Careless Driver Penalty Bill

Efforts to have a bill introduced that would increase the penalty options for “careless” drivers who actions cause the death or great bodily harm of another road user are receiving more attention, boosting the chances of having the bill heard in the Legislative session that starts January 17.

KOB-TV story on Heather Reu’s death
Santa Fe New Mexican Op-Ed

To keep pushing this issue forward though, your help is needed.  If you haven’t contacted Governor Martinez’s office about adding this bill to her call list for the 2012 session, please do so today.  Contacting your NM Senator and Representative is the next step.  These contacts are vital to educate our elected officials about the importance of this legislation.  A huge Thanks to those of you who have already contacted your elected officials.

As obvious as the problem seems to us, others have no idea.  Bike ABQ is making good progress so lets help them keep it up.

Federal funding for bike and pedestrian safety is on the chopping block again

Senator Rand Paul has seized upon the very serious T4 America reports examining the woeful condition of our country’s bridges to force Americans to make an unnecessary choice: safety in our cars while crossing bridges or safety while walking or biking in our communities.

Tell your Senators that we don’t have to choose. Protect bike and pedestrian funding against this misguided attack.

Senator Paul’s amendment would also change the TIGER program  — competitive grants awarded to all kinds of transportation projects — so that projects to make walking or biking safer won’t be eligible. The amendment would also redirect a relatively small amount of funding — 10 percent of the TIGER program — into bridge repair. At the cost of safety for everyone else who uses a road, states would gain enough money to repaint a few bridges.

This amendment will be offered on the floor of the Senate tomorrow (Tuesday).

Write or call your Senators and tell them that this proposal will do almost nothing to fix our bridges while making us less safe.

GM Blunders onto Campus

If you are a student looking to add tens of thousands of dollars of long term debt, care little about the environment, and want to lump two tons of steel around campus while paying through the nose for insurance, gas, and parking…General Motors has got a perfect deal for you. Bonus: it’ll make you fat and unhealthy! All you have to do is give up that dorky bicycle that’s easy to use, practically free, gets you some exercise and is actually fun to ride.

In one of the more remarkably ill-conceived car ad campaigns of all time, good corporate citizen GM is heading to campus to actively stop you from riding a bike by trying to make it look like it sucks. Obviously it’s been a while since GM execs and their creative teams set foot on campus. Anyway, I’m sure the campus facilities people will love having to add thousands of extra car parking spaces on campus at $30,000 a pop (who needs more buildings to learn in anyway, lets fill campus with parking structures); and University Presidents will have a little bit of explaining to do when it comes to those end of year climate and greenhouse gas targets… Maybe it’ll generate more business in the gym where students can drive in to go and ride on stationary bikes. Hope there’s enough parking.

In case you were wondering, GM has a fine-sounding corporate responsibility statement – carefully crafted by the best in the business, I’m sure. One sample quote: “As a responsible corporate citizen, General Motors is dedicated to protecting human health, natural resources and the global environment.”  http://www.gm.com/vision/our_vision.html

And if you wanted to send a quick note to Chevrolet or GMC, there are instructions on how to do that.

Traffic Skills 101-Las Cruces Edition

A Comprehensive Road Skills Course
Sponsored by the City of Las Cruces, the Southern New Mexico Bicycle Educators & The Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico

Sunday, October 30, 2011/On-Bike Portion
City of Las Cruces, City Hall, 700 N. Main
October 5 through 25/Classroom On-Line
Upon reservation instructor will provide link to on-line classroom

Beginner, returning and seasoned cyclist benefit from this comprehensive course that includes: on-line classroom instruction; bike maintenance; tire repair; a reflective triangle & ankle bands; and a set of tire levers with a patch kit. Learn avoidance maneuvers and how to ride with traffic. Individuals 15 + years old are welcome to reserve a place in the class. What to bring Sunday, Oct. 30: a bike helmet; a bicycle in good working condition; a pen/pen; riding clothing/shoes; a water bottle; and a snack.

Fee: $25.00  Pre-Reservation required at http://www.BikeNM.org

League of American Bicyclists
League Cycling Instructor
Tammy Schurr, M-LCI #1294
twowheeltammy@yahoo.com

Look Ma…no hands!

“Golden Tree” by Martin Brooks from Ninian Doff on Vimeo.

Bike Lanes Benefit Drivers

Facebook

Just in case you didnt know, Urban Aggression is also on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Aggression/138635652847875

Check it out.

Also, Plan on a Poker Run August 21, 6pm. More info to come.

BCNM quarterly newsletter

Hello fellow Sun Cyclers,
Enjoy the Summer edition of New Mexico Bicyclist
-Downloadable PDF.

For more info on BCNM visit www.bikenm.org

TomiCOG – fixy MTBing made easy

The TomiCOG to make your MTB fixed with just a standard discbrake hub. I know those wheels arnt designed with that in mind, but who cares til it breaks. Anyone have a solid late model MTB frame with disk hubs? Click the pic for the info and to order yourself one

Planet bikes

Planet Bike from Planet Bike on Vimeo.