Why Do You Bike?

MassBike is calling for stories related to cycling, if you have an awesome one they will give you prizes!

I also saw a link to this infographic there.

(source)

I think it sums up some good reasons to ride your bike, but we all know the main one (and the one that is missing from this infographic), its super fun!

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Bicycle Giveaway!

The good folks at Lovely Bicycle are giving away another bike!

Lovely Bicycle is giving away a beautiful Pilen city bike. The Pilen Lyx is a traditional, heavy duty bicycle from Sweden, featuring cro-moly “swan” frame construction, 700C Schwalbe Big Apple tires, fenders, upright handlebars, and dynamo lighting. The size is suitable for persons 5’7″ or taller. Deadline for entry is Sunday, June 26th. For contest details, see here

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Designing The 21st Century Street

I know this is in New York City, but come on a $6,000 prize to create the post-automobile streets! Thats real money. Lets show them that we here in Boston got some smahts as well.

Transportation Alternatives yesterday announced the launch of “Designing the 21st Century Street,” an open design competition that will challenge New Yorkers to safely accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, trucks and cars on the same “complete street” – something that still eludes New York City street design. Those interested in entering must register by July 18th and submit their entries by August 18th.

“Cities in the 21st Century are competing to be the greenest, most livable, most sustainable places possible, and we can’t do that until we have better streets,” says Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “This design competition is about unleashing the talent of New Yorkers and developing those streets today.”

The competition focuses on the intersection of 4th Avenue and 9th Street in Brooklyn, a dangerous crossing that divides surrounding neighborhoods and inhibits street life. Competitors must re-imagine this intersection as a healthy, safe and sustainable street that serves pedestrians and bicyclists first, while functioning as a transit hub and truck route.

The jury includes artists, architects, City commissioners and local residents with a fierce interest in seeing their neighborhood streets become safer and more vital. In particular, the expertise of Danish planner, Jan Gehl, and former NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz will ensure the viability of finalists as a potential template for New York City’s unique streets.

The competition is open to the entire public. Entrants ranging from local students to career city planners are encouraged to submit designs. Prizes range from $2,000 to $6,000, thanks to the generous support of a Brooklyn business owner, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Entrants can learn more about the competition and submit entries at www.21stCenturyStreet.org.

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Core77 One Hour Design Contest: Theft Proof Bike

Core77 a design website and Harris Cyclery (home to the late Sheldon Brown) have teamed up to offer a $200 reward if you can design a theft proof cycle. This is an interesting contest and I will be eager to see what people come up with.

Don’t miss out! Win a $200 gift certificate at Harris Cyclery.

We all remember when our first Huffy was stolen. The realization that some lazy-eyed cretin had stripped away our freedom all for the purpose of a 15 minutes joy ride hit us like a ton of bricks. Maybe that was just me, but no one can argue that bike theft is rampant. A recent discussion on the Core77 Blog about a Biomega bike that attempts to turn the whole bike into the bike lock is the inspiration for our latest 1HDC incarnation. Can you design a better bike lock in one hour or less? Push aside that looming deadline and pick up your Sharpies…it’s 1HDC time again! What can you bring to the table to prevent more Huffy Heartache?

Last Call:
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
1PM PST (8 GMT)

Theme:
Theft Proof Bicycles

JURY:
Winner will be selected by the Core77 Admin. Community discussion is encouraged to help ensure the best design wins.

>>>CLICK TO ENTER YOUR SUBMISSION<<<

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Design A Bike Rack Contest

Deadline: Thursday, April 3, 2008

Eligibility: Open to professional artists/designers based in Massachusetts. Art/design students
may also apply for this project.

Budget: Total, all-inclusive bike rack budget including design, fabrication and installation is
$7,500.

Mission Hill Main Streets (MHMS) invites qualifications for the design, fabrication and installation of a multiple-unit bicycle rack. Funding for one bike rack is currently available, but a replicable design for potential fabrication of additional racks is desired. A youth component will be integrated in the development of the project. The location of the bicycle rack will be selected in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston prior to proposal development.

Key considerations:
• Reference the character, history, fabric of the local community
• Environmentally friendly design which may include use of recycled or salvaged materials
• Durability
• Easy maintenance

The Racks of Art project is intended to create beacons asserting community character while
increasing bike parking to support and encourage bicycle use. Site-specific design will be the
result of a collaborative effort between the artist/designer and members of the Mission Hill
community, including youth. Bike racks will be structurally sound, positive in their message,
and be able to accommodate several bikes.

The goals of the project are to:
• Increase bike parking so that cyclists are not forced to lock their bikes to sign poles, trees
or fences. With additional bike racks, people will be more likely to ride bikes, knowing that
they will have secure places to lock their bikes.
• Enliven the streetscape with functional public art. Showcase art on the street for people
to enjoy for free without going to a gallery or museum.
• Stimulate the local economy by enhancing the appearance of business districts and
cultural centers, creating additional incentive for people to frequent the area. Local artists
will design and fabricate the bike racks.
• Promote physical activity as a result of the desire to use the artful bike racks.
• Alleviate environmental problems by encouraging the use of bicycles as a means of
transportation rather than relying upon fossil fuel-consuming vehicles.
• Develop a model for communities to add public art / bike parking to enhance the character
of their business districts and cultural centers.

These unique bike racks will be destinations in close proximity to where people work, learn,
shop, eat, and drink. Racks of Art will encourage people to make their commute via bicycle;
thereby saving fuel, alleviating traffic, and helping people maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Proposed locations for bike racks are also close to bike paths/routes, which will allow people
to visit these works of art safely. Once the bike racks are in place, we plan to create road
maps showing locations of artful bike racks for residents and visitors to explore the city and
see some public art of the highest quality.

Racks of Art will be a cultural product that reflects the spirit of the vibrant Mission Hill
community. The project also serves as a vehicle to provide visibility to local artists’ creative
talent.

More Info Here
. (pdf)

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