Author Archives: Lorenz M. Worden

by Lorenz M. Worden | March 7, 2012 · 2:59 pm

Bicycle Expo 2012 – Coming Soon!

The Albany Bicycle Coalition is moving ahead with Bicycle Expo 2012– your opportunity to meet with fellow cyclists, learn about new equipment, and explore sustainable/urban living!

ABC Information/Sign-In Booth – Bike Expo 2011

We now have verbal approval from Albany to use the area in front of the Washington Park Lake House just off Madison Avenue at New Scotland Ave.

Date – Sunday, May 6, 10 AM – 4 PM
Location – Lake House in Washington Park
Rides – An in-city tour of Albany’s bicycle amenities and an in-park ride for novice cyclists and children.
Vendors – We will have bicycle groups, bicycle shops, food vendors, and other organizations related to bicycling and urban living.

With this great, central location, we are hoping to attract cyclists, vendors, exhibitors, and visitors to the park – which will be in full bloom for the Tulip Festival (May 12 and 13). We will have access to the car-free roadways for a family friendly traffic skills ride.

This event will be Albany Bicycle Coalition’s main sponsored effort for 2012 and for Bike Month 2012 – a chance to bring riders and families into contact with each other and with organizations and companies involved with cycling and sustainable living.

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Filed under Activism, Comings and Goings, Events, Local Bike Rides, Rides, Support the Cause

by Lorenz M. Worden | February 8, 2012 · 5:10 pm

ABC Continues as an Affiliate Member of the League of American Bicyclists

We just received notice of our renewal as an affiliate member of the League of American Bicyclists .

The benefits of this for ABC are –

Access to LAB’s resources
“Halo effect” of being affiliated with a (the) national bicycle advocacy organization
Possible advantage in Albany later becoming a LAB-designated “bicycle friendly” community
Access to LAB’s insurance program (e.g., for ABC-hosted events and rides, protection for officers)

Albany Bicycle Coalition is also affiliated with the New York State Transportation Equity Alliance.

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by Lorenz M. Worden | February 4, 2012 · 12:57 pm

Gallery Spin – 1st Friday, February 3, 2012

It was a little chilly, but clear and dry for February’s 1st Friday Gallery Spin bicycle ride. Lark Street was humming with lots of walkers and gawkers and some great exhibits. Albany Bicycle Coalition’s own Bob Anderson was the featured artist at the Upstate Artists Guild gallery with his photography exhibit of rescued puppies and dogs. UAG generously made this a 50/50 benefit split between Out of the Pits and the gallery. Bob had some captivating photos of the dogs and it was great to see his efforts in supporting the cause. If you haven’t had a chance to see the Call of the Wild exhibit at UAG, try to catch it (Thr & Fri – 5:30-8:00, Sat & Sun – 2:00-6:00, 247 Lark St.).

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Filed under Activism, First Friday, Fundraising, Local Bike Rides, Support the Cause

by Lorenz M. Worden | January 28, 2012 · 1:23 pm

Albany Bicycle Coalition Supports Hudson River Bikeway over the Livingston Avenue Bridge – Corning Preserve/BoatLauch

Livingston Ave. Bridge - Open

We were pleased to see growing momentum for returning the Livingston Avenue Rail Road Bridge to its original configuration combining train, bicycle, and pedestrian travel over the Hudson. Albany Bicycle Coalition has joined with the Livingston Ave. Rail Road Bridge Coalition and others to support this effort.

As reported in Albany Times Union (1/28/12), Mike Stammel, Rensselaer County legislator, is proposing legislation to give a push to his side of the river.

What are we doing on the west bank?

Bryan Fitzgerald, TU Staff writer reported that Mr. Stammel will introduce a resolution to restore a walkway on the Bridge. For reference, this will connect directly to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail facilitating access to Albnay, Troy, Watervliet, and points north and south as well as opening up Rensselaer County to recreational and commuter riders. This is not asking for anything new as the bridge always had a walkway. The dilapidated walk/bikeway closed in the early 1990s. Reopening the bridge to cyclists and pedestrians will draw tourists. The rotating bridge was built in 1866 and rebuilt in 1901.

A project to replace the bridge has been in the works for years, but has stalled over lack of funding.

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Filed under Activism, City Review, Press Release, Support the Cause

by Lorenz M. Worden | January 9, 2012 · 1:00 pm

Riding on Flapjacks – Ergon PC2-L Ergonomic Contour Pedals

: Ergon CONTOUR PEDALS in Use

: Ergon CONTOUR PEDALS & Packaging

Having been quite pleased with several sets of Ergon’s bar grips, I was anxious to try out their new Contour Pedals. Ergon specializes in products that fit the body and, thus, add to riding comfort.

The pedals come in two sizes (small for up to shoe size 8-1/2 and large for sizes above 9) and cost about $65 (you can pay $80, still not out of line for quality pedals). They have a composite body, large reflectors, and polymer bearings. What sets them apart from other platform pedals is a super large platform covered with “3-M Safety Walk,” a partial inner sidewall against which to position the shoe, a slightly angled platform (that promises to keep the leg bones and joints in alignment), and a 2-year warranty. Installation is a snap – although I had to buy a 3/8” drive, 8 mm hex wrench so I could insure the 20 Nm torque specs dictated in the 15-page instruction booklet (6-piece set, $29.99, Sears).

If you’re concerned about the sleek appearance of your ride, these are not the pedals for you – they are BIG! But, as promised, they are very comfortable, and you can really feel that large platform under foot. I’ve not tested the gripping quality of the 3-M surface in wet or snowy conditions, but I have to believe that it will exceed that of conventional toothed metal pedals – we’ll see.

It’s worth mentioning that this German company avoids that awful hard shell plastic packaging by using recyclable cardboard (see photo). The only “plastic” was a single zip tie.