

Every guest will get one free raffle ticket as well as the chance to purchase additional tickets:

• $1 for one additional ticket
• $5 for six tickets
• Arms length for $10.00

Raffles and Prizes -

• Madison Theater – two tickets + free popcorn
• On Guard Bicycle Lock
• Price Chopper – $50 gift card
• Bicycle the Erie Canal book
• 7 Road ID (wrist band ID bracelets) $15 gift certificates
• New World Bistro Bar – $25 gift certificate
• Adidas Sun glasses with hard case – 4 styles from which to choose
• Honest Weight Food Coop – 4 $15 gift cards
• Adventures Cycling – Gift certificate for AC membership – $40 value and Set of 8 maps for the Atlantic Coast Route – $96.25 value
• SIGMA Cycle Lights – SIGMA -5 front and 5 rear mini-lights and SIGMA – 1 QuadroX/trailblazer combo
• $25 Cash

The rules are as follows:

• Deposit one or more tickets for the prize(s) of your choice
• You need not be present to win – we will contact winners
• Tickets without contact information are not eligible
• Prizes not claimed within 30 days of notification will not be awarded

Bike Expo Urabn Ride

2nd annual Albany Bike Expo, 10 am – 4 pm, this Sunday, May 6, Washington Park Lakehouse.

It’s all about bringing together people who love bicycles, alternative transportation, sustainable living, and springtime in beautiful downtown Albany.  Don’t forget the Tulips are in peak bloom so bring your bicycle and your camera.  There will be bike shops, food and craft vendors, great raffle prizes, and information booths to feed your bike passion.  We’ll have advocacy groups, bike techs, neighborhood groups, two guided urban rides, and raffles for FREE bicycle stuff and non-cycling goodies.

It’s ride time in the Great Northeast so get off that couch and come down to Washington Park this Sunday.

See what other cities are doing – New York City Bike Expo and New England Bike Expo.

FOR MORE INFO – CONTACT: Ride Leader Paul Winkeller, winkp@nycap.rr.com

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The first annual Capital Region Arboretum-to-Arboretum Bike Ride will take place on May 19th at 9:00 am. (Rain date May 20th).

The Landis Arboretum in Esperance and the Pine Hollow Arboretum in Slingerlands are partnering for a Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club (MHCC) sanctioned ride that will be a 75 mile loop between the two arboretums. Details about the ride can be found at MHCC’s website:

http://webmhcc.org/rn/modules.php?name=Ride_Calendar&file=ride_report_fancy

The event begins at 9 am sharp at the Pine Hollow Arboretum (PHA) office at 16 Maple Avenue in Slingerlands. Riders will bike to the Landis Arboretum where there will be a brief “half time” ceremony and break before returning to the Pine Hollow Arboretum.

This event has been created to raise awareness of the relative proximity of the two arboreta and the work each non-profit organization is engaged in to protect, study and educate the general public about the importance of each groups’s unique and highly diverse upstate New York natural forest landscapes.

The ride begins at 9 am in Slingerlands, and the pace will be in the range of 15-17 miles per hour. Each rider will be provided a cue sheet with detailed directions.

The ride has been scheduled in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of Landis’s Signature Plant, Book, Bake and Artisan Sale. The Landis Plant Sale is scheduled for both May 19th and 20th. The sale is open from 10am to 4pm. The plant sale will feature thousands of hardy and unusual trees, shrubs, and perennials. In addition, thousands of used books on gardening and other topics will be sold. Local artists will also be selling their unique crafts and nature related art. Homemade bake goods will be available to munch on while you shop. The sale is open free to the public.

Cyclists’ purchases will be transported to Pine Hollow Arboretum for pick-up at the end of the ride.

For more information on this ride please contact PHA Board Member and Arb To Arb Ride Leader Paul Winkeller at winkp@nycap.rr.com For more information about the Pine Hollow Arboretum please visit pinehollowarboretum.blogspot.com

For more information on the Landis Arboretum Plant Sale please contact Fred Breglia, Landis Arboretum Director at fred@landisarboretum.org or call 518-875-6935. Visit www.landisarboretum.org for a complete listing of programs and events for scheduled for 2012.

Bethlehem Bike Month Event

It’s not all about the race.

1. Ride a marathon with three time Tour de France winner Greg Lemond at 8 Am.
2. Take the kids on tour of Cambridge between 2:30 and 3PM.
3. Bid on art in a silent auction for one-of-a-kind piece by former pro, Doug Dale.
4. Check out the steller expo all day. Find the booth with chocolate milk. It’s awesome!

More Here, Tour of the Battenkill

Today, amateur racers battle for their place on the podium. I played the official’s role. Told racers when they crossed the center line. Wrote down their number as they were dropped from the peloton. There were tons of flats. One older gentleman had two flats and a tire around his neck. He wasn’t in our group so we didn’t stop.

The course is filled with steep climbs, sand pits, stones the size of fists, and high winds. It will be great to see the invitational race tomorrow. My camera’s ready, is yours?