The unbearable dearth of cinematic cycling

Bicyclists are accustomed to being marginalized in the media. Especially the broadcast media, which almost never features bicycling in plots, settings, storylines, or characters. Television news enthusiastically covers every gas price hike or traffic situation affecting motorists, which is understandable considering that a huge percentage of TV advertising revenue comes from car makers, oil companies, tire manufacturers, vehicle insurers, and auto loan companies. Just count the commercials next time you watch.

The print media is only slightly better, for instance with recent articles in the San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor, or the Sacramento Bee. But for the most part, unless bicyclists are killed on the road, impeding car traffic with Critical Mass, or winning the Tour de France, bicycling is largely invisible in the American media. (An interesting exception I've seen are commercials for suburban retirement communities featuring smiling, bike-riding senior couples--bicycling being emblamatic of happy active lifestyles.)

The situation may be even worse in cinema. Generally, when bicyclists appear on celluloid, they are presented as marginal outcasts or eccentrics. In films such as The 40-Year-Old Virginor In & Out(1997, starring Kevin Kline), the films use bike commuting to accentuate the main character's idiosyncrasy. Or the so-bad-it's-hilarious 1986 Kevin Bacon vehicle, Quicksilver, which manages to insult both stockbrokers and bike messengers in one swoop. In The Wizard of Oz, what does the Wicked Witch ride when she's not on her broom? A bicycle (as her Kansas alter-ego).

There have been a few outstanding bicycling films, to be sure. My favorites include the standout classic Academy Award-winning Breaking Away (1979, directed by Peter Yates and starring a young Dennis Quaid), the great bike racing film American Flyers (1985, directed by John Badham, starring a young Kevin Costner), and the outstanding French-Canadian film 2 Seconds (2000, directed by Manon Briand). These films feature bicycling as an important component of personal growth or recovery, and are obviously made by people with an authentic understanding and appreciation of bicycling.

I was pleasantly surprised by the 1985 film The Man with One Red Shoe, in which Tom Hanks plays a bike-commuting classical violinist and composer who, in one scene, heroically rescues Lori Singer using his bike and a two by four.

There are, of course, a healthy handful of foreign films (The Bicycle Thief, Beijing Bicycle), documentary films (We Are Traffic! & Return of the Scorcher, Still We Ride), and animated films (The Triplets of Belleville, Pee-wee's Big Adventure) that present bicycling in a sympathetic light.

There are many young filmmakers out there producing short films on bikes or bicycling. Many of these films are featured in festivals, such as the acclaimed Bicycle Film Festival. I'm generally disappointed that many of these films are overly romanticized portrayals of bike racers or bike messengers--understandably appealing, perhaps, to younger cineastes. These difficult bike professions are important, but they represent a tiny minority of all bicyclists. And YouTube has an abundance of bike shorts.

There are many other films that feature bicycling, to be sure. But for the most part bicycling is sadly absent from Hollywood production. Send me your favorite bike film suggestions.


Visit: Dude, Where's Your Car? How not having a car became Hollywood shorthand for loser, Slate.com
Visit: MASSBike Film List
Visit: My "Breaking Away" Tribute Page, Diablo Scott's Bike Blog
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips Site

Chevron blocks bike path, cyclists die

My friend Anna Sojourner posted the following message to the SFBIKE listserve on October 27, 2006. I think it is a particularly heartfelt and passionate posting, which I share with you here:

Hi SFBikers,

Once again, Chevron protects their profits and people die.

I grew up in Richmond (not Point Richmond, Richmond). Danny Weinstein was a family friend who died with his head caved in after being hit riding legally on I-580, leaving behind two young children. Dan Dolan was with him and is still in intensive care with a crushed spine. Last I heard, he was under sedation and responding but unable to move his legs. The third cyclist watched his two friends get hit and I can only imagine how troubled he is today.

There is no bike path connecting Richmond to the open space at Point Molate, and cyclists are required to ride on the freeway. Despite long efforts, Chevron has insisted that it cannot sign over land to complete the Bay Trail and provide safe bike and pedestrian access to Point Molate.

Chevron says that public access for pedestrians and cyclists is a security risk (sound familiar?) but a parking lot even closer to their docks where truckers regularly pull up and take naps is OK. The State Lands commission (gubernatorial appointees) dropped the ball and didn't push Chevron to open up access when they had the chance a few years ago.

In short, Chevron is asking people in Richmond--literally, some of the most destitute of all Bay Area residents--and cyclists of all stripes to risk their lives to access open space, and Danny died because of this.

It's an environmental issue, a race issue, an equality issue, a quality of life issue and a cycling issue, and now you can do something about it in the easiest, most lazy sort of way. Please read the letter below for the full story. Follow this link to send an email to the relevant politicians. And read the Contra Costa Times story.

Thanks,

Anna

San Francisco Bay Trail
Wikipedia entry on Bay Trail
San Francisco Bay Trail Cycling Guide (Cycline)
Image: Web capture. Aerial photo of Chevron refinery at Point Richmond, California.

Sacramento goes for gold

We need more editorials in major metropolitan daily newspapers like this one, from the Sacramento Bee, 10.26.06:

Editorial: Next, go for gold
Sacramento earns the bronze for bicycling
"Sacramento isn't spinning its wheels when it comes to facilitating bicycling. Although there is much more work to be done, the city, for the first time, has earned a bronze ranking from the League of American Bicyclists for its bike paths, bike lanes and other recent improvements. Cycling advocates and the city's transportation department deserve credit for this national recognition as a bicycle friendly community...We can't rest on our laurels..."

I was fortunate to do a lot of bicycling in the Sacramento region, during my time living in nearby Davis. The selection of Sacramento as a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclist was well deserved, and a real credit to the efforts of the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates.

Among other things, Sacramento cyclists enjoy one of the country's best bicycling facilities, the American River Bike Trail (above), a 32-mile Class 1 bike route from Sacramento to Folsom. In addition to attracting thousands of recreational cyclists, the trail also serves as an important bike commuting corridor, providing an alternative to traffic-clogged U.S. 50 and I-80 freeways from the Sierra Nevada foothills to downtown Sacramento.

A small minority of "bike rights" advocates are known to object to bike paths, or more accurately, multi-use paths, feeling that the proper place for "serious" bike travelers is on the road. However, paths provide an important option for bicyclists uncomfortable with riding in traffic. As the American River Trail demonstrates, paths are often more pleasant than congested streets. And many casual cyclists become bike commuters after developing their interest and skills through recreational riding.

More facilities like the American River Bike Trail would encourage even more bicycling.

Resources:
Inside Guide to Sacramento
Best Short Hikes in and Around the Northern Sacramento Valley
VIA Magazine article on Sacramento and bike trail

Image: Bicyclist encountering a coyote on the American River Bike Trail near Sacramento. Photo by Paul Dorn
Visit: Bicycling along the American River, Manteca Bulletin
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips

2007 Tour de France Route Announced

"PARIS (AFP)--A rarely used Pyrenean climb has been included in the 2007 Tour de France route which has been unveiled here by race director Chistian Prudhomme. The July 7 to 29, 3,547km, 20-stage race, which starts in London, takes a clockwise route around the country and includes a summit finish at Aubisque, one of the mythical climbs in the mountains which straddle France and Spain, it was announced Thursday."

Bike racing ain't bike commuting. It's like comparing NASCAR to the traffic on the Bay Bridge. However, in recent years, success by American cyclists in the world's greatest bike race has helped to raise awareness of bicycling in the U.S. I had an opportunity to discuss the tour and bicycling recently with my friend Douglas Everett, on his excellent radio program, Radio Parallax. You can download the interview here. Fortunately, good editing made me sound almost intelligent.

Usually when bicycling is discussed in the U.S. media, it's because some bicyclist, or more correctly, a person on a bike has been killed by a motorist. It's always a good thing for American bike commuters when the media has lots of positive bicycling coverage. Watch out for those urine tests!

Image: Web capture. (I wish I'd been there!)

Tribulus terrestris: Bane of cyclists

It's that time of year again. The dreaded season of the Goathead Thorn plague, also known as Puncture Vine, or to botanists as tribulus terrestris. The daily newspaper of America's leading bicycling community, Davis, California, the Davis Enterprise, had a great story this week on this painful plant by my friend Jeff Hudson.

If you are fortunate enough to have part of your bike commute on single track, a rural road, or on a bike path where these plants grow, beware! They are noxious. The best solution is to have a wide swath of this brush cleared from these thoroughfares by the responsible agencies, before it has time to produce these thorns.

In many communities, volunteers from local bike clubs will clear the brush. I can't discourage this strongly enough. For one thing, as I've said elsewhere, volunteers are a poor substitute to professional and competent public works staff. Further, brush clearing or road maintenance done by volunteers from bike clubs serves to marginalize bicyclists. It encourages government agencies to avoid taking responsibility to maintain public space for all users.

Imagine if hazardous vegetation near a road was impeding vehicule traffic. You can bet the state or county road department would be out there removing it almost immediately. If a public right-of-way is hazardous, get the governing agency to take responsibility. Bicyclists and pedestrians should never accept second-class treatment.

If clearing isn't happening often or soon enough, the next best solution is to avoid paths or roads where this pervasive plant proliferates. Sadly, I have yet to hear of any bullet proof tires or puncture-proof inner tubes that effectively resist the Goathead Thorn.

I would love to hear of tires that prove effective. Completely effective.


Image: Richard Masoner
Visit: Hi-tech tires for older bikes, Bike Commute Tips Blog
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips Site

Americans' obesity adds to gasoline consumption

From the Associated Press today, 10.25.06:

"Want to spend less at the gasoline pump? Lose some weight. That's the implication of a study that says Americans are burning nearly 1 billion more gallons of gasoline each year than they did in 1960 because of their expanding waistlines. Simply put, more weight in the car means lower gas mileage."

Save gas when you bike commute, save gas when you lose weight bike commuting.

Outstanding video PSA on dooring

This is a great 15-second PSA, produced pro bono for the California Bicycle Coalition by the talented people at EMRL Media Group of Sacramento. At the time I was executive director of CalBike, and hoped to raise enough money to make numerous broadcast quality videotapes, which I planned to send to broadcast outlets across the state.

Unfortunately, objections were raised by a small number of non-visionary cyclists (partisans in the so-called "paint-n-path" versus "effective cycling" battle), who considered the PSA to be harmful. They thought it would actually encourage bicycling in the door zone!

Clearly they missed the point, prompting this response from me: "The principal objection I have since heard from a small handful is that the cyclist is riding too close to the parked cars. Indeed she is. This is called a "plot device" designed to create dramatic tension and viewer interest."

Even more unfortunate was that some prominent folks on the CalBike board of directors were sympathetic to these objections, which is among the reasons I lasted a mere year as ED. But that's another story...

I continue to think it is an outstanding work. So I share it here for your enjoyment.

Zen and the Art of Bike Commuting

I found this amusing graffito on a street corner in San Francisco's Mission District. It's interesting on several levels. First as a rebuke to SUV-driving evangelicals and true believers, posing the question of just what is driving one to drive. Are you really in control of your transportation choices, or is some "higher power" driving you? (In this sense, this graffito echoes the great site, What Would Jesus Drive?)

The second interesting angle is how this graffito gives evidence to the way that artists, outcasts, antinomians, creatives, free-thinkers, rebels, and other irreverents have found a home in San Francisco's bike community. There's a sort of bike tribe in San Francisco, which embraces a broad assortment of expressive radicals or would-be radicals, the youthful and the young in spirit. In short, it's cool to be a biker. At least in San Francisco.

This cultural trend is hopeful. If transportation choice were simply a matter of efficiency, convenience, and cost, then walking, biking, and transit would predominate. These modes just make more sense.

But, sadly, in a culture like ours that offers so few opportunities for self-affirmation beyond vacuous consumerism, vehicles are an expression of personality. Drivers of Escalades project a different personality type than owners of, say, a Prius. (And I have to wonder what morons would be attracted to this vehicular monster. My wife suggests insecurity about sex organ size drives American males to larger vehicles. She's not alone.)

Part of the reason why cycling has grown in popularity in San Francisco--as demonstrated by census figures on commuting showing a 108 percent increase in bike commuting since 1990--is because the bike community has created an appealing cultural home for those dissatisfied by the fossil-fooled status quo. Critical Mass, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, the Bike Kitchen, San Francisco Bicycle Ballet, local bike shops, and many others have all fostered a hopeful, fun, and highly attractive bicycling culture in the city.

Bike lanes are critically important. But they're not enough.

Image: Paul Dorn
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips

Safety considerations for female cyclists

On my bike commuting tips site, I have a special page on safety considerations for women. I had received an email from a woman, concerned about assault while riding her bike. I consulted with several female cyclists I know, including my wife of course, and posted my response.

I've since received suggestions from other cyclists, including from one man who even suggested that female bicyclists get firearms training and carry a gun. I can't think of a worse thing to suggest; imagine a cyclist fumbling to get her handgun out of her messenger bag or pannier at the first hint of danger. I'd bet on the assailant getting to the gun before she would. We need fewer guns on the streets, not more.

As I suggest on my webpage, my approach to possible violent confrontation, in order of priority, is: 1) Avoidance; 2) Flight; 3) Fight (while screaming as loudly as possible.)

I also advise that bicycling is an activity far safer than driving--among other things, bicycling allows one to avoid the rampant crime at WalMart parking lots.

There's a difference between paranoia and appropriate caution. No woman should let fear prevent her from enjoying fun and life-enhancing activities such as bicycling. As famed feminist Susan B. Anthony remarked: "The bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world."

The best assurance of safety on a bicycle is confidence: in your machine, in your skills, and in yourself.

Resources Related to Safety for Women:
DVD: Be Your Own Bodyguard for Women - Self Defense
Book: Fearless: The Complete Personal Safety Guide for Women
Pepper Spray: SecurityRun - Runner Self-Defense Spray
Air Horn: Delta Airzound Bike Horn
Whistle: ACME Thunderer Whistle

Visit: Female? Here's How to Bike More, Opposing Views
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips

The "Always Outdoors" bike

Here's my everyday commuting bike, which is always locked up outside. Living in San Francisco, in a smaller two-bedroom, second-floor flat, space is precious. And the stairs are a challenge for an aging cyclist toting a heavier hybrid bike. Everyday. I'm also puzzled why my wife's six bikes are all safely in the flat, while I have only one at home, two at my office, and this "Always Outdoors" commuting bike. But that's another story...

As I discuss on my Bike Commuting Tips website, securing a bicycle is always a process of weighing the risks, bicycle value, budgetary issues, security options, and convenience. For me, this is the way I do it for my everyday "Always Outdoors" commuting bike. I use two locks, a heavy OnGuard Beast Chain Lockand a Kryptonite Evolution LS U-Lock.

I've been using this combination for two years, with (knock-wood) no problems. I've had a wheel skewer stolen (now replaced with locking skewers), and left a light on that vanished. But my bike has always been there. Vandalism has been an anxiety, but again (knock-wood) no problems. Both my home and my office are in quieter, low-risk areas of San Francisco, but I also ride all over the city to less safe neighborhoods.

I carry these two locks, which are very secure but also heavy, in some Wald rear folding baskets. Some cyclists who use a heavy chain are slim enough to carry it around their waists; but sadly not me. See comment on aging cyclist above. Some companies, such as Chicago-based Wig are even starting to create accessories for heavy chains.

This heavy lock combo probably isn't necessary for every cyclist. And no lock is totally secure. But if parking your bicycle outside is your only option, it can be done.

Image: Paul Dorn.
Visit: Avoiding the Bicycle Thief, Slate Magazine, 04.18.06
Visit: Bike Theft Real, Preventable, Bike Commute Tips Blog
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips Site

Petrolius: The Oil Habit

These symptons are reason enough to give bike commuting a try.
Freedom From Oil

Doonesbury on Realities of Risk

Imagine if the billions spent on the so-called "War on Terror" were spent instead creating bike lanes, bike paths, sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks, and livable street design.
Image: G.B. Trudeau, Doonesbury.com

Carless Escape: Rollin' On The River

"Trail, train make Sacramento bike trip as easy as it is scenic"

As a former resident of the great city of Davis, California, I am well acquainted with Amtrak's excellent Capitol Corridor service between Sacramento and the Bay Area. It provides a great intermodal connection, as this fine article in the San Francisco Chronicle's Sunday Travel section illustrates.

During my time as executive director of the California Bicycle Coalition, I frequently traveled with my bike on the Capitol Corridor between Davis and Sacramento.

Image: Christina Ducklow, San Francisco Chronicle

Wearing helmets 'more dangerous'

"Cyclists who wear protective helmets are more likely to be knocked down by passing vehicles, new research from Bath University suggests."

Few things are as certain to start a cyberspace flamewar among cyclists as the issue of helmet use. The partisans "for" and "against" are vehement in their attitude. I've noticed that in the last 10 years in San Francisco, the percentage of bicyclists wearing helmets has decreased significantly. (Purely anecdotal observation, not empirical.) I take this as a sign that bicyclists feel more secure on the streets of San Francisco, thanks in part to the success of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

Personally, I advise helmet use for kids and newer bicyclists. However, I don't generally wear a helmet on my daily commute. I do wear a helmet for longer country rides. My goal is to create a cycling environment similar to those of Holland or Japan, where few cyclists wear a helmet. Improved safety is a function of tackling vehicule traffic; it should not be the sole responsibility of the victims of motorists. And compared to most transportation modes, bicycling is extremely safe.


Image: Web capture
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips Site

Cycling supporters on a roll in S.F.

"Bicycle Coalition has political clout and backing of public -- but resistance by some motorists is still creating tension." This curious story in the usually bike-hostile San Francisco Chronicle is an interesting testimony to the growing strength of the alternative transporation movement.

A better story might have been on the impact of the SFBC's work over the past 16 years, just what this "political clout" is helping to obtain. Off top of skull, I can think of:

1) Traffic calming: Any reduction in ped/bike injuries? Any reduction of vehicular collisions? Impact on property values? Impact on livability?

2) Retail economy: instead of one whiny merchant, how about looking at new bike shops, retail sales along bike corridors, increase in bike tourism, increase in bike rental business, etc. (these are all my anecdotal observations, not confirmed, but interesting to know.)

3) No mention of League of American Bicyclists recent recognition of San Francisco as a "Gold Level" Bicycle-Friendly Community.

4) Innovations such as the "sharrow", which SF pioneered and have now been approved by Cal DOT for use in other communities. (Might be nice if this article educated motorists about sharrows.)

5) Improved public health: any noted trends in SF in past 16 years that might be tied to a doubling of bike commuting?

I'm a proud member of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, which is an advocacy model for cyclists across the U.S. Organized bicyclists can make a difference.

Image: San Francisco Chronicle
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips Site

My Effort to Clear an Obstacle

Here's my letter to a Bank of America branch in San Francisco, where I encounter a parked Brinks truck on many mornings. I cc'd this to the city Supervisor for the district, and also to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition listserve. I later met with Ken Wilson of Brinks at the site on October 13, 2006. He was very considerate, and I'm optimistic we can find a servicable solution. His concern is having the shortest, least vulnerable path for his delivery personnel. A commercial ("white zone") parking space is likely the best possible outcome.

April 19, 2006

Marcia Zepeda
Banking Center Manager-Vice President
Bank of America Buena Vista Park
1275 Fell Street
San Francisco CA 94117

RE: Bicycle hazard at Bank of America, Fell Street

Dear Ms. Zepeda:

I bicycle past your branch every morning enroute to my office at 9th and Irving. The city of San Francisco has invested considerable resources creating a bike lane on Fell Street, which is an important corridor for bicyclists traveling to the western part of the city.

Unfortunately, the safety enhancement provided by this bike lane is negated by the Brinks armored truck that blocks it every morning at approximately 9:15 am, forcing bicyclists to move into vehicle traffic to pass. Yesterday (Tuesday) as I moved right to pass the truck, a guard or driver opened the right door just as I passed, causing me to swerve into the path of a UPS truck.

I was lucky, just getting an abundant earful of panicked horn blast from the UPS driver. Next time I, or another cyclist, may not be so lucky. Which will likely result in litigation by the cyclist or her/his estate against Bank of America and/or Brinks. I believe there are several alternatives that will prevent a tragic situation.

1) You have a parking lot located off of Broderick, which could be used by Brinks trucks.
2) Brinks could double park on Broderick, which has less traffic to impede, instead of Fell.
3) Brinks could double park on the right side of Fell, impeding drivers rather than endangering cyclists.
4) Bank of America could ask the city to paint a loading zone in front of your branch.

I spoke with one of your colleagues, who directed me to Ken Wilson at Brinks (510-535-4590); who indicated that he will investigate the situation. I write in the hope that Bank of America and Brinks can create a workable solution for all parties. The city's bicycle program staff at DPT and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition may be helpful in identifying a solution.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Paul Dorn
San Francisco, CA

cc: Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Bob Fuller Roadside Memorials

This is a new public awareness campaign, led by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. Check out the TV commercial. It's funny in a subtle, macabre, effective way.

Image: Chicago Sun-Times. Michael Burton heads to day care with his 18-month-old son in tow.
Visit: Is Chicago bike-friendly?, Bike Commute Tips Blog
Visit: Chicago: winter bicycling grows in popularity, Bike Commute Tips Blog
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips Site