Started Cycling Again

Jul 11 10

BradLife, Transportation No Comments

After a long delay through a busy June, I finally got my bicycle out and ready to ride.  I am getting in better shape now just riding laps in the subdivision and hopefully get out on the trails soon.  (Link to a PDF version from NIRPC available here.)

At the risk of sounding like a 10 year old being overly proud of his wheels – I present- ‘Ol’ Blue’, my current bike:

Note that it is a shaft drive bicycle – no chain so I don’t get grease on my trousers. Very handy for commuting to work. Note the fenders – I am old fashioned enough that I do not want water and purple mulberry juice sprayed all over me by the tires.

Shifting is on the hand grip. 7 speeds is about the same range as 17 gears on a chain bike. An 8 speed chainless offers about the same range as 20 gears on a chain bike.

Anyway it feels good to get out and ride again.

Other Northwest Indiana Cycling links:
NIRPC Ped and Peddle
Calumet Citizens for Connecting Communities

Bcycle: Bike Sharing and Rental for Duneland Considered

Mar 26 10

BradTransportation , 1 Comment

I saw a presentation by Bcycle yesterday at a Ped, Peddle and Paddle (3PC) meeting at NIRPC.  Bcycle is a self serve, commercial bike sharing (rental) kiosk system.  Each bike has a GPS chip and a built in local map, so you and Bcycle knows where the bike is at all times.  These are heavy, durable, 3 speed cruiser style bikes good for trips up to about a mile.

The idea for Duneland is to put these at the South Shore station so tourists can cycle to the Dunes State Park or the visitor center on US 20 in Porter from the train station.  Until off road bike trails are built connecting the visitor center with downtown I do not see many people using them to ride all the way into Chesterton or Porter. Someday yes, right now no.  Still I think it is a good idea just to get people from the Chesterton South Shore station to the State Park.  I think if people from Chicago or South Bend, know that they can get a bike to ride to the park they will use the train instead of driving.

Places were Bcycle might work:

1. Duneland South Shore station as outlined above.

2. Downtown Chesterton, Indiana and Porter. I am not sure this would work right now, but if Chesterton can make it’s downtown into a dining, nightlife and bed and breakfast spot I think it would work.

3.  Beverly Shores: Only if Beverly Shores wants to attract day trippers.  A Bcycle kiosk at the south Shore station would help connect tourists arriving at the station to the public beach and also to Bartlet’s down on US 12 for dining.

Sorry Ogden Dunes, I just don’t think there is enough within an easy 1 mile ride to make this pay at the Ogden Dunes/Portage South shore station.

I take it nothing is decided yet, but the Chamber of Commerce is considering the idea.

While not part of Duneland, I think Valparaiso, Indiana would also benefit from Bcycles to provide transport between the University and downtown.  There is potential for this in Michigan City too.

Bike sharing, at the right places, can provide a transportation infrastructure that we lack here in Northwest Indiana – literally that last mile of connectivity between public transportation, shopping, work and where we live.  But for it to work you need the right locations and the system needs to be reliable so that people can count on it when they need it – otherwise they won’t use it.

A High Speed Rail Stimulus?

Mar 15 10

BradTransportation , 3 Comments

The Sunday Northwest Indiana Times had an interesting commentary by Morton Marcus in the business section: EYE ON THE PIE: It’s not too late for a high-speed stimulus.  It’s about high speed rail (HSR) and about how a real 220 mph high speed rail network on it’s own dedicated right of way, say across the country, would create more good jobs.

Marcus’ commentary is worth reading and makes sense.  If the government is going to spend money I prefer they spend it on big projects with a plan.  Like the Interstate highway system.  And that is what a HSR network would be, a project a new Interstate system for a new century.

Such a project would end up being public private partnership. It would involve both construction plus production jobs plus all the attendant spinoff jobs. Private sector jobs.  Yes, Martha, it would be long term. We tried the quick fix approach of patching our neglected infrastructure. Let’s build something permanent that we can point to with pride.  Read the whole thing.

What do you think?