Category Archives: Comings and Goings

by Lorenz M. Worden | May 14, 2012 · 2:18 pm

Bicycle Expo 2012 Most Improved Event of 2012

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.”

Bicycle Amenities in Burlington, VT

Cruising around the streets of Burlington a few weekends ago, we spotted these interesting city-installed bi

Street Parking Burlington

cycle amenities:

One of several “take back the streets” bicycle parking racks which occupies the same space as one standard motor vehicle parking place. As shown, the bicycle is completely sheltered by the rack and is not locked up on the sidewalk. In a bicycle-heavy, tightly packed city with narrow sidewalks like Burlington, off-the-sidewalk bicycle parking is a real benefit. (Curiously, a scooter operator took advantage of this rack.)
A share- the-road sign that really communicates to both cyclists and motor vehicle operators.
Share the Rd Burlington

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.

Bike Expo – Success!

Albany Bicycle Coalitions 1^st ever Bike Expo was a success. Despite having a tall stack of obstacles stacked against us we did pull it off. We took over a parking lot down at the Corning Preserve and had a great time. The Hudson River Coffee House came down, selling some very good coffee and bake goods. The Downtube also came down selling different wares, and helping some people out with some last minute bike repairs before the ride. They also brought down a Brompton, letting people take it for a spin down the trail. That was one awesome bike. ABC held a 50/50 raffle and the winner Claire donated her winnings back to ABC. Thanks Claire!

The Bike Expo was the first even that had ABC, NYBC, and the Mowhlak Hudson Cycling Club all in one spot. Everyone had a great time on the different rides, and the weather was perfect for the day. I just want to give a shout out to everyone who helped make this event a success! Thanks Again!

Written by Toni Cameron

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Filed under Comings and Goings, Rides

by Toni | February 5, 2011 · 9:21 pm

Why would someone ride in the rain?

“Mommy, why would someone ride a bike in the rain?”

The little girls voice was behind me, still walking up to the door of the Pines Hills branch of the Albany Public Library. The mom hushed her and they hurried inside out of the weather. It was an interesting question, even more so since a little kid asked it. I was standing there under the roof taking a moment to catch my breath, sheltered from the rain, before I locked my bike up.

It caught me off guard.

Why did I ride out in the rain today? I am not a hardcore cyclist. I tend to not ride in the rain, cold, or snow. That weather, goodness, is not really my thing. I tend to go for the sun streaming down on hot roads and tank tops.

I really don’t know the answer to why I rode out today in horrible weather. Maybe it could be because I went on a ride last night for Friday Friday. Or, maybe the library is so close that I didn’t want to drive. A better answer would be there are rarely parking spots on Saturdays and several cars did the loop around the building before leaving. Those all would have been good answers for today, but why would someone normally just ride in the rain?

I rode in the rain today because I wanted to. I missed being on my bike and it felt good to get back in the groove. There really isn’t a reason that the weather should hold me back. Winter is way too long in the northeast to stop riding. Or at least for me it is.

Why do you ride in the rain?