The Greener Ride

Dear Readers,

This is the fourth year that the Greener Ride has been sharing the benefits of bicycling in the City of Buffalo. Over the years, we've featured contributions from other bike commuters, focused on specific bike routes around town, and shared news and events about bike happenings in Buffalo.

The site is curated by the UB Green Office, so there is often a focus on the efforts of the University at Buffalo. As the UB 2020 plan moves forward, transportation and access to bicycling routes and facilities (racks, lockers, etc.) will become even more important for the campus.

Going forward, the Greener Ride will focus on these issues:

Ride Notes

We'll feature writing from UB Green staff and cyclists in the community--discussing their experiences on the roads of Buffalo and in the region.

Events

Bicycling and transportation events will be featured as they happen. There's a great community of cyclists in Buffalo, so there will be a lot to share!

Tips and Resources

We'll post safety tips and ideas for a better commute around the City. Maps of routes used by contributers will be featured here too.


Of course, we are open to suggestions on content to post on the site. Use the contact information at the bottom of the screen to be in touch!

Ride safe!

More Bicycle Racks on the Way - Sign Up For Yours!

From Buffalo Rising Online:
by Justin Booth

The City of Buffalo's Commercial District Bicycle Parking Program has been spearheaded by Green Options Buffalo and continues to see results. To date, 70 racks have been installed and because of the demand - more are on the way. On May 26th the Council approved an additional $59,000 for a second phase of the program which will equate to another 100 or so bicycle racks. In addition, the paperwork for the federal clean air dollars are moving forward for an additional $100,000 for bicycles racks. So for everyone who was wandering where the rack is they requested - it's on its way!

Bicycle parking is a major factor in whether individuals choose to use a bike for commuting to work or for running errands. A part of our city's transportation infrastructure, secure and accessible bicycle parking should be provided wherever people work and live. With forty percent (40%) of trips people make during the day occurring within 2 miles from where they live and 80% of trips within 5 miles; using a bike for transportation significantly helps households during economic recession and volatile energy costs and reduces the community's need for expensive automobile parking - all while encouraging active, healthy lifestyles. Many trips are also faster by bicycle than by car, especially short trips under a few miles. This means the bicycle is an ideal mode of transportation for a huge portion of the trips we all make in our daily lives.

Our bicycle racks display G.O. Buffalo's unique Blue Bicycle logo touting the "Buffalo Bicycles". Make sure you get your bike rack request in soon if you have not already. You can do so by clicking here.

My new bike

Last week, I started riding my new Jamis Satellite and it is fantastic. After some minor adjustments and growing pains, it's great to ride a bike that fits well and allows me to feel good about the ride.

Thanks to the kind folks at Campus Wheelworks for helping me choose the bike and get it ready for the road.

Jim

Bike to Work Week

Last week was bike to work week, with Friday being bike to work day. I took it quite seriously, riding my bike 4/5 times last week. However, I read an article in a bike magazine, I can't remember which one, that was getting at the point that Bike to Work Week/Day shouldn't be held up in special regard. It should happen beyond the designated week. It should come naturally.

I love riding my bike to work and around town and having a week devoted to the practice is great, but it shouldn't pigeonhole people into riding just one week a year.

Jim

Bike Cities

A colleague passed this article on to me about some of the emerging bike towns in the US. It shouldn't be long before Buffalo is on there! Check out the comments for all the other cities that readers thought should have been on the list.

First few weeks of riding

I've rode my bike to work 5 times now in the last two weeks. I've been through our lone 80 degree day so far, rain, and temperatures in the high 30s. It's been fun! It took me two days or so to feel good about riding physically. Now I've got my stamina back and on Wednesday, had one of the best rides home ever!

To top it off, I just put a down payment on a new Jamis Satellite from Campus Wheelworks. It's a great bike and I'm very, very excited to ride it. I also bought a new Bern helmet to protect my noggin. The bike is different than my current one in a few ways--it doesn't have the"suicide brakes" that extend up on the handlebars, so on the test ride, my instinct was to grip the bar, looking for those brakes. However, the way the brakes are set actually mimic how I usually ride--with my hands on the sides of the handle bars. Also, the gear shifters are integrated into the brakes. That's awesome. I'm also not used to toe clips, but found that they weren't a bother at all.

On my next trip up to Toronto, I'll grab some extra stuff for my bike from MEC. Probably a fender, pedometer and a thermos so I can carry coffee in the morning.

See you on the road,

Jim

A new bike?

I popped into Campus Wheelworks over the weekend to check on the bike I'm eyeing. Although I have yet to ride one, I'm pretty psyched about the Jamis Satellite. After talking to Ethan at Wheelworks, it sounds like it could be the bike for me.

My goal is to start riding to work again this week, so I better dust off my trusty Schwinn and make sure its good to go.