Tag Archives: biking

Two Great New Bicycling Resources for Albany

Albany Social Cycling and Albany Bike Valet are two incredible additions to Albany. OK, Albany Social Cycling has been around a couple years, but more and more people are just discovering it. ASC started with a small group of riders connected with Matt McGowan and his Freewheel Bike Shop meeting up Thursday evenings in Washington Park. These free Thursday rides have become the place to be for people of all ages and riding abilities, with all kinds of bikes.

Albany Social Cycling meets by the Washington Park Playhouse at 6:30 pm. For the remainder of the season bring well charged bike lights. Its casual. You don’t need to deck out in spandex.The ride routes are well planned. They are leisurely and social. Nobody is racing. Newcomers are made to feel welcome. Many rides visit local businesses, for hot dogs, ice cream and the like.

Albany Bike Valet saw its debut at the Upper Madison Street Fair. It is the brainchild of Albanian Brook Caro. Members of Albany Bicycle Coalition, Walkable Albany and Capital Streets chipped in time to help with this great new free service. The service offers a secure, monitored parking for cyclists at Albany events. Like a coat check service for bikes. Forget about finding a parking space for your car. Enjoy biking to an event and leave your bike with Brook and friends. You won’t even need bike locks and cables.

The Bike Valet’s first gig exceeded expectations, with 47 bikes safely parked. Anne Savage of New York Bicycling Coalition and the folks organizing the Upper Madison Street Fair were a big help making the Bike Valet debut so successful. We heard many folks without bikes say what a great idea it was. Many of them will be looking for the bike valet service when they leave their cars home for the next event.

On October 2nd I joined about 60 other riders on a well planned Park-to-Park Social Cycling  route around the City. I was especially glad to see several new Albanians found and joined the ride. A recent arrival from Oklahoma remarked how much she is “enjoying Albany”. City leaders take note of those magic words! If you want to bring and keep people in Albany, support services and activities like the Bike Valet and Albany Social Cycling.

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How the Grinch Stole Safety

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Safety

[Choir of pedestrians and bicyclists:]

“I’m dreamin’ of a safe Christmas just like the ones I used to . . . (gulp) . . .  (gasp)  . . . YIKES!“

[Grinch:]

“Hey, you bicyclists cut the din, Can’t you see the mood I’m in?

25 miles per hour, Sure turns me sour.

Slow down for schools? Go ahead take my picture – fools.

Pedestrians – talk, talk, talk. Just stay on the #$%^& sidewalk!

I’d rather have lots of grass than those multi-use lanes, Which are pain in the a – -.

There’s now a CRTC, Why? Sure beats the heck out of me.

They want safe roads it’s been said, Just makes me want to hide in bed.

You say you want to cut down on DWI? Makes me laugh so hard I almost cry.

What’s the harm in a little booze, Before I take a wobblily cruise?

The lenient judges are right . . . Even if the perps are way tight.

Evidentiary Bee Aaa Cee ? Get my lawyer, then we’ll see.

Bicycles, bicycles everywhere, Riding around without a care.

I’ll tell you right off the bat, We’ll soon put a stop to that!

No delay for cars is what I say, So get your two wheels out of the way.

E-bikes what a curse,  If I see one more. I’ll need a nurse!

Complain, complain – Oh my head! So what if a few of you are dead?

If it’s too unsafe for you to ride, Then just go over to the side and hide

Oh, you’re such an infernal pain, But I’ll throw in one more shared lane.

Buffered Lanes? Not so fast, How will cars zip past?

Traffic circles they’re all the rage, As you ride through, you’ll certainly age.

Traffic circles and roundabouts, they’re the best. Try to ride ‘em – be my guest.

We design ‘em, you can bet, I haven’t seen one that’s bikeable yet.

Now Burlington it’s the best, Serving as a model for all the rest. RATS!

Four-lane highways they’re the pip, Too bad if you get hit.

No bike lanes? That’s tough, Good old sharrows are more than enough.

Complete streets that’s my scam, I’ll “consider your needs” and then I’ll scram!

Vision zero that’s a joke, Don’t you realize we’re broke?

Broke that is until a new car way,  Causes our minds to sway!

I’ve got my engineering manuals at hand, And they don’t cover your rowdy band.

Gotta problem with Central Ave.? Why that’s the safest road we have!

Pedestrians can’t cross? Oh, too bad, it’s just your loss.

About livable streets you’re free to dream, But rest assured that’s not my scheme.

A ped-bike master plan will calm your fears, Don’t get excited – it’s smoke and mirrors.

Bicycle planning, we do a lot, But our action is mostly “not.”

Many plans on the shelf, Guarded by my elf.

Eco freaks with hearts of Fire?

Well guess what – I’m a denier. Dying from pollution?

Bicycles are not my solution. SUVs now that’s my Style,

I think I’ll go out and cruise awhile. Miles per gallon – not my issue, If you don’t agree, here’s a tissue.

Move all those cars, that’s the need, We let them go at any speed.

Lower the speed limit, Sure… in just a minute.

Bike Lanes with no buffer? Well that’s too bad – you’ll have to suffer

You got doored, Oh so sorry, but I’m just floored.

Cross walk symbols faded away? We’ll do them over . . .  someday.

Here’s a series of Bethlehem shout outs, to all the anti-Delaware Avenue calming louts.

Can’t safely ride to work? Well take the bus – what a jerk!

Hit a cyclist, they’ll throw the book, Just say you didn’t, and you’re off the hook.

Safe passing distance I’ll fight that one, Fight so hard it’ll never get done.

Buffered lanes, now that’s a riot, Don’t hold your breath until I try it.

Are cycle tracks what you want to see? That’s a good laugh for my friends at dee-oh-tee.

Reduce the speed, What’s the need?

Car lane, parking lane, turn lane, more, But for cyclists anything at all is a chore.

You pay your taxes, and we’re glad, But how we spend them will make you mad.

Roads, streets, turns galore, All I say is more, more, more.

Got hit by a car, slammed by a door, Well, that’s too bad – I hope you’re sore.

Albany, Schenectady, Guilderland too, Sorry but we don’t have time for you.

Colonie, Troy, Bethlehem are a riot, Plenty of cars and trucks but no road diet.

But that’s too bad if you want peace, Our disdain for you will never cease.

I hope this tale doesn’t make you sad, But after all, it’s not that bad.

Want to cycle safely on a trip? Well, go to Holland on a ship.

Separated Lanes they’re the best, But not in my plan like all the rest.

We can’t cater to just a hobby, We have to kowtow to the car lobby.

Traffic’s dangerous, that’s a shame, There’s plenty of us to share the blame.

Hey, you guys are really nuts, Get outta here before I kick your butts!

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