Open Bicycle

Dimension of the Blackest Dark

Clark here. Bike zombie apocalypse here at ground zero, Union Square. Send supplies. The UN denied our request for aid. I have seen the heart of darkness, it is cold. Tell my family I love them.

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Cycling “Infrastructure”: Friend or Foe?

We ask local governments for “cycling infrastructure” and take it as a given that to have more of it is to our benefit.  But cycling here in Vienna has led me to re-examine this notion. When we ask for infrastructure – by which Americans often mean a European model of lanes and paths – what exactly are we asking for? And would we like the result?

In Vienna, as well as many other cities with well-developed networks of bike lanes and paths – those lanes and paths are mandatory: In areas where such infrastructure exists, cyclists must use them and are not permitted to travel on the roads with motor vehicles.  The problem I experienced with this was two-fold: When using the paths (which are built on the sidewalks and are segregated from motorised traffic, à la Vassar Street in Cambidge), it is impossible to pick up speed due to the meandering pedestrians, strollers, dogs, and other obstacles.  Slow cycling can be nice, but not when one is late for work, and these paths give you no other option.

But the more serious problem is with the bike lanes on the side of the roads. Like in Boston, the lanes in Vienna are often in the “door zone”.  But unlike in Boston, cyclists are not permitted to cycle outside the lane or even on the leftmost edge of the lane in order to avoid being “doored”. This made me extremely nervous, and I am confused as to how such a layout could have been designed in good conscience. Some Europeans say that the door zone is not a problem if one practices “slow cycling”. But I just can’t get behind that line of reasoning. Personally, I would have to cycle barely above walking speed in order to notice an opening door in time to successfully stop for it.  And if I am forced to go that slowly, what is the point of cycling at all? I have also heard the argument that European motorists are more conscienscious than American motorists, and check carefully before opening the car door. But can I ever get comfortable with trusting my life to this idea? I don’t think I could. Out of the 12 persons I know in Vienna who are, or at some point were, cyclists, 9 have been involved in bicycle-vehicle collisions of varius degrees of seriousness, and that anecdotal statistic does not sit well with me.

My point here is not to deride the idea of cycling infrastructure, but simply to suggest that we must understand what we are asking for before we ask for it. I am not certain whether most Americans – when praising European systems with well developed networks of paths – realise that these systems do not permit vehicular cycling.  Cycling in Boston may seem more chaotic and “dangerous” at first glance, but my personal conclusion is that it is actually overall safer than Vienna, because it does not continuously force the cyclist into accident-prone situations.  I am interested in what others think of this subject – though please be courteous and polite in your comments.

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Rod Brakes Are the New Fixed Gear

I have it under good authority that rod brakes are the new fixed gear. Just wait and see: This time next year, any cyclist worth their salt will be riding proudly upon one of these hi-ten steel beauties – cottered cranks glistening in the Autumn light and brakes mooing soothingly at intersections. What, you doubt me? Well, fine, I admit I’m full of it. But a girl can dream…

This is my way of introducing myself as a new guest bloggerist at Open. I live in glorious Somerville, work in Europe, and love my 1972 Raleigh DL-1 Lady’s Tourist. I am also the author of Lovely Bicycle! and, apparently, a bike photographer. Hopefully my posts here will offer a novel – albeit slightly insane – perspective on bicycles, on bicycle-related products, and on cycling in the Boston area and abroad.

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Humble in the West

Our pal Ben at Freeman Transport just posted a nice photo by Tom Robertson, so I thought I would pass along the great photography.  I felt this first photo was fitting, given our shop is now lining up with repairs and some of the local frame builders are starting to hang out after hours:

Despite above, most of Tom’s work is inspired by things in motion, such as his passion for cycling and the local kick-ball league.  He also portrays Montana in a very evocative, even almost mythical manor.  I’ve never been to Montana, however after flipping through his photo collections, paired with conversation with Ben, its climbed to the top of my lengthy places-to-visit list.  I spent a good amount of my childhood in Vermont, I’m thinking it might be similar in terms of the slower (than Boston) paced, relaxing lifestyle – I know Joshua and I could use a dose of that!  Here is another one of Tom’s photos from his Altered Cycling collection:

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If we can’t laugh at ourselves…

FIX PUSH

DEATH PEDAL trailer 2 By Kareem Shehab from Killa Kareem on Vimeo.

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Bike to work pants…

Bike to Work Pants from Cordarounds on Vimeo.

In the words of Lupe…

“We tryna go up in this club
Show a little love
Get a few drinks
Holla at some girls
Snatch up a pair
Leave outta there
Put some dro in tha air
And then go and get some grub.”

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Death Pedal Trailer

DEATH PEDAL Trailer by Kareem Shehab from Killa KAreem on Vimeo.

I saw this on Zlog… I want more…

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