Author Archives: Christopher

About Christopher

I moved to Albany a few months ago without a car so it was either spend sixty bucks on the bus every month or ride my bike. You can guess what I choose.

Ci-fi Bike Speaker

Cy.Fi Wireless Sports Speaker

Something that I have been mulling over getting from about when my co-worker told me about it is this Ci-fi bike speaker. According to the NYTimes article,

“For the cyclist who has everything, here’s the CyFi, a compact, water-resistant, aerodynamically shaped speaker that fastens to handlebars (or backpack strap, or stroller). Your phone or music player, nestled in your pocket, transmits music to the speaker wirelessly as you ride along. The company argues that listening this way is safer than wearing earbuds.”

It would be nice to follow the law for once because anyone who has seen me riding around Albany has quoted me the law on wearing earbuds in both ears. Don’t! While this may be true I’d argue that listening to the Beatles with only the left speaker is like listening to Bach with only the brass section.

After I thought about it for a while two things struck me as off. The first is the price. I like this product and I wish that I could guarantee that I would never fall off my bike again. If, and hopefully not when, I do though and this thing breaks, I am out one-hundred dollars. I wonder if the warranty covers it? The second is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to cars. I hate it when cars blast there music for everyone to hear, and that is with four walls, most of the time, muffeling the sound. How much of a hypocrite would I be if I am riding my bike down the street blasting Highway to Hell jamming along with the solo? I think for the money this cost I would have to give it a test drive to see how it really preforms.

One thing I like about it is that it comes in two forms. One that plugs directly into the Apple port on iPhones, iPods, and other Apple products and another that connects over Bluetooth. This is good because I plant to chuck my iPhone next year if it makes it that long.

Written by Chris Belsole

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Filed under Article, Bike Tech

My Commuted Commute

Here is an interesting video from Oikofugic Productions that talks about the problems with bike lanes in NYC. I must have been lucky because when I was down there last weekend with my folding bike I did not see any of this. Honestly I’d rather have these problems then no bike lanes.

Written by Chris Belsole

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People For Bikes: If I Ride

Taken from: http://www.peopleforbikes.org/

I just wanted to bring this video to everyone’s attention. It is a heartwarming video of a poem where humanity is better off if there was just one more cyclists on the road. I would like to add one.

If I ride I will be able to see my grandchildren.

How about you?

Written by Chris Belsole

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Bike Rack Kick-Off Event

Bike Rack Kick Off & Ribbon Cutting
Date: Saturday, October 16, 2010
Time: 1pm-3pm, Ribbon Cutting at 1pm
Place: Café Hollywood

Join the Lark Street BID and the Aurora Foundation as they celebrate the placement of 32 new bike racks down Lark Street!

The Lark Street BID, the Aurora Foundation of NorthEast, Inc., and the Mayor’s Office of Energy &Sustainability are pleased to announce the placement of 32 bike racks along the Lark Street BID corridor from Washington Ave to the Price Chopper on Delaware Ave. To celebrate the placement of the bike racks and the designation of the Lark Street as Albany’s first Green Byway, a ribbon cutting & kick off event will be held this Saturday, October 16 from 1-3pm at Café Hollywood, 275 Lark Street.

Representatives from the Albany Police Department will be on hand to register bikes for all attendees.Additionally, minor repairs and tune ups will be made courtesy of Lark Street business, The Downtube. The event is being held at Café Hollywood which has taken on the challenge of becoming a “green” bar. Their dedication to being a more sustainable business includes such initiatives as using products that will reduce waste and aid in recycling and provide healthy minded food options.

These are just a few of the steps that the City of Albany and the Lark Street BID are taking to make Lark Street a more sustainable neighborhood and to encourage other Albany businesses and residents to become more environmentally aware.

Written by Chris Belsole

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Transportation Forum Highlights

Better late then never, Tuesday the 21st of September there was a forum on transportation hosted by the New York State Transportation Equity Alliance (NYSTEA) which was held at the Albany library main branch. The night started off well because it was catered with food from the Co-op which I don’t have to tell you was delicious. After we sat down, bellies full of good food, the first speaker up was Leah Golby who gave the introduction and laid down a general theme for the night. You may remember Ms. Golby for her support in getting the common council to support the Madison Ave. traffic calming project which passed Monday Sept. 20th unanimously 15-0. After she spoke various people from organizations such as We Act for Environmental Justice, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Empire State Future, and a few others got up and gave their respective presentations about how there organizations are working to improve the transportation problem for not only Albany, but all of New York as well.

All in all it was a good night. Speaking for myself, I enjoyed the entire event because it brought to light many issues that are facing New York as a whole and put everything in prospective. We are definatly living in intresting times.

For more info on NYSTEA and what they are doing visit their website or e-mail them at info@nystea.net.

Written by Chris Belsole

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Filed under Editorial, None, Support the Cause