Combining Forces

We all know that there has been quite a bit of stir on the national level over the potential loss of funding for bikes, consequently threatening the progress in bicycle and pedestrian rights that has been made in the past few decades. This seems to be an ongoing battle that has escalated with these rights in serious jeopardy. Recent transportation bills presented in congress have stirred the alternative transportation community resulting in the decision by the 3 powerful advocacy groups to join forces and unite for the sake of bike rights.


The Alliance for Biking & Walking, the League of American Bicyclists and Bikes Belong agreed in principle on February 14th to recommend the unification of all three organizations to more effectively support and advance bicycling in the United States.

Here is a quote from the press release regarding the decision:

"The goal is to speed progress in creating a bicycle friendly America where bicycling is a viabletransportation‐ and recreation choice for everyone and more people bike more often. This proposed unification would combine the significant resources of the three groups into one effective, powerful organization with a clear, integrated structure and a single voice."


Do you think this is a good idea? Do you think more will be accomplished, with a single, unified organization?

B-fit, B-green, B-cycle

Happy Friday!

SAFE THIS WEEKEND!

B-fit, B-green, B-cycle



Coming up on 1 year...

  Is

1

Join us to celebrate this momentous occasion!

March 22. 6-8pm. At the Hub

Details to Follow…

Why 30 Minutes?

So many people ask the question? Why just 30 minutes? Why can't you use the bike for as long as you want? What's the point? There are actually several good, and, quite logical explanations as to why each ride is limited to 30 minutes. And, don't you worry. The majority of systems abide by this policy, so don't think you are getting ripped off just because you live in San Antonio! :)

So... Why 30 Minutes?

To get you where you are going- the system is built for quick trips. That is why the stations are so close to eachother. You never need more than 30 minutes to get from station to station. Also, the more stations that inhabit an area, the more practical a bike share system is to use as transportation in an urban setting. Density is key, which is why we are continuing to expand the system here in San Antonio with more stations!

It is designed to be a bike SHARING program, not a RENTAL program. The 30 minute limits help the ebbs and flows of bike denisty among the stations to ensure that bikes are always available to people. If they were used for longer use, then the availability of the bikes and the stock balance of bikes would become drastically uneven, decreasing the convenience and efficiency of the program. Bikes need to be coming in/out of the stations constantly to make the system work. Circulation is key in this case!

Hop on - Hop off like the bus- the system is intended to be used like the bus system, as a form of Public transportation. You can use it to grab lunch, run an errand, or any other short trip to eliminate the hassle of having to get in your car and find parking and pay for it, which is especially a hassle in a downtown/urban setting. It can also supplement a bus trip and get you closer to your destination. Think... Ellis Alley Station or VIA Super Stop. :)

It is reccommended to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. What better way of getting it than using bike share recreationally? So fun. However, if you are more of a marthonner than a cruiser, you can always rent a bike from a bike shop if you want a longer recreational ride, or you can opt in to keeping a b-cycle for the full 24 hours and pay the maximum daily overage fees of $35 (which is comparable to what a bike rental shop would charge you for a 1-day rental).

THOUGHTS???

PS- Anyone else out there have an insight they want to enlighten the group with on this very "touchy" subject? :) Do SHARE...

AND, ALWAYS REMEMBER PEOPLE....SHARING IS CARING. :)

B-fit, B-green, B-cycle

Upcoming Events in SA

***March is full of some great events. B-cycle is the best way to get to them. Check them out...

Upcoming 2012 Events

 March

 

3/10

5:00 pm- 1:00 am

http://luminariasa.org/

3/22/12

San Antonio B-cycle First Anniversary Celebration
6:00-8:00 pm
Central Hub

3/30/12

Fresh Air Friday
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Main Plaza, San Antonio

B-green, B-fit, B-cycle

A Little Friday B-cycle Cheer...

Siclovia

San Antonio began a new city tradition this fall, called the Siclovia. By closing off two miles of the broadway corridor, locals are invited to use the streets recereationally, not for driving. This is an activity that has a long standing reputation and existence in other cities around the world. It is part of our city's initiative. It is especially important this spring with the impending threats to federal dollars for bike and pedestrian policies and such. Let's reclaim our streets March 4th and prove the vitality of bike and pedestrian rights.

For more info: www.siclovia.org

What is a Síclovía/Ciclovía?
A Síclovía is a non-competitive event that temporarily turns busy city streets into large recreational areas for people to enjoy. The street can be used for anything from bicycling and jogging to skateboarding and dodge ball. The idea is to get out, get active and enjoy your community.

This car free day is an opportunity for people to enjoy their city in a new way. It gives them opportunity to ride down a major street on a bike with their family with out the fear of cars.

Along the Síclovía route there are areas called Reclovías. Reclovías are areas reserved for physical activity, exhibitors, performances and activity demonstrations, designed to get people moving. In addition to group exercise classes, Reclovias often include, live music, food vendors and many other healthy events.
Why Síclovía?
Siclovia does a number of things for communities. It promotes:

• Physical activity and healthy lifestyles
• Community interaction
• Families exercising and playing together
• Economic growth in the area
• active transportation (walking, bicycling)

Calling all B-cyclers...

Organize your own team for the upcoming Siclovia and b-cycle free for the event. Dress up, have a theme, decorate your b-cyle, and spread the b-cycle love around. Share the coolness of b-cycle and let the public know what an awesome program it is. We are looking for ride captains for teams of 4-5 b-cyclers. If interested, email: kat.gainey@sanantoniobikeshare.org

 

B-fit, B-green, B-cycle

TGIF!

Well, in a way I guess it was kind of ironic (and fitting) that the TTAT Conference was last week considering all of the updates with federal cuts to bike facilities, etc. in the transportation bill. Our city was the perfect place to host the conference considering our advancement in active transportation and commitment to providing our residents and tourists an alternative to cars. We have come such a long way in improvements and developments to make a multi-modal city where biking is considered a feasible and vital form of transportation, but the federal bill certainly did not assist us in the efforts.  

We wanted to share an excerpt of a letter that Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists wrote last week. It gives a good summation of what exactly is at stake for bicycling in America. You will notice that many of the threatened items directly affect San Antonio and its enhancements to bike infrastructure in our city.

Moments ago, Congressman John Mica (R-FL) announced the introduction of the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act. The proposed bill eliminates dedicated funding for bicycling and walking as we feared, and it goes much further and systematically removes bicycling from the Federal transportation program. It basically eliminates our status and standing in the planning and design of our transportation system -- a massive step backwards for individuals, communities and our nation. It's a step back to a 1950s highway- and auto-only program that makes no sense in the 21st century.

The bill reverses 20 years of progress by:

• destroying Transportation Enhancements by making it optional;
• repealing the Safe Routes to School program, reversing years of progress in creating safe ways for kids to walk and ride bicycles to school;
• allowing states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles;
• eliminating bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs; and
• eliminating language that insures that rumble strips "do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled."”

At this point in time, we can speak up to our local, state, and national representatives and express to them the importance of transportation enhancements, specifically with bikes. We have come such a far way to just give up the fight. Contact your representatives’ offices by email, phone, or mail, and tell them you support steps forward in our transportation developments, not steps backwards.

Write your congressman: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

This is another great summary of what is potentially at stake long-term with the new transportation bill…

http://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2012/02/10-top-problems-with-the-house-transportation-bill/

B-fit, B-Green, B-cycle

Benefits of Bike Sharing... why it makes sense.

So we all know that biking is good for you. We know that it is good for the environment too. But... sometimes it is hard to really understand the impact of something without having the concrete facts, the numbers. Obviously, b-cycling is an awesome way to get around. It is quick, easy, affordable and good for us and the environment, but it can be so much more than that. Here a few statistics that we think are the most eye-opening.

• A short, four-mile round trip by bicycle keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the   air. Guess what average b-cycle trip's mileage is... yup, 4 miles.
• Cyclists are exposed to less pollution than taxi or bus passengers.
• Five billion gallons of fuel are wasted every year from cars idling in traffic. We have already saved over 5,000 gallons of gas in San Antonio in less than a year.
• Those same traffic delays represent nine billion dollars in lost productivity.
• Overall, traffic congestion costs the US economy $78 billion a year. We have saved over $15,000 in less than a year.
• The average commuter spends 50 hours every year stuck in traffic.
• By 2032 traffic delays will more than double and CO2 emissions traced to congestion will reach 60 million tons. We have offset over 100,000 pounds of carbon emissions in less than a year.
• The average person loses 13 lbs. their first year of commuting by bike. We have burned over 4 million calories on b-cycles since launching.
• At least 30 minutes of exercise is recommended at least 5 days a week. Think it is a coincidence that b-cycle trips are free under 30 minutes when you are a member?
• A fifteen minute bicycle ride to and from work five times a week can burn the equivalent of 11 pounds of fat in a year. We know about all of the success stories in San Antonio...
• The average American household spends more on transportation than on clothing, health care, and entertainment combined.
• On average, 18% of household expenditures are for transportation.

Pretty shocking statistics, right? This just further supports the notion that bike sharing is a win-win situation. It just makes sense.


Oh yeah, and according to studies, the benefits outweigh the risks 77 to 1.


For further information, click here!

B-fit, B-green, B-cycle!